The interment of three miners crushed to death by a rockfall down the Wheal Ember mine saw the presence in Perranbarvah’s churchyard of the Reverend Ivey and Matthias Renfree. Such a gathering was not an uncommon occurrence, with accidents on the land, at sea, and the many local tin and copper mines, as well as the weak, the young and the old being snuffed out at frequent intervals by a variety of fevers. Attending a burial was part of the normal way of life for the whole community.
The rockfall had claimed the life of another of Ted Trembath’s brothers, this time Curly. With him in death was Amos Bawden, son of Carn and brother to Heather, the little girl who had carried the news of the discovery of Davey Trembath’s body. Richard Astley was the third, leaving behind him a widow and four young children to fend for themselves in a harsh world.
Like the day of farmer’s son Henry Sampson’s funeral, the sun blazed down in a cloudless sky, making the children restless and the mourners tug in discomfort at the unwelcome heat in their black clothes.
‘We meet too often like this, Matthias,’ the Reverend Ivey said, shaking his head sadly after the last of the large number of mourners had left the churchyard.
‘Yes, Reverend. I suppose we should be thankful it was only three dead. Apparently Ted Trembath and Colly Pearce were among those who were able to scramble to safety. If Ted had died, his mother would no doubt have made up a fifth burial today,’ remarked Matthias, stooping to pick up a fallen wild flower dropped by a female mourner.
‘I didn’t notice Colly Pearce paying his respects among the mourners, or giving thanks for his escape,’ the Reverend commented drily.
‘That was only to be expected, of course, but what I did notice were fresh bruises on Rosina’s face and throat, even though she did her best to conceal them. I am greatly concerned about her welfare.’
‘That poor girl. I wish something could be done about her dreadful situation, but it’s difficult to think of any that would not make the matter worse.’
‘Actually, Reverend, I’ve had an idea about that.’
‘Oh, really?’ said the elderly parson in a hopeful voice. ‘And what might that be?’
‘Well, I thought… I… um… could offer Rosina marriage.’ Matthias kept his flushed face on the wild flower he was twirling between finger and thumb. ‘I know we’re not in love or anything, but I’m very fond of her. She’s quite the sweetest little thing… and… and I suppose I could do with a wife, and I’d really look after her and… and…’ Matthias’ rapid speech finally petered out.
The Reverend Ivey was partly amused, partly serious. He kept his eyes on a pile of dry earth dug for one of the graves to allow Matthias’ embarrassment to subside.
‘You don’t think it’s a good idea then, Reverend?’ he asked awkwardly.
‘I really don’t know, Matthias, I’ll have to think about it. Mind you, it would be wonderful to think of the girl safe and sound away from her brother. If you can spare the time, come into the Parsonage for tea. There’s something I would like to talk over with you.’
‘I can spare a little more time, Reverend. I hope Mrs Tregonning will have a fresh batch of her yeast buns just out of the oven. I wouldn’t tell Faith Bray, of course, but I’ve tasted none better.’
The delicious warm smell wafting out through the kitchen window as they neared the Parsonage told Matthias his hope was not in vain. Settled in the parlour he and the Reverend discussed the families of the recently deceased men.
‘There are other wage earners in the Trembath and Bawden families,’ the Reverend said, ‘but Richard Astley’s widow and children will have to leave their cottage and she will have to find some form of employment.’
‘Perhaps they need someone at the Manor,’ Matthias suggested.
‘That could be a possibility. I’m going to see Lady Pengarron tomorrow. I’ll ask her about it then.’
‘Sir Martin Beswetherick sent Mrs Astley two guineas,’ said Matthias, absent-mindedly crumbling a piece of yeast bun. ‘Not a lot of help in the long run, but better than what most of the mine owners would do.’
‘I’ll inform you if she can be taken on at the Manor. If not, we’ll see what else we can come up with.’ The Reverend’s voice took on a grave tone. ‘Actually, the thing I want to discuss with you, Matthias, concerns Kerensa Pengarron.’
‘The attack on her by Peter Blake, you mean?’
