Rosalind stared at Fletcher in amazement, hardly able to believe her ears, but Alexander threw his head back and laughed. The sound echoed round the small room and a large chunk of plaster dropped from the ceiling, shattering to tiny pieces on the bare boards.

‘Your new friend speaks sense, Rosie.’

‘Then you’ll return to Rockwood with me, Alex? Fletcher is right: you don’t have to live in the castle, and there are plenty of cottages on the estate that would be infinitely better than this.’ Rosalind eyed him intently. ‘I need a steward I can trust. It would serve until you decide what you really want to do.’

‘There you are then,’ Fletcher said triumphantly. ‘The lady speaks good sense, guv. If I were you I’d accept and be done with it.’

‘Please, Alex.’ Rosalind grasped his hand. ‘Say you’ll consider it, at least. If you agree we’ll return to Rockwood tomorrow or the next day. I miss my baby and I want to go home.’

Alexander smiled reluctantly. ‘It seems that you’re always coming to my rescue, Rosie. What would I do without you?’

Fletcher shook her head, uttering a snort of contempt. ‘Men! The lot of you are just big babies. He’ll agree, missis, and I just done meself out of a job.’

‘Do say yes, Alex. Come home to Rockwood and help me to run the estate.’

‘When you put it like that it’s hard to refuse.’

‘Lord give me patience. Say yes, you fool.’ Fletcher shook her finger at him.

Alexander eyed her thoughtfully. ‘You have a lot to say for yourself, Fletcher.’

‘If you take up my lady’s offer you’ll need someone to look after you, guv. I can cook and I can tidy up better than you can, if this is an example of your housekeeping. I fancy a trip to the country meself. I got a few people here in London who would like to skin me alive, if you know what I mean.’

‘I sympathise with them,’ Alexander said with feeling. ‘Are you a good cook?’

‘I am, as it happens. At least, I can boil an egg or a bit of salt beef, and no one overcharges me when I go shopping.’

‘I’m not sure that Rockwood is ready for someone like you, Fletcher.’ Rosalind turned to Alex, smiling. ‘Does that mean you accept my offer?’

He raised her hand to his lips. ‘I’d be a fool not to. Besides which, you need someone to take care of you while Piers is away. I think Fletcher will be a great help to us both. I’d pit her against Trimble or his criminal friends any day.’