Hester filled a cup with tea from the pot and handed it to Rosalind. ‘Sit down, poppet, and drink your tea. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.’

‘There’s something you’re not telling me, Alex.’ Rosalind held his gaze. ‘I know by your face that you’re keeping something from me.’

‘Gurney said that Piers had packed two saddlebags. It looks as if he expected to be away for some time. I’m sorry, Rosie.’

‘That’s not all, is it? You’re a poor liar, Alex.’

‘It’s probably village gossip, but Gurney said that Ralph Lambert had been seen drinking in the village inn last evening, and Lambert was boasting about getting even with the Blanchards. It may be nothing, which is why I didn’t choose to tell you.’

‘Piers had to dismiss Lambert because he was treating the tenants so badly. Anyway, I don’t think Piers would be intimidated by a man like him. There must be something much more important to drag him away, particularly now.’

Alex laid his hand on hers as it rested on the table. ‘There must be a logical explanation, Rosie. You should try to get some rest.’

Rosalind nodded tiredly. ‘I know, but I won’t sleep a wink. Something is wrong – I can feel it.’

Piers did not return that night nor the next day. Felicia and Claude were sympathetic but they had to leave for Italy and Rosalind assured them that there was nothing they could do, even if they postponed their departure for a day or two. Alexander and Walter rode round the area making tactful enquiries but no one had seen Piers, and Ralph Lambert had left the inn. Rosalind sent a messenger to Trevenor with a note for Piers and another for Lady Pentelow, but he returned with a brief letter from her ladyship saying that she had not seen Piers since his last business trip. She also added that Pedrick had been asking when Mr Blanchard would next visit the mine as he had urgent matters to discuss.

Walter was due to return to university, although he offered to stay until Piers chose to return home, but Rosalind insisted that he should continue his studies, and somewhat reluctantly he left the next day. Rosalind and Louise waved him off before making their way to the schoolroom.