‘Then we can go home,’ Rosalind said, heaving a sigh of relief. ‘Maybe it’s best if I don’t tell Patsy and Sir Michael that you’re planning on returning to Rockwood. They might think it odd if I take you with me, Fletcher, so we’ll say that you’re going to be my personal maid. There’s always work at the castle if you get tired of looking after the captain.’

‘Thanks, ma’am, but I don’t see meself living in a castle. I’ll look after the captain as if I was his batman. That I can do.’ Fletcher looked from one to the other and grinned. ‘I’ll wait for you outside, ma’am. It’s brass monkeys out there so don’t keep me waiting too long.’ She stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

‘She’s going to be a handful, Alex,’ Rosalind said warily. ‘Are you sure you want to take her with you?’

‘It adds a bit of respectability if I have a housekeeper, and no one is going to argue with Fletcher. I know I should go away and get out of your life for ever, Rosie, but I can’t do it. At least this way we can see each other legitimately.’

‘Yes, but it’s still going to be difficult, Alex. I won’t pretend otherwise.’

‘I tried and failed to make a life without you. The fault is all mine.’

‘No, it isn’t. I came looking for you and now I’ve found you I don’t want to lose you again. It would be different if I knew you were doing something that satisfied you and made you happy, but I can’t bear to see you living like this.’

He held both her hands and then released her, stepping away. ‘You’d better go or Fletcher will be after my blood. Let me know when you intend to travel and I’ll meet you at the railway station.’

‘I will. Now I just have to tell Patsy that I’m going home. She won’t like it but it’s not up to her.’

Patricia stared at her in dismay. ‘But, Rosie, I thought you were enjoying yourself here.’

‘And I am, Patsy. It’s been wonderful, but I miss Dolly and the others. I shouldn’t have left my baby. You’ll understand when you have children.’

‘Indeed I won’t. Greystone doesn’t want to start another family and I never intend to have children, so we agree entirely on that subject. Look at you – you’re a slave to that baby. You should stay for a week at least and leave all your problems at Rockwood.’

‘I’m sorry, Patsy. I know you’ve done your best to entertain me, and you and Sir Michael have been most generous, but I want to go home.’