It took a month to get Piers well enough to travel and by this time Alex was able to move around reasonably well on crutches, but the doctor said it would be at least another couple of months before he returned to anything like normal. Piers, on that other hand, had recovered fully from the lung infection and the head injury, although he was still very weak and had been ordered to rest as much as possible. With this in mind Rosalind had chartered a vessel to take them direct to the quay at Rockwood, and she sent a message ahead advising her family of their expected date of arrival. Even so, it was a pleasant surprise to disembark late on a cold February afternoon to find Jim Gurney waiting for them with the landau. Half an hour later they were being greeted by Jarvis, who could not quite conceal his delight in seeing them safe and sound.

They had barely taken off their outdoor garments when Lady Pentelow bore down on them. ‘Piers, my boy, and Alex. You poor things, we’ve been so worried about you.’

‘I didn’t think you would still be here, Lady Pentelow,’ Rosalind said, frowning.

‘I stayed because I was needed, Rosalind. Your mother and her new husband left for London immediately after the wedding, without stopping to consider what might happen to Patricia, who was distraught. It was my duty to remain here and supervise the running of the household.’

‘It was good of you, Grandmama,’ Piers said, kissing her on the cheek. ‘Thank you.’

‘You must be exhausted after that long voyage, Piers.’ Lady Pentelow glanced at Alexander, shaking her head. ‘You look a sorry state, Alex. Come into the drawing room and I’ll send for refreshments.’

Hester bridled visibly. ‘There’s no need to trouble yourself, Lady Pentelow. I will take over now.’

‘We’ll all take tea in the drawing room, Hester,’ Piers tucked his grandmother’s hand in the crook of his arm. ‘You’d better tell Cook that there will be four extra for dinner.’

‘I’m sure that Hester is just as tired as the rest of us after that long journey,’ Rosalind said hastily. ‘There’s no need to go to any trouble, Hester. Come and sit with us and I’ll ring for Tilly.’

‘It’s all right, poppet.’ Hester gave her a weary smile. ‘I’ll go to my room to rest before dinner, but I’ll call in at the kitchen on my way. I want to make sure that Mrs Jackson knows who is in charge now.’

Rosalind met Hester’s wry smile with a chuckle. ‘Of course. We must get back to normal as soon as possible.’