However, Father Laurent appeared to be unaware of anything amiss as he waited for someone to answer his knock on the metal-studded door. It opened to reveal a small, plump woman with a pale face and grey hair swept back mercilessly into a neat bun. A silver chatelaine laden with large iron keys hung from her waist, giving her the appearance of a prison warder rather than a welcoming housekeeper.

‘Madame Planche,’ Father Laurent said, smiling. He continued in rapid French that Rosalind could not understand. Madame answered with a few curt words and walked away with hunched shoulders. It did not take an interpreter to translate. Her actions indicated clearly that they were unwelcome.

‘Madame is more than happy to have you stay here for as long as you wish,’ Father Laurent said hastily. ‘You might find her manner a little abrupt, but she has a heart of pure gold. Come along, ladies.’

Rosalind had a feeling that Father Laurent was the eternal optimist who saw goodness in even the most disagreeable people.

Madame Planche led them along a wide corridor with a well-worn flagstone floor, and walls painted dark blue, creating a sense of eternal night. A strong smell of garlic and sour wine emanated from a room where the door had been left ajar, sending a shaft of flickering candlelight across their path. Rosalind caught a glimpse of a man wearing a red velvet robe. He was sprawled in an armchair with his feet resting on a low table, which was strewn with empty wine bottles and pools of red wine.

‘Who is that, Father?’ Rosalind said in a low voice. ‘The house appears to have a tenant.’

‘Oh, that is Monsieur Delfosse. Don’t worry about him. He won’t bother you.’

‘Does he live here?’

‘He’s Madame’s brother. He does the maintenance work around the château, and tends the grounds.’

Hester sniffed audibly. ‘He doesn’t seem to be doing much at the moment.’

‘The château has been without a tenant for some time now and has fallen into a state of disrepair.’ Father Laurent met her frown with a smile. ‘Perhaps your presence will remedy that.’

‘I think you should pay us to stay here,’ Hester said icily. ‘I’m sure there must be an alternative.’

‘Don’t be hasty.’ Rosalind laid her hand on Hester’s shoulder. ‘Father Laurent said that all the accommodation locally has been taken by the army.’

‘It doesn’t say much for this place if the British Army refused to stay here. It’s huge and it’s cold and it smells funny.’

‘The rent is very reasonable,’ Father Laurent said hastily. ‘And it’s very near the convent, so it will be easy for Madame Blanchard to visit her husband.’