‘No, not that. Although the effect on her of that distressing incident has been worrying me a good deal, this could be even worse.’ The Reverend ran a hand over his bald pate and through the wisps of surrounding grey hair. ‘It’s about Mary Trelynne, Kerensa’s mother.’
‘Oh?’ said Matthias, baffled and intrigued at the same time.
‘You won’t know anything about her death, of course?’
‘On the contrary,’ Matthias broke in. ‘I know the exact circumstances of Mary Trelynne’s death. My father told me about it when we were discussing Kerensa’s decision to go through with the marriage to Sir Oliver. I must have been about fourteen at the time of her death and remember feeling then there was something odd about the whole affair. When I mentioned it to Father he told me about the other terrible thing Old Tom was responsible for. Makes me shudder just to think of it. Why has all this come up now?’
‘On the day of the attack Kerensa came over to see me concerning her mother’s death. I was delayed that day and didn’t see her, but she is bound to ask me again soon. It seems Kerensa has always been curious to know all the details of how her mother died, and knowing that I was present at the time she wants me to tell her of her mother’s last moments. I’m afraid Kerensa has no idea of the dreadful circumstances behind them. She has told me she wants to put the past behind her so she can look more firmly to the future but of course hearing the truth will only distress her, not comfort her in any way. What I fear now is, if she broaches the subject again tomorrow, will she be able to bear up under the present strain she is going through? I’d be interested to hear your opinion, Matthias, you knew her quite well before her marriage.’
Matthias sipped thoughtfully from the cup he’d been holding between mouth and saucer. He said, ‘She could hear about her mother’s death from another source if she’s been questioning others about it. I would say the sooner she knows the truth the better, and the sooner she could put it behind her too. Of course it will be very distressing but I see no reason why she should go to pieces, if that’s what you mean. No, Kerensa has deep strength of character to go with her gentleness and beauty.’
‘Thank you, Matthias. Do you know, I believe there’s more than a touch of the romantic lying hidden in you,’ the Reverend said fondly. He’d known the young man all his life, schooled him, and watched with approval the way he’d turned out. He had not been perturbed at Matthias’ keen interest in the rapidly expanding Methodist movement, not sharing the fierce opposition of the majority of Anglican clergymen to it. He smiled warmly at him. ‘I seem to have embarrassed you, Matthias.’
‘No, it’s all right,’ he said, smiling back boyishly for a moment. Serious again he went on, ‘I have a lot of thinking to do about Rosina. But I don’t envy you, Reverend, having to tell Kerensa about her mother.’
Gloom descended in the parlour like a sudden heavy shower of rainfall. The Reverend slapped a hand down heavily on a large fly walking across a nearby book. It slipped through his fingers and flew to safety high on an enclosed bookcase.
‘No,’ he sighed, inwardly relieved at the fly’s escape. ‘It won’t be easy…’
On the same afternoon the two men were discussing Kerensa’s late mother, Alice Trenchard turned up at the Manor house. Knocking on the kitchen door she entered self-consciously to find Esther kneading dough, Ruth sewing at the end of the table, and Beatrice drunkenly asleep in her chair.
‘Alice!’ exclaimed Esther in surprise. ‘Come on in and sit yourself down. Her ladyship will be really pleased to see you, won’t she, Ruth?’
‘She will,’ said Ruth, putting down her work and pulling out a chair beside her. ‘Come and sit down here. I’ll go tell Polly you’re here in a minute.’
Alice was thankful to sit down after her long walk. Pregnancy was not coming easily to her; her ankles were swollen, her back cramped. ‘Are you sure, Kerensa, I mean her ladyship, will be pleased to see me?’ she asked rather anxiously. ‘I’ve been wanting to come over ever since she came back from Tolwithrick, but didn’t know whether or not to… what with me marrying Clem. But I haven’t been able to rest for a minute since I heard what happened to her. How is she?’
‘It’s hard to say for sure, Alice,’ Esther replied. ‘One minute she seems her normal self, then off she goes to be alone and when she comes back it’s obvious she’s been crying her eyes out.’
‘As it was on the day, before… before what that dreadful man did. Polly said she was looking vexed,’ put in Ruth.
