Madame Planche sighed heavily and Rosalind took this as a hint to leave the kitchen. ‘We’ll be in the drawing room, Agathe. I hope that Monsieur Delfosse has lit the fire.’

After breakfast Rosalind sent Hester to the market with Agathe. She would have liked to accompany them, but she needed to see Piers and she went straight to the hospital. His condition was unchanged, as she had feared, and Sister Dominique could not tell her anything more than she already knew. Rosalind sat with Piers for a while, and she made an effort to talk to him, but it seemed futile speaking to someone who was deeply unconscious. In the end she braved the wrath of Sister Mary-Grace and went to see Alex. The men in the other beds eyed her with varying degrees of interest, although most of them seemed too sick or too preoccupied with their own problems to pay much attention to her.

Alex greeted her with an engaging smile. ‘You ran the gauntlet to see me, Rosie. I always knew you were brave.’

She pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I expect I’ll be sent out when one of the sisters sees me, but I’ve just spent some time with Piers. He doesn’t respond at all.’

‘He’s no worse, at least that’s what Sister Dominique told me this morning. It’s just a matter of time,’ Alex said gently. ‘Don’t give up now.’

‘I’m trying to be positive, Alex. But he looks so ill.’

‘I won’t deny it, Rosie.’

‘How are you, Alex? Don’t tell me that you’re fine, because I can see that you’re in pain.’

‘No, really, as long as I keep still it’s all right. It’s only when I forget that I get a sharp reminder. More important, how are you?’ He eyed her keenly. ‘You look tired, Rosie.’

‘I shared a bed with Hester because we were both nervous. She snores, although she won’t admit it.’

‘Is it the château itself, or are you afraid of that man Delfosse?’

She shrugged. ‘I suppose we were just exhausted and we allowed our imaginations to take control.’

‘Nevertheless, I’m going to ask my commanding officer if I can move to the château. I can’t do much in my present condition, but I can shout louder than you.’

‘I can’t deny that it would be a comfort to have you with us. Hester and I could take good care of you.’

He laughed. ‘I warn you I’m a very demanding patient, but seriously, I think it would be a good thing. I’m sure that in the circumstances there can be no objection.’

‘That would be wonderful, but simply moving you across the road might make your injury worse.’