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
‘Because,’ she drifted down on the bed, absolutely miserable, ‘you want to move back there. Because, just like Sir Oliver, you can’t bear not to be near his wife. I saw how happy you were the moment we arrived at Timothy’s house. You’ve never been as happy as that here with me. And don’t lie about it. I couldn’t stand it.’
‘Cathy, my love.’ He went to her, picking a path through the damage. Sitting close, he wrapped his arm round her trembling body, trying to make her feel safe and wanted. ‘I’m telling you the truth. I got my worries over Philip out of perspective. I love you, Cathy. Listen to me,’ and he repeated the three most vital words in the world very, very slowly. ‘I love you.’
She fell into a heavy quiet, but allowed him to bring her face against his neck. He held her in his arms, kissed her fever-maddened brow. Soon he would suggest, for a second time in a few short weeks to a distraught woman, that he’d help her clear up a mess of her own making, of her own things.
‘I’ll talk to Philip, make things up with him. I owe him my forgiveness in view of his loyalty. We’ll stay here, build on our life together, Cathy. Everything will be all right, I swear.’
Despite his tendency to set himself apart, he knew Catherine as well as any devoted husband knew his wife. He did not doubt that she was already shamefully sorry for her loss of decorum and for the wilful destruction, and that she was too steadfast and humble, and wholly dedicated to him and his hopes and needs, to continue the argument. Now she had dispelled his fears about Philip, improved his confidence and given him every reason to hold his head up in local circles, he felt a little at peace.
Downstairs, he had realized that his plan to live closer to Kerensa was a stupid one. Jessica and Kane knew the truth about him and Kerensa, they would never allow him to live and work at Vellanoweth. Even if they did, Pengarron would never let Kerensa out of his sight, and continuing their love affair would have been impossible. At least this way he might be able to see her alone occasionally. It was all he could settle for. He must act more wisely from now on, his desires for Kerensa were blanketing his good sense.
He became aware that Catherine was staring at him. Kissing her lips, he smiled to reassure her. He owed her that. He owed it to her to make her happy, feel wanted and cherished. To feel the love he was able to give her.