‘Do you know why that was, Ruth?’
‘No. None of us does. She had been to Perranbarvah. All we can think of is she didn’t like that man’s company on the way back.’
‘Poor girl,’ murmured Alice. ‘Anyway, what’s this Polly Berryman like? Do you all get on well with her?’
‘Of course, you don’t know Polly, do you?’ said Ruth. ‘She’s a good woman, is Polly. Been in service for years and has taught us a lot about what goes on in a big house. She stays with her ladyship as much as possible to stop her from moping, and has even given up her evening walks with Nathan since it happened.’
‘Nathan?’ Alice raised her eyebrows. ‘With a lady friend? This Polly must be worth having a look at, then.’
‘So you’ve showed up, ’ave ’ee?’ rasped Beatrice, waking from her slumbers.
Alice turned round to greet the crone. ‘Hello, Beatrice, and how are you?’
Beatrice coughed indiscriminately into the room and wiped the back of a hand across her chins to remove an outpouring of dribble. ‘I’m right enough,’ she answered, bending forward to peer closer at the girl. ‘Yourn ’ave to watch yerself though, maid, yourn all puffed up, jus’ like ’is lordship’s mother was when childbearin’. See it’s another babe conceived before the weddin’ ’n’ all.’
Alice pulled a face but Beatrice promptly grunted herself back to sleep.
‘Well, I’ll go find Polly, then,’ Ruth said, rising from the table, ‘and tell her you’re here, Alice.’
When Ruth had gone Alice looked all around to be sure no one else was about. ‘How are things between her ladyship and Sir Oliver, Esther?’ she asked, barely above a whisper.
‘He’s been very good to her, kindness itself at times, and hasn’t been staying away so much as he used to. We don’t think he’s been… um… bothering her either, if you take my meaning.’ Esther’s face coloured deeply at her last sentence.
‘I see. Is Sir Oliver here at the moment?’
‘No, gone over to Marazion to see Cap’n Solomon, I do believe.’
‘I heard what he did to Peter Blake. Clem went to market last week but didn’t find out how he is now. Have you heard anything?’
‘Last I heard, that sister of his had him moved to her house over Trevenner way. If you ask me,’ Esther said, putting lumps of dough on baking trays, ‘that man was lucky to get away with his life.’
‘You’re probably right,’ agreed Alice, massaging her aching back. ‘He always made me feel quite cold, for all his fine looks.’
‘Well, his looks aren’t so fine now.’
‘Of course he can never bring charges against Sir Oliver. If he did, what he did to her ladyship and poor old Dunstan would come out in the open and make an even bigger scandal. He’d be hated more than ever then.’
Ruth returned shortly with Polly Berryman who warmly shook Alice’s hand. ‘It’s nice to meet you at last, Mrs Trenchard,’ she said pleasantly. ‘Her ladyship talks about you quite often. She’s in her sitting room at the moment. Would you like to come along with me now?’
‘I’m glad you’ve come,’ Polly said, as they made their way through the house. ‘I believe her ladyship misses you, and you may be able to cheer her a little.’
‘I’ll do my best,’ Alice promised, but she felt rather nervous about seeing Kerensa again.
Polly opened the door to Kerensa’s sitting room. ‘Mrs Trenchard for you, my lady,’ she said, and withdrew at once.
Kerensa was half-heartedly arranging flowers by a window. She stared at Alice with a wide-eyed look of disbelief for several moments, then letting flowers fall from her hands, rushed across the room and hugged Alice tightly, tears running freely down her face.
‘Alice! Oh, Alice, thank you for coming to see me.’
Tears insisted on leaving Alice’s eyes too as she murmured, ‘I wasn’t sure if I should come or not, Kerensa. Now I wish I’d come sooner.’
Stepping back, Kerensa took Alice’s hands. ‘If only you knew how good it is to see you again,’ she said, beginning to laugh through her tears. ‘Oh, I hope you can stay for ages and ages. Come and sit down and tell me everything you’ve been doing since I saw you last.’
