Rosalind smiled fondly at her daughter. ‘She will be christened Adela, but I think she’ll always be Dolly to me.’ She looked up at the sound of the door opening and Alex walked into the room, but was met halfway by Hester.

‘You can’t come in here now, Alexander.’

‘I held her hand while she was giving birth, Hester. Surely I can see her for a while. I won’t tire her out, I promise.’

‘That’s not the point.’ Hester barred his way. ‘You are not her husband. Your position in this household will be in question now.’

‘Hester, don’t.’ Rosalind spoke more sharply than she had intended. ‘I’m sorry, but Alex is right. I don’t think I could have borne the pain if he hadn’t been there to give me courage. Please let him stay for a while.’

‘I’ll turn a blind eye this once, but you two will have to be careful. It was one thing for Alexander to stay here while Piers was at home, but the gossips will delight in spreading malicious stories about your relationship if your husband is convicted and kept in prison. Do you want to ruin the family name?’

‘I don’t care what people say,’ Rosalind said tiredly.

‘You will care when you find that Adela is cold-shouldered by society. You have a child to think of now, Rosie.’ Hester glared at Alexander. ‘If Adela was your daughter, would you want her to be the centre of scandalous tittle-tattle?’

‘I need to speak to Rosie alone. Give me five minutes, Hester, and I will do exactly as you say.’

‘Yes, Hester. Please do as Alex asks.’ Rosalind met Hester’s worried look with a warm smile. ‘I know you mean well, but please leave us. Then I promise I’ll go to bed.’

‘All right,’ Hester said grudgingly. ‘Five minutes and then Alexander can carry you upstairs to your room. It’s surprising how well a lame man can manage stairs if he puts his mind to it.’ Hester stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

‘She knows,’ Rosalind said in a low voice. ‘I always suspected that she knew you slept in my bed on New Year’s Eve.’

‘Hester isn’t the problem, Rosie. I don’t care what she thinks. All I care about is you and little Dolly.’

‘I don’t want Hester to think ill of you, Alex. She’s a good person and I trust her implicitly.’