‘Tell us now, Kinver!’ Luke bawled in fury. He made to push past his father, but Oliver flung out an arm to prevent him.

‘I won’t be stopped. Where is my sister?’ Bartholomew pulled out the pistol he had nestled in his belt. ‘You have five seconds, big man, or I’ll shoot you down like a dog.’

‘Be careful of him, Hal Kinver. This man is a murdering swine!’ Alicia’s voice seethed with hate, causing Kerensa to gasp in horror; what did she mean?

Jack shot his wife a look of warning to be cautious. Oliver frowned, but kept his eyes fixed on the giant.

‘I’ve no need to lie to any of ’ee. She’s gone off with Morgan. You won’t see she again till they’re wed. They’re in love. That’s the way of it, and there isn’t a thing none of ’ee can do about it.’

‘Thank God,’ Alicia got in before anyone else could comment or make a new threat. ‘I’m so pleased all is well for her. It’s what she and Morgan deserve.’

‘Shut up, Alicia! This would never have happened if not for you and Jack. You had no right to interfere.’ Luke twisted round and glared at them with utter reproach. He felt betrayed by their actions, and isolated, excluded, shunned. Eventually, when everyone at the manor had begun to worry over Cordelia’s late return from her ride and the fact that Jack was also missing, Alicia’s presence had been demanded by the family. With pride, she had produced a letter that Cordelia had written, of her intentions to go to Morgan Kinver. Cordelia had penned many paragraphs on the wretch’s character, making him sound like a saint.

‘Where did they go?’ Oliver advanced on Hal Kinver. Luke and Bartholomew matched his steps. Oliver was in control but he was also angry, annoyed and anxious. In his preoccupation over his personal life he had let Cordelia down, and Kerensa was feeling even more guilty, declaring she should have been aware of all Cordelia’s moods. They were afraid she had made a terrible mistake, but Oliver would make sure she was not beyond their help.

The Kinvers crossed over the same length of ground. Oliver and Hal were almost eye to eye.

‘If we knew where they went we wouldn’t tell ’ee,’ Hal curled his mighty fists, widening his aggressive stance. He motioned his great dark head towards Luke. ‘She’s better off away from he there! Treated her like a skivvy, he did. Snapping her head off whenever the fancy took un. Too busy scribbling away and bedding his whore of a cook to see how unhappy the little maid was. My brother’ll make her happy, and come hell or high water, the rest of us Kinvers will see he gets the bleddy chance!’