‘I don’t care what that Spears fellow thought about your landscapes, your seascapes, or anything else. I was jealous of your ambitions before, I admit that in company, but I really do admire all your works, as have the people who’ve bought them in the past. The more you paint the more your style will develop. I’ve brought four of your best works with me and Luke is going to take them up to London, for a second, a third and even a fourth opinion, if need be. Your talent will grow with the right encouragement, of that I am sure.’

‘Oh, Timothy!’ Olivia gasped, elated, then she ran round the table to hug him.

‘Both our gifts will be put the test, but our dreams need never die, Livvy,’ Luke bawled mirthfully down the table.

‘Good for you, Timothy! I propose a toast!’ Kane rose to his feet, his leg quite improved now. He had drunk a good deal of wine and staggered a little. Jessica grabbed him and steadied him, amid much laughing.

Kane was happy and heartily relieved he did not have to go to Greystone’s Farm. In agreement with Timothy, Jessica had been given the unenviable task of writing to her father about Oliver and Kerensa’s reunion. ‘To new beginnings,’ Kane said. ‘The marriage of Cordelia and Morgan. The success of Luke’s plays and Livvy’s paintings and to whatever Bartholomew’s latest venture may be. To my little brother, Sam, for a long and happy life, and my new little cousin, Tamara, that she will enjoy growing up in Cornwall. To the good health of Miss Mary Caroline Rosevear and the coming of Livvy and Timothy’s baby, and –’ he smiled proudly – ‘I would like to announce that Jessica and I will be adding to our own nursery next spring!’

When all the cheers and good wishes had died down everyone rose and the toast was finally drunk.

Then Kane went on, looking down to the foot and up to the head of the table, ‘And to you my very dear Mama and Father, whom we all love so very much.’ He could not add publicly how everyone felt about their reconciliation, the sudden hush of emotional silence spoke for him.

The toast was drunk and the noise and joyful banter broke out again.

Then everyone watched as Oliver strode down the room. He bowed to Kerensa and taking her by the hand led her up to his chair. ‘Sit there, beloved.’

He fetched a chair from beside the door and placed it next to hers and sat down. ‘This is how things should be,’ he said. ‘Equal in everything and always together.’

There were rounds of applause and cheers enough to threaten to bring the ceiling down. Beatrice and Polly and the other servants crept into the room and joined in.