Later, when all the dishes were washed and put away, and Colonel Munday had left for his lodgings, having drunk several cups of black coffee, Hester fell asleep by the fire and Agathe went to her room to relax until it was time for her to attend midnight mass. Rosalind doubted whether Madame Planche and Delfosse would be going to church. Perhaps they would rise early, and gain favour with Father Laurent by attending the first mass on Christmas Day. At least their Christmas Eve dinner had been a success. Rosalind made coffee for herself and Alex, and took a tray to the drawing room.

‘Are you in much pain?’ she asked gently.

‘I’m sore, but it was worth it. I’m just not suited to lying around in bed all day, Rosie. You know that.’

She poured the coffee. ‘Yes, I do. If the pain is too bad I have the laudanum that Sister Delphine gave me for you.’

‘Maybe later. Let’s enjoy this quiet time together.’

Rosalind handed him a cup. ‘The sooner we get home, the better, Alex.’

‘Are you afraid of being alone with me?’

‘How could I be afraid of you? If anything I’m scared of myself.’

‘Why is that?’

‘We know each other too well.’

‘I was a fool to let you go.’

‘I love Piers, and I believe you love my sister.’

‘Can I not love both of you?’

Rosalind put her cup and saucer back on the tray. ‘You should get some rest now.’ She half rose to her feet but his hand shot out, and he pressed her back onto the chair with effortless strength. ‘Don’t run away, Rosie. I’d never do anything to hurt you. I love you and I always have, and I think you love me, too.’

She gazed down at his fingers encircling her wrist. ‘It’s the wine talking, Alex. Don’t make me say something we’ll both regret in the morning.’

He released her, shaking his head. ‘I think you’ve answered me, Rosie. If you can’t bring yourself to deny it that means you feel the same as I do. I won’t ask you again if it upsets you, but I had to know.’

‘Piers will recover and then we’ll go home. You will marry Patsy and you’ll return to your regiment. All this will be just a memory, Alex. It’s an interlude in our lives that can never have a happy ending for either of us, at least not with each other.’

‘It’s Christmas, Rosie. Will you give me a kiss – a Christmas gift that will last me for ever?’

Rosalind glanced at Hester, who seemed to be asleep with her chin resting on her chest. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’

He slid his arm around her shoulders and drew her gently towards him. ‘A Christmas kiss. What harm can there be in that?’