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
‘But what will you do? Could you really give up all you’ve worked for here? Speaking plainly, as we are, you’d only have what’s left of Catherine’s settlement. Could you bring yourself to live only off her money while you look for something? To p’rhaps not even be a tenant, but a farmhand? Catherine and the children won’t like living in a tied cottage.’
‘I’ve got no choice, Ken, and at least they’ll be safe. I’ll think of something.’
‘You…’
‘What?’
‘You aren’t thinking of returning to Mount’s Bay, are you?’
‘What if I am? Jessica lives there. I enjoyed working on Vellanoweth. Kane would give me work, and when it comes to my pride, there’s not much difference between working for my son or son-in-law. And Catherine will be near her brother, she’d like that.’
‘And Kerensa Pengarron lives round the Bay. Would Catherine like you living near her again?’
‘What’re you getting at? Has Catherine said something?’
‘Give me credit, Clem, I didn’t just come out of the misty wet. For years I’ve seen you gazing into nothing, your thoughts always in Pengarron Manor; you didn’t stop that just because you moved away. And Catherine doesn’t have to say anything, I’ve seen it in her face every day of your marriage, that she knows she’s second best. Even more so since she came back, leaving you down there. Even Sir Oliver’s letter of apology has been little comfort to her.’
‘I told Catherine everything that happened at Vellanoweth. I love Catherine and want for her to feel comfortable.’
‘Did you and Catherine talk about Kerensa?’
Clem gave a smile so guarded that Kenver had no idea what it meant. ‘I worked hard on Vellanoweth, nothing more.’
‘Did you see Kerensa alone?’
‘For a few odd minutes.’
‘And?’
‘And nothing, Kenver.’
Kenver shook his white-blond head. ‘I don’t believe you, Clem. Best we say no more about it. So, have you spoken to Catherine about leaving, and have you definitely decided it’ll be the Bay?’
‘No, I haven’t spoken of it yet, but I will today. And Kenver, let me assure you that whatever I do, it’ll be for the best for my family.’
Kenver went to his workshop, sifting through Clem’s statements for the truth and the lies. Somewhat downhearted, while sawing and planing, he contemplated life at Greystone’s without Clem and his second family. Clem was taking away the only playfellows Rebekah was going to have, and while Philip had always been respectful towards him and Kerris, he rarely ventured to see them.