‘Is that boiled egg for me?’ Aurelia took it from the tray and went to sit in her usual seat at the table. ‘I might as well eat it as it’s here. Pour me a coffee, Rosie. I might not get a chance for refreshment until we reach Plymouth. I know what Alex is like when he sets his mind on getting somewhere. He forgets that we lesser mortals need sustenance. You’ll be glad to be rid of us, I dare say.’

Rosalind filled a cup with coffee and passed it to her. ‘I will miss you all equally.’

‘Maybe you’ll miss one of us more than the rest?’ Aurelia said with a knowing smile.

‘Of course. It will be a long time before I see Piers again, unless he gets remission for good behaviour.’

‘I wasn’t thinking of that brother, but I could be mistaken, I suppose.’

‘If you’re referring to Alex, then yes, I will miss him, too. He’s been so supportive since Piers went to prison.’

‘And he’s devoted to Dolly. I would never have imagined that my soldier brother could be so fond of a squalling infant.’

Rosalind could stand no more of Aurelia’s very unsubtle hints and she stood up. ‘It’s time for her next feed. Thank you for reminding me. I probably won’t see you again before you leave, so I hope you have a good journey. Say goodbye to Alex for me and please give my kindest regards to your grandmama.’

Rosalind hurried from the room, choking back tears. She knew that if she allowed herself to cry she would not be able to stop.

The next few weeks passed in a haze of numbness whereby Rosalind felt no pain nor any pleasure in anything other than caring for her baby. It might have been easier had Alex stayed to share the burden placed upon her, but he had not returned from Trevenor. Although she knew in her heart that this was for the best, it felt like a bereavement. She lost her appetite, which worried Hester so much that Rosalind pretended to eat, although nothing tasted as it should. She fed most of her meals to Bob, who obligingly sat beside her chair in the dining room, looking up at her with adoring and hopeful eyes. At the beginning of December she had lost a visible amount of weight and, worse still, her milk had all but dried up, leaving Dolly constantly hungry and crying miserably.

Hester watched Rosalind’s attempts to feed her child with a worried frown. ‘We all sympathise with you, Rosie. It’s hard knowing that Piers will be away from England for such a long time, but you must try to get over the shock, if only for Dolly’s sake. You need to eat and sleep well if you’re to provide her with sustenance.’

Rosalind shook her head wearily. ‘I know. I’m trying, Hester.’