‘Thank you, Tilly.’ Rosalind waited until Tilly had left the room. ‘Things haven’t been good between us for a while, Piers. You spend so much time away on business that I rarely see you, and when you are at home you’re too tired to pay much attention to me.’

‘Are you saying I’m a bad husband?’

‘I’m saying you’re a good businessman, but where does that leave me?’

‘I’ve done everything you asked of me. I’ve poured money into renovating Rockwood and I live here instead of my home in Cornwall, which in turn means that I have to spend time away in order to keep the business going. This old pile of stones doesn’t even belong to us. Bertie will marry one day and he’ll bring his wife here to run the household. Where will you be then?’

Rosalind poured the tea and took a cup to him. ‘That’s what I’m trying to say, Piers. We need time together and that doesn’t entail living at Trevenor, with your grandmother organising every minute of our lives. I love Aurelia but she is very demanding. Moreover, you should heed what the French doctor told you, and that means rest and recuperation.’

‘What exactly are you saying?’ Piers eyed her coldly.

‘I’m asking you not to go to Cornwall for a while. Send instructions to Pedrick, or even ask him to come here and report to you, but please be sensible.’

Piers stared into the teacup. ‘Perhaps you’re right. I’ll stay here for a week or two, but only if Alex goes to Cornwall. If he stays here he will take up most of your time – I know my brother better than you do.’

‘Of course, but he said he can’t ride. It’s a long journey.’

‘He can ride in the carriage with Grandmama and Aurelia.’

‘You’re forgetting that Patsy wants to go with them.’

‘She can choose to remain here if she doesn’t wish to associate with Alex, but perhaps they would make up their differences if they spent time together.’ Piers sipped his tea. ‘Does that thought bother you?’

‘No, of course not.’ Rosalind hoped she sounded confident, although if she were to be honest she was not sure. A small part of her had felt relieved when Patsy threw the ring at Alex. She realised now that the weeks spent in the Château Gris had been like living in a fantasy world where romance was the key. She had allowed herself to fall in love with Alex all over again, even though they had parted two years ago. Now she was back in her old home and once again she would become Mrs Piers Blanchard and the rebellious, romantic young woman would be left behind in France to haunt the Château Gris along with the other unhappy souls.

‘What are you thinking, Rosie?’