‘It isn’t the done thing to have Alex living here while Piers is away,’ Aurelia said as she admired her reflection in one of the long mirrors that adorned the walls of the drawing room. ‘Grandmama is quite shocked by it, and I think that Alex still has feelings for you, Rosie.’ She tied the ribbons on her bonnet in a jaunty bow. ‘How do I look?’

‘Very elegant,’ Rosalind said automatically. ‘Just one thing, Aurelia. I don’t want you spreading gossip about me and your brother. I’m very fond of Alex and I think he returns the affection, but we are both loyal to Piers, no matter what he’s done.’

Aurelia turned to her with a bright smile. ‘I wasn’t suggesting anything untoward, Rosie. But it would be obvious to anyone that Alex hasn’t forgotten that you two were once engaged.’

‘Almost engaged,’ Rosalind added hastily. ‘It was never official and we both realised our mistake in the nick of time.’

‘Then you were together all that time in a creepy château in France last Christmas. It must have been very romantic.’

‘Aurelia, you are letting your imagination run away with you. It was a horrible place and we were trapped there because Piers was so ill, and Alexander couldn’t walk. I don’t know why you think that was romantic. It was all I could do to look after them both.’

‘Nevertheless, you need to be very careful where Grandmama is concerned. She is very sharp and she is also suspicious. She will do anything she can to preserve the family name, and a scandal like this has put her very much on guard. I pity the magistrate if she manages to get an interview with him.’

Jarvis appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat. ‘Your carriage awaits, Miss Aurelia.’

‘I don’t know when I’ll be back, Rosie.’

‘Send a message if you’re going to be out after dark. You know your grandmama will worry if you don’t arrive in time for dinner.’

‘I’m sure Sir Michael will send me home in his carriage. Try not to let Grandmama bully you, Rosie.’ Aurelia left the room, trailing her fur-trimmed velvet cape carelessly across the floor.

That evening at dinner Lady Pentelow was visibly angry. Piers had refused to see either of them and she seemed to be taking her frustration out on Alexander. She snapped at him several times during the meal, and she was annoyed that Aurelia had sent a message informing them that she was staying at Greystone Park for dinner, despite the fact that Sir Michael had promised to send her home in his carriage.

‘I’m let down by all my grandchildren,’ she said bitterly.

‘The prison isn’t the sort of place that your grandson would wish you to enter, Lady Pentelow,’ Hester said calmly. ‘Piers was probably thinking of your wellbeing.’