She looked into his eyes and saw herself mirrored in his dark pupils and she allowed him to pull her into his arms. Their lips met in a kiss that blotted out time and meaning. His mouth claimed hers in a delight that was both exciting and so familiar that she could not help but respond with equal passion. Her whole body seemed to melt in his arms and her hands caressed his cheeks.

‘Rosalind Blanchard, what do you think you’re doing?’ Hester’s irate voice made them pull apart.

Rosalind gazed at her blankly, her mind and body still consumed with desire that had set her senses aflame. Alex clutched her hand and they were both trembling.

‘This has nothing to do with you, Hester,’ Alex said angrily. ‘This is our business, not yours.’

Rosalind raised his hand to her cheek. ‘Hester’s right, Alex. We shouldn’t have done that.’ She turned to look him in the eye. ‘But I’m so glad we did.’

‘Rosie, what are you saying?’ Hester demanded angrily. ‘Have you lost your senses?’

‘It won’t happen again.’ Rosalind brushed Alex’s hand with a tender kiss before releasing it. ‘We both know it was wrong, but we couldn’t help ourselves. Neither of us has forgotten where our loyalties lie – I’m married to Piers and Alex is going to marry my sister.’

‘Keep telling yourself that,’ Alex said in a low voice, ‘but it doesn’t alter anything, Rosie. You belong to me, heart and soul. You’ll never change that.’

‘That’s quite enough of that,’ Hester said sternly. ‘It’s the drink and the festive season that’s brought this on. Tomorrow you’ll both suffer from the memory of it. I think you ought to go to bed now, Rosie. I’ll make Alexander comfortable.’

Rosalind stood her ground. ‘No, Hester. I know what you’re doing, but I’m a grown woman now. I love you, but you can’t protect me for ever. I’ll make my own mistakes and I’ll pay for them. Thank you for everything you’ve done today, but I think you should go to bed. You’ve earned a good rest.’

Hester opened her mouth as if to protest but she seemed to think better of it and she marched out of the room without saying a word.

‘It’s time you stood up to her, Rosie,’ Alex said seriously. ‘She’s a good woman and I know she loves you like a mother, but she mustn’t be allowed to run your life.’