‘It all sounds very honourable. Be assured you have my blessing. I can’t think of anything better than having you as my close neighbour. Choose which ever slice of land you care to, I shall consult my solicitor over the legal side of it on the morrow. Why not live here while I’m away? Alicia will be delighted to have your company, but please, Corrie, I would very much like to retain Mrs Curnow’s services. It was she who safely delivered little Mary Caroline.’

‘I’d like nothing more, Luke. I’ll ask Morgan what he thinks, but I’m sure he’ll agree.’

‘Excellent, how well things are moving. Have you heard the splendid news that my parents are happily reconciled?’

‘Yes, isn’t it wonderful? I wrote to them from Bath and received an immediate reply. I must say, I am relieved mine and Morgan’s beginning was not as complicated as theirs.’

‘So all ends well for us, Corrie, dear.’ He made a quizzical face. ‘Did you really think you were in love with me?’

‘Yes, Luke, but I know what real love is now.’

‘You may have had more good fortune than you think. I was going to ask you to marry me. Would you have accepted?’

‘Let’s not waste time over what may have been, Luke. Will you content yourself only with the fleeting comfort Amy Curnow gives you when you come home again? Do you not think it is time you looked for love?’

‘Definitely not.’ He ushered her to the door. ‘It seems to me that love prefers to reveal itself at just the right moment rather than being tracked down. I hope, if it ever shows itself to me, I’ll not be too preoccupied with other things to recognize it. Now, let us go down to Morgan and we will all go to see this lovely baby.’

At the foot of the stairs, Cordelia had a sudden thought. ‘Luke, what is the title of your play?’

He laughed aloud. ‘I’ve named it with you in mind. The Strength of Innocence.’

Forty-Two

Beatrice was plodding along to her room, a jar of gin cradled in both arms. When she neared the dining room, where Polly O’Flynn was stationed outside, supervising the comings and goings of succulent fare and empty dishes, the two women exchanged unrestrained gestures of delight.

Their master and mistress were holding a goodbye supper party for Luke and Bartholomew. All the family and a number of their friends were sitting around the dining table, and the room, indeed the whole manor, seemed to be reverberating with laughter and scintillating talk.

‘Goin’ t’ be all right from now on,’ Beatrice grinned and spluttered. ‘I don’t jus’ feel it in me water, I knows it for certain, sure!’