‘It isn’t your decision to make, Kinver!’ Oliver roared, bracing himself for sudden attack.

‘My sister isn’t going to spend the rest of her life living in poverty with some ne’er-do-well,’ Bartholomew’s teeth grated on the words. ‘Tell us where they are or you’ll be the first to die.’

‘What’s all this talk of killing, Bartholomew? We’ve come here only to take Cordelia home safely.’ Oliver was shocked at his nephew’s clear intent; was there some truth to Alicia Rosevear’s allegation? He was fearful now for Kerensa’s safety if a fight broke out. He squared off from the opposing family.

‘Hal Kinver, you say my niece is not here. I would like to search your house.’

Hal swept a massive arm towards his threshold. He was not a warring man, seeking only to protect his kin and what was rightfully his. ‘Go ahead, Sir Oliver. Look in every room, search every cupboard an’ corner. I’ve told ’ee no lies, but I’m willing to let ’ee look for yourself. And when you do, take a good look round. You’ll see this property’s not run down, nor poorly furnished, nor are our cupboards bare. Our land is well teeled and our beasts are well cared for. We’re humble, but not poor. Not so common as you believe either. This house and land was given to our late mother by our father, Mr Cecil Doble. You’ll even find a picture of he on our walls. Like your niece, we’ve got good blood in our veins.’

‘Oliver, perhaps we should listen to what Mr Kinver is saying,’ came Kerensa’s careful opinion. She was at Oliver’s side, hugging his arm. ‘Cordelia is not a child anymore, it’s time we all stopped thinking of her as such. She’s made a decision, and before we try to wrench her away from this man, who Jack and Alicia are convinced she loves, and by their account, who will treat her well, we should think about what Cordelia really wants. Has our love not triumphed across the social divide and every other circumstance?’

‘Never! I’ll not allow it!’ Luke uttered disbelievingly. How could his mother suggest such a thing?

‘I’m afraid you have no say in this, Luke.’ Kerensa turned to him, offering a comforting hand. She knew how badly he was feeling about Cordelia’s elopement, over how he had failed her. ‘You had your chance with Cordelia and must now accept she has chosen another man.’

‘I won’t allow my sister to live in this place, not after what she’s used to,’ Bartholomew swore.

‘She and Morgan aren’t ’tending on living here,’ Hal said, with meaning in every word. ‘Be a bit too overcrowded anyways. They’ll make their own way in the world. He’s got means put by, she’ll not go without nothing.’