Chapters (50)
- Cover
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- The Pengarron Sagas
- The Harvey Family Sagas
‘It’s much more serious than that. Sit down and prepare yourself for a shocking story. You have not been to visit Kane yet, or you would know he’s recovering from a broken leg and other injuries, for which I am entirely responsible.’ When Oliver had finished speaking his voice was hoarse and both bottles of wine were empty. His head felt as if a storm was raging inside it. It was as if he was out on the great seas, all alone in a tumult, being slapped this way by a thundering wave called Loathing, and that way by another called Unforgiven. No one wanted to climb into his boat, no one wanted him to reach a calm port. Kane had not written for over a week, and even Shelley had partly deserted him for the excitements of her new responsibilities in the affairs of the estate.
‘The servants are polite to me and all Beatrice says is,’ he mimicked her, ‘“’Tes yer own bleddy fault!” She regards Kerensa much more affectionately than she ever did me. So, nephew, there you have it. How the mighty have fallen. Have you heard a greater tale of woe?’
‘A tale of tragedy, yes, for I loved my late wife as much as you love my aunt, but as for woe, you have first place, I’m sorry to say, Uncle. Like all women, even my sainted aunt gives way to what I call aberrations of the mind. She’ll come round. It’s hard for you while you’re waiting, but it will happen. I know enough of the good and generous lady who took my mother’s place to be certain of that. And then all will be well. There’s too much good history between you and Aunt Kerensa to be otherwise. Don’t worry about Kane, he doesn’t bear grudges and why care what his wife thinks of you?’ Bartholomew smiled as if sharing an amusing secret. ‘Take heart, that fair-headed piece of scum will never match you. You’ll win the day and with every honour and all the glory. I always do, no matter what is before me, for it is you I emulate every time. No man has ever taught me better. No man has ever outstripped the pride I have in you and, on my honour, none will ever surpass the loyalty I owe you. If I can do anything for you, just name it and I’ll do my outmost to accomplish it.’
‘By the singing of angels, Bartholomew, you encourage me. You can do something for me right now. Revisit the cellar and return with a whole armful of spirits, then drink with me until we cannot stand up.