‘Mother, Mrs Trenchard that is, said I was to stay as long as I like,’ Alice said, easing her thickening body down on a comfortable sofa, ‘if you were at home.’ Florrie Trenchard had in fact said ‘if you are received’.
‘And Clem. Will he mind how long you stay? I suppose he’s looking forward to the baby coming.’
‘Clem won’t mind as long as I’m back before he comes in from the fields. He doesn’t take much interest in the baby. A bit too early yet, I expect.’ A dark shadow slid across Alice’s face as she went on, ‘I’m sorry about what happened to you, and poor old Dunstan. I should have been here, Kerensa, I should…’
‘There was nothing you could have done, Alice.’ Kerensa reassured her, fighting back a shudder at the memory. ‘Jack was very brave, I’m so proud of him.’
‘So Clem told me. It was a good thing he came over to see Nathan that day, or only the Lord knows what might have happened.’
‘Yes, only the Lord knows,’ Kerensa said softly. ‘I’ll always be grateful to Clem. Oliver will be too, I’m sure.’
‘Sir Oliver actually wrote to Clem to thank him. Matthias Renfree read it out for him properly. Clem didn’t say anything about it, but Mother and Father Trenchard, and Gran Donald, were overwhelmed. I thought it was very good of him.’
Kerensa smiled at her friend. ‘It sounds as though you’ve settled in well with the family. How’s Kenver and little Rosie?’
‘With the others fussing about me not being on my feet for long, I spend a lot of time sitting with my work and chatting to Kenver. Did you know he’s very good at poetry? Preacher Renfree comes in now and again to help him write it down, but paper’s scarce, of course.’
‘I’ll get you some from Oliver’s study for him, he’s got plenty in there. And Rosie?’
‘Well, she’s such a dear little maid, isn’t she? Likes to hold on to my hand, and talks about you and the Manor all the time. She was really excited when she knew I was coming up here today.’
‘You must bring her with you next time. We’ll show her all over the house and she can play in the gardens and see if there’s any injured animals in the hut.’ Kerensa’s face brightened as she talked, for a moment eliminating the trace of deep tragedy behind her eyes, before she became earnest. ‘You will visit me regularly Alice, promise me you will? It wouldn’t do for me to go to Trecath-en, but you can come here as often as you like.’
‘I’d like that, Kerensa,’ Alice said. ‘I promise to come as often as I can.’
She gave an audible sigh of relief. ‘Good, that’s settled. I’ll not have you walking in your condition though. I’ll send Jack or Barney over in the trap for you and you can ride home later today.’ She sprang up happily and pulled the bell rope beside the mantelpiece. ‘I’ll ask Polly to fetch us some of Beatrice’s delicious cold fruit and spiced cordial,’ she said, smiling.
‘That sounds good,’ Alice said. ‘Do something for me, will you, Kerensa?’
‘Yes, of course, anything.’
‘Then keep smiling. It takes away the dark shadows under your eyes. And start eating again. I’ve never seen you so thin before, and with me putting on weight it looks even worse.’
‘Dear Alice,’ Kerensa laughed, ‘as blunt as ever.’
When Polly left the refreshment tray she was pleased to see the two younger women chatting and laughing together. She closed the door after her with a satisfied smile.
Taking her glass from Kerensa, Alice said meditatively, ‘Strange, isn’t it? I used to bring in the tea trays not so long ago. And last Christmas we would never have believed you would marry Sir Oliver and become a lady.’ She added, looking less sure of herself, ‘Or that I would marry the man you were going to.’
Alice still felt on edge. Since she had left her employment at the Manor to marry Clem it had nagged at her as to what Kerensa really thought about it. She told herself often that Kerensa had no claim on Clem after she had married another man, but she knew Kerensa would dominate the greater part of Clem’s heart for the rest of their lives, and Alice believed love had a way of winning through in the end. The thought that Kerensa and Clem might end up together eventually and she would be left out in the cold was a distressing one. Like the feeling she could not shake off that she was an infiltrator in the Trenchard household.
‘You don’t mind too much – me marrying Clem?’
