‘It’s waiting for you to give it one, Tommy. The same goes for you, too, Nancy.’

Nancy climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. ‘How do I know which one is mine?’

‘You look for the one that shines the brightest and remember it’s shining just for you.’

Nancy yawned. ‘I like the sound of that. Will you tell us a story about the stars?’

Rosalind lowered her voice and started to make up a story about two stars who could not get on together and kept arguing. At first Tommy asked questions every time she stopped for breath, but gradually his breathing grew more regular and his eyes closed. Rosalind looked from one rosy face to the other and smiled to herself – they were both sound asleep. She would have to remember where she left off the star story because Tommy would be sure to put her right if she forgot. Dolly was also asleep and Rosalind adjusted her blouse before standing up and extinguishing all the candles except one. She understood Tommy’s night terrors and she insisted that a candle was always left burning in the children’s room, although it had to be placed away from draughts and anything flammable.

She left the nursery and was on her way to her own room when Alexander waylaid her.

‘I just wanted to say goodbye in private, Rosie. You and I know that we’re behaving as honourably as we can in this situation, but I think Aurelia is suspicious.’

‘Yes, I agree.’

‘I won’t stay in Cornwall a minute longer than necessary.’

‘Alex, if it would make things easier for you I would understand if you decided to live at Trevenor. If you’re really going to run the business it would be the sensible thing to do.’

He smiled and brushed a stray lock of hair back from her forehead. ‘When did I ever do the sensible thing, Rosie? My brother has let you down and I’m going to protect you and Dolly, no matter what. If Bertie decides to leave the army and return home, I’ll move on, although it will break my heart to do so.’

‘We will have to part sooner or later, Alex. I don’t want it any more than you do, but we both know that we can never be together. My rational mind tells me that you ought to leave and find someone you can love, but my heart begs you to stay, which is very selfish.’

He leaned towards her and claimed her lips in a kiss that threatened to overwhelm her, but a whimper from Dolly made her pull away. ‘Good night, Alex. I might not be up when you leave in the morning.’