‘No, of course not.’ Rosalind moved away quickly. ‘Cream and sugar, just how you like it.’

‘You remember.’

‘Of course. I’m the big sister. I look after everyone.’ Rosalind handed him the steaming bowl of porridge.

‘That smells so good. You will sit with me, won’t you? I feel like a leper stuck here away from everyone.’

She pulled up a chair. ‘Of course I will. We’re up before anyone, apart from Agathe, and she’s busy stoking fires. Delfosse must have drunk himself into oblivion last night. He’s draped over the kitchen table, snoring like a pig.’

Alex frowned. ‘He hasn’t bothered you, has he?’

‘No, not in the way you mean. Hester and I were scared of him at first, but I think he’s harmless, and Madame Planche keeps him in order.’

‘She’s not very good at it if the fellow is dead drunk. The sooner I get back on my feet the better. If he lays a finger on you, Rosie, I swear I’ll be off this bed in seconds and he’ll get a good thrashing.’

‘Eat your porridge, Alex,’ Rosalind said, laughing. ‘You need to build up your strength first.’

‘You’re right. I need spoiling like this every day. This porridge is excellent, and that looks like strawberry jam. If it’s half as good as the one Hester makes it will be wonderful.’ He scraped the bowl clean and licked the spoon. ‘Thank you, Rosie.’

She looked up and felt herself drowning in his gaze. More than two years of marriage to Piers were in danger of being swept away by the resurgence of old emotions. She loved her husband, of course, but his obsession with the clay mine in Cornwall and his long business trips had taken their toll on their relationship. Even so, she was loyal and shocked by her unexpected reaction to Alexander’s charm.

‘It should have been your wedding day, Alex,’ she said abruptly. ‘I wonder how Patsy is feeling.’

‘She will dance at your mother’s wedding and probably outdo my sister when it comes to flirting with eligible bachelors,’ Alex said casually.

‘Don’t you care?’ The question came out before she could stop herself.

‘Of course I do, but I’ve been away a long time. To be honest, I wonder if Patsy will be upset because she wants to be my wife, or because she is no longer the centre of attention. Am I being unfair, Rosie?’

‘I don’t know, Alex. You could be right, but the only way to find out is for you to be with her again. It would be too late once you are married, so maybe some time together is what you both need.’

‘Are you happy, Rosie?’

The question came as a shock and she answered mechanically. ‘I am, or I will be when Piers is out of danger.’