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
Intense, incensed, Luke stalked up to Hal Kinver. ‘When you next see your brother and Miss Cordelia, tell them they may settle where they will, with no opposition from me on any account. Also, tell my cousin she and her husband may call on me any time they wish. And also hear this, I am not as small-minded as you would have tell of me. The people of Porthcarne are under my patronage, I will always see them right and do whatever I can for them. But I will certainly not stay and drink with you.’ To his parents he said, ‘You will rest and dine with me before returning home?’
‘We’ll be along soon.’ Kerensa smiled at him.
To Bartholomew, he said in hushed tones, ‘My play is in its final stages. I take it this incident will delay your departure again for London, until you have seen Cordelia and know that her well-being is assured. I’m sure this rabble will get word to her that she need not hide away. By then, I shall be ready to accompany you on the journey up to London. I do not forgive you for what you did to my friend, nor do I admire the man you have become, but I should feel safer, in the circumstances, if Sir Decimus Soames sees, when I present my plays for acceptance to the theatres, that I tolerate your company.’
‘I should like to have you with me,’ Bartholomew said grimly, ignoring the insult, his firearm now hidden away. ‘I’ll return to my daughter now and call on you in a day or two.’
On reaching the horses, Luke ignored Alicia. To Jack, he whispered, ‘See to it that your wife does not reveal to my father why she hates Bartholomew so much. I suppose you are staying here for the present? I should like to speak to you later – alone.’
Wanting to explain his actions to Luke, but wisely holding his peace until they had this private talk, Jack held his young master’s horse while he mounted. He watched sadly as Luke rode off without a backward glance, holding himself erect and aggrieved in the saddle.
Jack’s next thought was for Alicia’s welfare. She had endured a long ride, taken at a fast pace for a woman nearly eight months’ pregnant. She was grimacing and massaging her back with both hands. He shivered. She was staring at Bartholomew with utter malice, her lips moving silently, ill-wishing him again.
He guided Alicia to her pony. ‘This is a happy day. Miss Cordelia and Morgan Kinver will be wed and able to live in peace, and at last Sir Oliver and her ladyship are back together. Now it’s our duty not to delay in going home.’