‘I’d love to, sweetheart, but Philip wouldn’t have that. Your stepmother and me and the twins will come back before Christmas, I promise.’

‘Livvy must be somewhat excited today. I hope this George Spears character likes her paintings.’

Receiving no answer, she stared into her father’s face. She was used to his silences, when he went off into his own thoughts. Before, he had always looked drawn, morose, sadly lost, now his eyes were bright and he was smiling from somewhere deep within. There was only one person in the whole world who could make him look like this. Jessica was deeply worried.

She shook his arm. ‘Your bed wasn’t slept in last night, nor many a night before. Where do you go?’

‘What a strange question.’ He wiped his hands down his shirt front to dry them. ‘I’ve always gone off to be alone, you know that. I miss my dogs, it’ll be good to have their company again.’

Jessica flicked a fly away from her. ‘But whose company have you been keeping? My mother-in-law’s?’

‘Don’t be foolish.’ Clem gave a sharp laugh.

‘Oh, Tas, you’re seeing her, aren’t you?’

‘Oh, look, Kane’s managed to get to the doorway, and he’s got Harry with him.’

Jessica waved to Kane. He was regaining his strength quickly now the infection in his leg was finally gone. He was leaning on crutches, and had Harry tied to his body in the same manner Jessica did. ‘We’re on our way in, dearest,’ she called out, but she had not finished with her father. ‘Dear God, don’t you know what danger you’re in? Sir Oliver will flay you alive!’

‘He can try. I hope he does. Then Kerensa will start to hate him.’

‘She won’t leave him. He wouldn’t let her.’

‘He’s got no hold over her.’

‘She wouldn’t leave Samuel.’

‘I haven’t asked her to. Do you think I’d leave John and Flora? I have more love for my children than he has for his. I don’t behave in a manner that could kill them.’

‘What about Catherine?’

‘Jessie, I’m doing nothing wrong. And I’m eager to see Catherine again. I’d like to stay on and help with the harvest here but I’ve my own fields to see to, and now Kane’s so much better, I’d be getting in the way.’

‘Yes, it’s time you were leaving us.’

Jessica led the way indoors, regretting her need to have her father close all these weeks, and she wished, how she wished she had not challenged him over her suspicions. She kept nothing from Kane. What would he say, how would he feel about what his mother and her father were doing? Jessica was scared, if Kane told Sir Oliver…