‘It felt strange at first, Alice,’ Kerensa admitted. ‘I know I had no right to, but I kept wondering what it would have been like if I had married Clem. I was very jealous of you. But now I’m pleased for you both… I think you will be good for Clem. I’m glad he’s settled down.’
It was an uncomfortable and embarrassing topic for them both and they were relieved it was done with. A look of deep understanding passed between them that said there was no need for any more words. Alice was cheered inside. She felt certain that Kerensa would not take any course of action that could threaten her marriage.
As Kerensa sat down, Alice took her hand. ‘How are you? I mean, how are you really feeling inside?’
She looked dreamily into space then met Alice’s searching eyes. ‘I’ll be all right, Alice, don’t worry about me. It wouldn’t be half so bad if it wasn’t for Dunstan, of course. I miss him so much. If I hadn’t invited that man into the house, he would still be alive. But Oliver says I’m not to blame myself. How can we know what anyone else will do… I can’t help feeling it’s all my fault though. I will have to try and put it all behind me and look forward to the future.’
‘Will that be very difficult for you, Kerensa?’
‘I won’t let it be,’ she said defiantly. ‘Come on, drink up your cordial and then we’ll take a stroll round the gardens.’
Alice relaxed back into the sofa’s plump cushions. It was good to see some of her friend’s old spirit returning to her again.
Alice’s visit did much to bring vitality back into Kerensa’s mournful soul and salve her aching heart. With Dunstan gone and so few people to call a friend in this new life, and practically no one to visit her in her new surroundings, it was like being given a lifeline to have Alice’s friendship back again. Now that Clem had someone else in his life to turn to, some of her guilt at hurting him lifted from her shoulders. With his child to look forward to, there was something for him to build a new life for. The Reverend Ivey was pleased to find her in a lighter mood than he had anticipated.
They strolled in the warm sunshine, her arm wound around his, and he resting a fatherly hand over hers.
‘A truly lovely day, Kerensa,’ sighed the Reverend, as a light breeze playfully teased his wispy strands of hair. ‘I congratulate you on the beauty of your gardens.’
‘Oh, the credit must go to Jake and the other gardeners, not to me. I do admit though that I’m pleased with everything.’
‘You shouldn’t be so modest, my dear. I detect more than a touch here and there of yours.’
‘The wild flowers, you mean?’ Kerensa said, looking about. ‘I couldn’t bear to live without them growing close by. I was surrounded by wild flowers in and around the cove. Wild madder, thrift, sea kale.’
‘Not forgetting the chicory with its lovely blue petals.’
‘That usually opens only in the morning,’ she added. ‘And stinking iris and storksbill, and kidney vetch as golden as the gorse.’ Kerensa laughed gaily, and the Reverend thought it was a shame the information he had come to impart would no doubt distress her more than anything that had yet happened.
‘Of course,’ she chattered on, ‘many of those won’t grow very well here away from the coastline, but most of the roots and cuttings I’ve taken from the hedges and wayside will.’ Wanting to delay the subject of Kerensa’s mother for as long as possible, the Reverend spoke on many different topics. ‘Do you think you might have the opportunity to hear Mr John Wesley preach in this part of the country later in the summer?’
‘To be honest, Reverend, I haven’t give it much thought. Ruth and Esther are going to, they asked me about it ages ago.’ She stopped walking to sniff a lilac bloom. ‘Perhaps I will go to hear him. Jack could come with me, and Oliver probably wouldn’t mind.’
‘I’m sure he wouldn’t, my dear. You go. It will do you the world of good.’
‘I admire you for your liberal approach, Reverend.’
‘Oh, I see eye to eye with anyone if they preach the true word of God, Kerensa. It’s a pity more of my contemporaries couldn’t do the same.’
Leaving the formal gardens they strolled round the back of the Manor house to the hut for injured animals.
‘There’s a lot of rabbits in here today,’ remarked the Reverend.
Kerensa picked up a young one and checked the bandage on its foot. ‘This one was found in an illegal trap. Most of them that are found are too badly hurt to save. There’s been a lot caught this year in this cruel way – because we had such a dry spring and many more young rabbits have thrived. A lot die if we have a cold wet May, you see.’
