‘No, Alex. I’m not going to lie because my sister has chosen to be difficult.’ Rosalind looked from one expectant face to the other and she shook her head. ‘As a matter of fact, Alex was a model patient. He charmed everyone, even our grumpy landlady, Madame Planche. Her drunkard of a brother, Delfosse, would do anything for Alex, as well as Agathe, the young maid who acted as our interpreter.’

‘You’re making matters worse.’ Aurelia glanced anxiously at Patsy. ‘Rosie is teasing you.’

‘No, I am not.’ Rosalind eyed them all defiantly. ‘You can’t imagine the difficulties we all faced in France. We were living in this creepy old château far from home. Piers nearly died and Alex couldn’t do a thing for himself, at least not in the beginning. Hester and I worked really hard to look after them both.’

‘What do you want me to say?’ Patricia demanded crossly. ‘It seems to me that I’m the one who has been badly treated. I had to stand by and watch my own mother take her marriage vows in front of all the guests who had come thinking they would see Alex marry me.’

Alexander eyed her, frowning. ‘I was in hospital, Patsy.’

‘They all thought I had been jilted.’ Patricia tossed her head. ‘Everyone pretended to be sympathetic, but I know what they were thinking. I was utterly humiliated.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Alexander said humbly. ‘I don’t know what else to say.’

‘Perhaps it would be better if you two talked this over in private?’ Rosalind suggested tentatively. ‘We’ve had a long journey and we’re all very tired.’

Patricia tossed her cards on the table. ‘I don’t want to play any more.’ She stood up, facing Alexander with a defiant look. ‘I’m releasing you from our engagement, Alex. I’ve had a taste of what it might be like to be married to a soldier and I don’t think I want to live like that.’

‘Perhaps you’re right,’ Alexander said slowly. ‘But maybe we just need to get to know each other again. It’s going to be a couple of months at least before I am considered fit enough to resume my duties. We could begin again, Patsy.’

She shook her head. ‘Aurelia and your grandmother are returning to Trevenor. I think it best if I go with them. Quite honestly I don’t want to be stuck here with you hobbling around on crutches, trying to make me feel sorry for you.’

‘Patsy, that’s a horrible thing to say.’ Rosalind could hardly believe her ears.

‘I think, in the circumstances, that it is eminently sensible,’ Lady Pentelow said bluntly. ‘We were planning to return home, but I wanted to make sure my grandsons were in good health before I left Rockwood. To be frank, I have had enough of this draughty old pile, and I long for the comforts of home.’