Concur though she might, having nothing to do was Helena’s favourite amount of things. Being stuck in the house with nothing to do but read and pass the time amusing oneself was, frankly, her idea of a holiday, though it was quite bothersome that John had been on a visit to the castle when the fog had set in and she was on her own. Still, at least she knew from their letters that he was safe. And time apart had never done them much harm.

“Is that really so bad? A year without the season sounds like my idea of heaven,” she chuckled, tilting her head thoughtfully towards Emma. “And you’ll have ample time for the children. I still have Althea with me and she’s thoroughly entertaining.”