‘I’d rather remember you like this, Rosie. One day I hope and pray I’ll be able to tell you that I love you without fear of creating a scandal that will ruin both families. I’ll do what I have to in Cornwall and I want you to take care of yourself and little Dolly.’ He bent down to kiss Dolly on the top of her downy head. ‘Sleep well, little one.’ He turned on his heel and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the familiar scent of him in his wake. Rosalind sighed and continued on her way to her bedchamber, alone except for her small daughter.

The days that followed Alexander’s departure with his grandmother and their servants might have proved too much to bear but for Aurelia, and Patricia’s imminent wedding. Rosalind had not been consulted in the preparations at the start, but she found herself being drawn into them whether she wanted to help or not. Christina was more interested in her engagement to Oscar, but her plan to outsmart Patricia with arrangements to have her nuptials first met opposition from her father and from Glorina Cottingham. Christina did not approve of her friend living at Greystone Park before the wedding, but Patricia had staked her claim and nothing and no one was going to make her back down and return to Rockwood. However, she found herself lacking the guidance of an older woman and it was to Rosalind that she turned whenever problems arose. Aurelia was only too pleased to be involved, and the fittings for the wedding dress, the bridesmaids’ gowns and Patricia’s extensive trousseau were all conducted at Rockwood. There was a constant stream of carriages or delivery vehicles every day, so Patricia might as well have moved home, for the amount of time she spent there. However, she was not going to stay away from her fiancé any longer than necessary and Sir Michael himself seemed quite happy with the arrangement.

Sylvia was the chief bridesmaid and this caused a little tension with Aurelia, who did not appreciate being second best in anything, but she was forced to acknowledge that Sylvia had a prior claim. They were the only attendants, due mainly to the short amount of time between the announcement and the actual ceremony, but Patricia had to admit that she lacked female friends, having always preferred male company. However, she decided that Nancy was to be flower girl and Tommy could be a page. Nancy was thrilled, but Tommy had to be bribed with a promise of riding lessons from Hudson and a wooden fort for his lead soldiers. All this caused a flurry of activity, with more fittings, and a miniature military uniform was ordered from London in the hope that it would fit Tommy.