‘Yes, I shouldn’t be mean. Aurelia is so pretty and vivacious she could have any man she wanted, and I have no fortune to recommend me, so I’m lucky that Alex loves me for myself.’

‘Alex is a very fortunate man.’ Rosalind returned to the small escritoire where she kept her lists and tidied them away. ‘I’ll finish this later. In the meantime I’ll go and check with Hester to make sure we haven’t left anything to chance regarding the food and wine for the wedding breakfast.’

‘If the snow gets any thicker it will prevent the guests from travelling. No one will come and it will be a disaster.’

This was so close to what Rosalind had been thinking that she avoided meeting her sister’s anxious gaze. ‘We won’t worry about that just now, Patsy. Try to imagine how beautiful you will look in your new ivory silk gown with the fur-trimmed cape and bonnet. The whole village will turn out to watch when Gurney drives you to the village church.’

‘I’ll try,’ Patsy said humbly.

‘Good girl. Now I really should get on. I have some last-minute queries I need to discuss with Hester.’

Patsy pulled a face. ‘We all love Hester, but what will the guests think when they find out that the Dowager Lady Carey is still acting as our housekeeper, and she cooks for us if she gets a chance to oust Mrs Jackson from the kitchen?’

‘Grandpapa was known as an eccentric, bless him. He didn’t bother about conventions and I think he really loved her. At least Hester made his last eighteen months on earth the happiest he’d ever known.’

‘I know you’re right, but other people don’t see it that way.’

‘Well, they should. Hester is a good woman and Grandpapa really appreciated her tender care. I still miss him, and I always will.’

Rosalind left the drawing room and made her way to the blue parlour, which Hester had made her own. As their former nanny, housekeeper, cook and confidante, Hester had been part of Rosalind’s life ever since she could remember. It had come as something of a shock when her late grandfather had decided to honour the woman who had kept his family together for so many years, but Rosalind was more than happy with his decision to marry Hester. Bertie, Walter and Patsy had taken a little longer to get used to the idea, but they all loved Hester and had warmly welcomed her into the family.

Rosalind knocked and entered without waiting for a response.

‘The snow is coming down faster,’ Hester said, gazing out of the window. ‘I suppose Patsy is getting herself in a state about everything to do with the wedding.’

‘Yes, of course she is, but can you blame her? I’ve tried to calm her down.’