‘There’s a fire in the drawing room, sir.’ Jarvis pitched his weight against the door as the wind tried to prevent it from closing. ‘It’s a wild night.’

‘Thank you for waiting up for me, Jarvis,’ Rosalind called over Alexander’s shoulder as he headed for the drawing room.

Hester appeared to be asleep in a comfortable chair by the fire, but she leaped to her feet. ‘Rosie, are you all right?’

Alex laid Rosalind down on the sofa. ‘Mother and baby doing well, Hester.’ He propped two cushions behind Rosalind’s head.

‘I’m being spoiled, Hester,’ Rosalind said sleepily. ‘Come and look at my beautiful daughter.’

Hester was on her feet in an instant. ‘May I hold her, Rosie?’

‘Of course you may. You cared for me when I was a baby. Now you can show me how to look after Adela.’

Hester cradled the baby in her arms. ‘Adela is a pretty name, and she’s going to be a beauty when she grows up. I can see it now.’

‘She’s a lovely little doll,’ Alexander said, smiling. ‘I will always think of her as my little Dolly.’

Hester glared at him. ‘Don’t repeat that in front of her father.’

‘I was there at her birth, Hester. I think that gives me the right to be a proud uncle. One day Dolly Blanchard will make her mark on the world. I don’t care what my brother says. He should have been here. There’s no excuse for neglecting his wife and child.’

‘What’s all that commotion?’ Hester cradled Dolly in her arms as she moved to open the door. ‘Alex, you’d best go and see. Jarvis never raises his voice.’

Alexander was halfway to the door when Ralph Lambert strode into the room, his felt hat limp and dripping with rainwater, as was his caped greatcoat.

‘I know it’s late, but there’s something you ought to know, Mrs Blanchard.’

Rosalind dragged herself to a semi-recumbent position. ‘Why are you here?’

‘I’m asking you to leave,’ Alexander said icily. ‘If you don’t I will have to eject your forcibly.’

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Captain. I should inform you that I’ve been working undercover for the Metropolitan Police for the last six months.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Rosalind said faintly. ‘You were our steward.’

‘I was investigating a series of crimes committed over many years, Mrs Blanchard. I came to tell you that your husband has been arrested and is currently in prison awaiting trial.’

Chapter Nineteen

The baby began to cry and Hester stepped forward, chin out and an aggressive set to her jaw. ‘What are you talking about, Lambert? Are you out of your mind?’

‘No, ma’am. What I said is true. Mr Blanchard has been pursuing illegal activities.’