‘Really?’ said the Reverend, suitably impressed. ‘You’re such a little mother.’
‘Becoming a true mother is my greatest hope at the moment, Reverend,’ she said, snuggling the rabbit into the straw of its box.
‘I’m sure you will be, Kerensa. You’ve plenty of time yet. You’re very young.’ The Reverend passed her a jug of water and Kerensa refilled the animal’s supply. ‘If you’ll forgive a frank question, my dear,’ he said, ‘how are you getting used to living with Sir Oliver?’
Kerensa pondered on this for a moment. ‘I really don’t know. I seem to know so little about him at times. At least I feel more comfortable than I did when we first married. I’m beginning to see through Oliver’s little games now.’
‘Little games?’ said the Reverend, frowning. ‘I don’t think I like the sound of that.’
‘It’s nothing to worry about, Reverend,’ she said, smiling as proof of her assertion. ‘I can’t explain it, it’s just one of his idio… idio…’
‘Idiosyncrasies?’
‘Yes, that’s the word. Oliver says Mrs Tregonning has them,’ she whispered, like a child telling tales.
The Reverend looked at her fondly. ‘Shall we take a walk through the orchards next?’ he suggested. ‘I do enjoy the smell of apple blossom and there is still plenty left on the trees this year.’
‘You were going to ask me something when you first arrived,’ Kerensa said, when they were outside again.
‘Oh, yes. I was going to ask you about Richard Astley’s widow. I buried her husband yesterday and I’m hoping there might be a position for her here at the Manor.’
‘I know the Astleys well from the Bible classes, they were a close-knit family. It’s so sad. We need no one here, but Oliver told me last night Lady Rachael is to offer Mrs Astley work cleaning at Tolwithrick.’ Kerensa fell into a melancholy silence.
‘Well, that is good news.’ The Reverend left her in her quietness for a while, then gently asked, ‘What are you thinking about?’
She sighed deeply. ‘The Trembaths, the Bawdens, the fatherless Astley children. There’s so much tragedy in the world. It makes me feel guilty to be living in a grand house, wearing fine clothes and having servants to do everything for me if I want them to. I would like to do something useful, feel my life is worthwhile.’
‘I happen to know you have been very good to Rosina Pearce,’ the Reverend said.
‘But there’s so little I can do even for Rosina. She can’t accept much help because Colly objects.’
‘Why don’t you tell Sir Oliver how you feel, my dear? At the least, I’m sure he’d be interested.’ The Reverend stopped, and pulling down the branch of an apple tree drew in a deep breath of sweetly scented blossom. ‘Kerensa, perhaps I should have mentioned this earlier to you. It may help you to know there is one burden you don’t have to bear alone.’
‘Oh?’ She looked up expectantly.
‘You see, I know what passed between you and Samuel Drannock in the church.’
‘You do? Did he tell you?’
‘No, it was Jenifer. She was deeply concerned that you were hurt by Samuel’s blunt refusal to allow you to give them any further help. She also told me of his true parentage.’
Kerensa leaned her back against the trunk of the apple tree. She closed her eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. ‘Oh, Reverend, it’s such a relief to be able to share it all with someone. I thought Oliver had fathered Bartholomew and cast Jenifer aside, and I treated him so badly. I haven’t been able to explain my behaviour or ask his forgiveness. I suppose the best thing is to try to forget it and look towards the future, and do what I need to get everything cleared up from the past. Then perhaps I will be able to settle down here and give Oliver that child we both long for. I’ve come to terms with Clem marrying Alice and my own guilt at hurting him so much. There’s just one thing left and that I simply have to know. Reverend, I want you to tell me exactly how my mother died…’
While she waited impatiently for the writer of the letter she was holding, Lady Rachael Beswetherick held it close to her powdered face and read again for the umpteenth time. As far as she was concerned the letter’s contents were all very mysterious, a suggestion of a secret meeting, but she was apt to allow the simplest of matters to grow out of proportion.
As she reached the bold signature at the bottom of the last page again, she cried, ‘Ah, at last!’ and waved away the servant who was proceeding Sir Oliver Pengarron and about to announce him. ‘Where have you been? How can you be so cruel as to keep me waiting for so long? I’m simply dying to know what you want to see me about!’
