Rosalind was about to reply when Hester came bustling towards them. ‘Is that true? Is Piers really out of danger?’

‘Yes, Hester. He’s making rapid progress. I hope to be able to bring him here soon and then we can plan our return to England.’

‘I’ve grown quite fond of the old haunted château,’ Alex said cheerfully. ‘Rockwood will seem quite tame after living here for a while.’

‘I think it’s time you made your way back to the drawing room. You don’t want to overdo things, Alexander.’ Hester stepped in between him and Rosalind. ‘I can’t wait to get home myself. When do you think they will allow Piers to leave the hospital, Rosie? We could look after him very well.’

‘We’ll just have to wait and see what the doctors say.’

Alex swung round on his crutches and started back towards the drawing room. ‘We should celebrate. It’s New Year’s Eve and both my brother and I are on the mend, so what better reason for a party?’

‘I haven’t recovered from all that work on Christmas Eve,’ Hester said irritably. ‘You need to rest. The sooner you get back to your regiment the better for all of us.’

‘Hester!’ Rosalind stared at her in disbelief. ‘That’s unkind.’

‘No, poppet. It’s not wrong to want everything to get back to normal. Being confined to this weird old house is affecting you and Alexander. I can speak out because I love you as if you were my own daughter, and Patsy, too. I don’t want to see either of you broken-hearted.’

Alex stopped and turned back to face her. ‘I’ve been very patient with you, Hester, because I know you love Rosie, but so do I and we are adults – we make our own choices. That said, neither of us wants to upset those who love us, so you’ll just have to trust me to do the right thing.’ He swung round on his crutches and marched off with surprising speed towards the drawing room.

‘Hmm.’ Hester shook her head. ‘I think he believes what he says, but I know you both very well. Sometimes good intentions are not enough.’

‘Don’t say any more,’ Rosalind said crossly. ‘Alex is right. We’ll have a special meal tonight and a bottle of Champagne. I’ll take Agathe and go to market. This is a celebration, Hester. Piers is on the mend and soon we’ll be returning to our normal lives at Rockwood. The old year is on the way out and tomorrow we start afresh. I mean that.’

‘I hope you do, for all our sakes. I’ll find Agathe and send her to you.’

On her way to market Rosalind spotted Colonel Munday coming out of the shipping office. He greeted her with a wide smile. ‘Good morning, ma’am.’

‘Colonel Munday. You look very pleased with yourself.’