‘I’m not calm. I’m just as worried as you are, but until we have definite news there’s really nothing we can do.’

‘Nothing? Of course there’s always something to be done. I want to travel to France to find Alex and Bertie. You should have thought of that – you were always the clever one.’

‘For a start, we don’t know for certain that they were on board, and even if they were, the article didn’t say where the crew had landed. There is nothing we can do, Patsy. If there were, don’t you think I would have taken steps to discover the truth?’

Patricia paced the floor. ‘I don’t know anything any more. I don’t know what to do.’

‘Why don’t we go to your room and you can show me your wedding gown?’ Aurelia said gently. ‘Rosie’s right, you know, Patsy. There’s always hope. You don’t even know that Alex was on that ship.’

‘Why aren’t you worried? He’s your brother. And where is Piers? Why isn’t he here to help us?’

Felicia stepped forward. ‘You’re getting hysterical, Patricia. I suggest you go to your room with Aurelia, as she suggests. Even if the boys were on that ship, it doesn’t mean that they suffered any injuries. I’m anxious about Bertie, but creating a scene isn’t going to help.’

‘Alex would have been here by now if he could, or he would have sent a message somehow. It’s all gone terribly wrong.’ Patricia ran from the room, Aurelia hurrying after her.

‘I’m sorry,’ Rosalind said softly. ‘I wanted to spare her that until we had some definite news.’

‘The whole thing is a disaster. If you’ll excuse me, Lady Pentelow, I want to speak to my fiancé.’ Felicia walked slowly to the door, but she hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. ‘Rosalind will see that you have everything you need.’ She left the room.

Rosalind had a feeling that her mother was enjoying the drama of the situation despite her genuine concern for her son and daughter. She glanced at Lady Pentelow and was met with a stony stare.

‘You could have sent word and saved us the trouble of travelling in such inclement weather, Rosalind.’

‘They could still turn up at any moment, ma’am. Piers promised me that he would be home in time for the wedding and for Christmas.’

‘I didn’t know that my grandson had gone abroad. He tells me nothing these days.’