Oliver kissed her on both cheeks and sat down, perfectly relaxed, at the small round table set for two out on the immaculate sweeping lawn at the rear of Tolwithrick house. He teased her impatience by gazing lengthily all around them, then said, ‘I’m not late, Rachael.’
She snatched up the letter, her sharp nose almost on the paper as she searched for the time mentioned on it, then pursing her ruby red lips she tucked the letter down into her bosom. ‘You can be an absolute beast at times, Oliver Pengarron,’ she said, sounding aggrieved. ‘I’ve a good mind not to grant you this interview you desire with me.’
‘You won’t do that, Rachael,’ he replied confidently.
‘Oh! And what makes you so certain of that?’
Oliver slowly helped himself to a tall glass of barley water, then drawled, ‘Because you are too nosey.’
‘Well! Of all the—’
‘Shut up, Rachael,’ Oliver said, in the same lazy tone. ‘Facetiousness does not become you. I’ve written to you, you’ve read my letter, you’re desperate to know why I’ve asked to speak to you alone, and here I am. So let’s not waste any more time.’
Rachael threw back her bewigged head and let out a most unladylike laugh. ‘I’ve a good mind to slap your handsome face, just for the pleasure of kissing it better.’
‘Be my guest,’ he said, putting it close to hers.
Rachael couldn’t resist giving him the kiss. ‘You’ll never change, dear-heart, and who would want you to?’
Oliver’s face changed with a remarkable speed to become straight and deeply serious. ‘Kerensa might.’
‘Well, that gets straight to the point,’ Rachael said, also becoming subdued. ‘And I thought it would be her you wanted to see me about. How is she these days? Coming to terms with her double ordeal?’
‘Yes, she is slowly, I think. She’s been much better since the girl who was once her maid turned up one day out of the blue to visit her.’
‘Oh, the one who married the farmer’s son?’
‘Yes, the farmer’s son to whom Kerensa was betrothed. Thank you for being tactful, but I’ve come here today for some straight talking. That was also a shock to her – Clem Trenchard getting married. I want your advice, Rachael. Kerensa is very young, she’s led a sheltered and protected life, and thanks to her grandfather, myself and others, this year has been spent in turmoil. Now, after the attack on her, I’m not sure what to do about her. I want her to be happy.’ Oliver looked a little unsure of himself, then continued. ‘Rachael, despite the many differences between Kerensa and me, in our ages and background, I want our marriage to work. I don’t want to do anything to hurt her. I was hoping you, as a mature woman, could advise me on what approach to take from now on.’
Rachael smiled. ‘You’re getting very fond of Kerensa, aren’t you?’
‘Am I?’ Oliver asked self-consciously, sipping his barley-water.
‘You know you are, Oliver. You dote on the girl.’
He looked down the length of the long lawns but didn’t see the clipped privet or formal rose trees at their end. His mind was back at the Manor. ‘She’s given purpose to my life, Rachael, she’s brought not only life to the Manor but the whole Estate, and hopefully, one day when we have children, there will be someone to pass all my hard work on to.’
‘It’s made me very happy to hear you say that. William and I had often talked in the old days about how lonely you were. Now you have Kerensa, and as far as I can see you are doing all the right things by her. You’re patient and caring and have been staying at home more often.’
‘I don’t like leaving her for too long in case she starts brooding. I planned to come over here today because I knew the Reverend Ivey was calling on her.’
‘You only need to give her time now, Oliver, to get over her hurt, let her mourn for the dog. Everything will be perfectly all right in time, I’m sure of it.’ Rachael put a hand over his. ‘You know, Oliver, I believe Kerensa’s rather fond of you too.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ he returned quickly. ‘She may tolerate me, perhaps she doesn’t feel too badly about me now… but she must still be somewhat in love with Clem Trenchard.’
Rachael took her hand away and cast down her eyelashes, putting her fingertips to pouting lips. She gave a small shake of her head. ‘Well, only time will tell about that.’