‘I do believe you, Piers. I don’t want to leave you in this awful place. Please collaborate with the authorities so that we can get you out of here.’

Alex shook his head. ‘I can hear the warder approaching, Piers. Stop being a stubborn fool and agree to do what your wife asks.’ He put his hand in his pocket and drew out a leather pouch that jingled convincingly as he dropped it onto the bed. ‘There’s enough money there to get you tidied up for your court appearance.’

‘Thank you.’ Piers buried his head in his hands. ‘I’m grateful, but please don’t come here again, and I don’t want to see you at the trial, Rosie. Remember the good days, if you can.’

Before Rosalind could speak the door opened and the warder beckoned to them. ‘Time’s up. You have to leave now.’

‘Take care of her, Alex,’ Piers mumbled as the warder ushered them out, slammed the door and turned the key in the lock.

Alexander placed a protective arm around Rosalind’s shoulders as they retraced their steps through the foul-smelling corridors to the main entrance.

Rosalind took a deep breath of fresh air as she stepped outside. ‘That is the most horrible place imaginable. I hate seeing him like that, no matter what he’s done.’

‘I know, Rosie. Try to put it out of your mind, if you can. We have a good lawyer to speak up for him and I’ll attend the trial.’

‘I want to be there.’

‘You heard what Piers said. He doesn’t want you to witness his humiliation, and I for one can understand that. You should honour his wishes.’

‘I suppose so, but you’ll tell me everything?’

‘Yes, I promise I will.’ Alexander handed her into the waiting carriage. ‘Home, Gurney.’ He climbed in beside her and she laid her head on his shoulder. Whatever Piers had done, she had a feeling that he had already paid dearly for his wrongdoings.

Aurelia was waiting for them when they returned to Rockwood. She demanded to know the truth about the conditions in which Piers had been confined, and although Rosalind tried to make it sound better than it was, Aurelia was genuinely upset and in floods of tears.

‘How can you talk about it so calmly?’ she demanded, sobbing. ‘Poor Piers, he might have done bad things but he doesn’t deserve such treatment.’

‘I agree,’ Rosalind said gently. ‘No one should be kept like that. We treat our animals better.’

‘What are you going to do about it then? Why should my brother suffer so?’

‘Stop being so melodramatic, Aurelia,’ Alex said sharply. ‘Can’t you see how hard this is on Rosie?’

‘You never think about anyone else,’ Aurelia cried angrily. ‘Anyone would think she was your wife and Piers meant nothing to her.’