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
‘Do you really want to leave here, Clem? Or is what you really desire to simply move back to Mount’s Bay?’
‘I won’t deny I’d like to live near Jessica. Yes, we have made this place our home, and I’ve felt a sense of freedom here.’ Of a sort he had not experienced under Pengarron’s landlordship. ‘But we must leave because of Philip, and that’s all there is to it.’
‘Clem, I know things are difficult for you, and what man wouldn’t be justified with what you’re feeling with Philip’s actions, but I don’t agree with your—’
‘There are no buts, Catherine!’
‘Yes there are!’
The frustration was getting too much for her and this became one of those rare occasions when she angrily and emphatically raised her voice. A voice to be attended to, and Clem listened in sullen silence.
‘Philip sinned and fathered a child, but that child is now being brought up in a loving and secure home. The mother died in pain and fear, but she’s better off in heaven, never to suffer again by living with a vile mother who sold her body to men. Oh, yes, Clem, it’s true. I’ve made enquiries into the life of the wretched Nollie Skewes. Philip struck you, but it was out of temper and embarrassment, and isn’t it only your pride that’s making you so unforgiving? He has his faults and his constant chasing after women is to be deplored, but he’s been a good son to you, and while I accept your concerns about him, I think you are allowing them to get out of perspective. I’m aware that Philip has looked me over, but that is all, he respects my position as his stepmother.’
‘So, I’m just a bloody fool, am I?’
Catherine ignored his self-pity. ‘There’s one more thing I will say to you, Clem.’
‘A pearl of wisdom from the Bible, parson’s sister?’
‘Not once in the two years we’ve lived here, and not since your quarrel, has Philip mentioned that it’s his and my money that bought this farm. To people round here it’s you who is Farmer Trenchard, not your son. I call that loyalty, respect and sensitivity on Philip’s part. You need to stop living inside your head, Clem!’
Catherine stalked out of the room, marched up the stairs, and for the first time in her life forgot she was a lady. ‘Damn you, damn you, Clem!’ She kicked at his work clothes, which he had dumped on the floor.