Joshua stood up, too. “She has most probably guessed.”

“You're right. But we must go and find her anyway. I want to tell her the news.”

“She'll be delighted,” said Joshua. Adding, “And so will Mrs Camberwell.”

Rebecca looked at him in surprise.

“She has spent the last few weeks telling me what a wonderful wife you will make,” he laughed.

Rebecca smiled, then gave a contented sigh. “It's lovely to know that our betrothal will bring so much pleasure to so many people.”

“Not least to ourselves.” He took her into his arms and kissed her.

“If you don't stop kissing me like that, I will not be able to wait for a summer wedding,” she teased him as she at last emerged.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. “A good thing too. Hang the gossips. If they want to remark on the speed of our wedding then let them — I have always thought spring weddings were the best.”

“Perhaps they are at that!”

Then arm in arm they went to find Louisa and tell her the happy news.