For all these years, Kerensa had kept the things Clem Trenchard had given her as a lovesick youth. No, damn him! Trenchard had never been lovesick. He had loved Kerensa in the same way as he did, with a man’s love, all-enduring, uncompromising, everlasting. And Kerensa had been in love with him. Still was, if she had needed to keep his love gifts and take them out and look at them.

Had she been holding them, just a while ago, to her breast? Regretting the outcome of the past? Wanting Trenchard, longing for him? Just how much was Kerensa looking forward to seeing her old love at their grandson’s baptism?

He went to his dressing room and threw the bracelet into a closet, then strode downstairs. He knew where Kerensa would be at this time of day.

She was in her private sitting room. Busy with the menu for the baptism, she put it aside at once and rose to share an embrace with him. They sat on the sofa.

Kerensa gazed at him. He was holding her very tight.

‘The Bennets family are all well.’ He anticipated her first enquiry as to how his day had gone. Kerensa felt she had a duty for the welfare of the entire parish and estate. ‘They send their thanks for the lace you sent over for the elder daughter’s wedding.’

‘Let’s hope all goes well for the ceremony next month. Where’s Kelynen? The dressmaker arrived for a fitting for her dress for the baptism, but as usual she had slipped away to be with you,’ Kerensa said vexedly, yet could not help smiling.

‘You are so good not to begrudge the time she spends with me. She’s taken a kitten to the hut. It was blinded in one eye after an unwise encounter with one of those fierce cats that always seem to be about Trecath-en. Jacob Bennets was about to put it out of its misery, but Shelley pleaded for it. With the help of one of Beatrice’s potions the wound should soon heal. She’ll have to find a home for it elsewhere, of course, I can’t be doing with constantly watering eyes.’ Oliver looked thoughtful, ‘Our daughter is full of compassion as well as being intelligent and talented. She takes a keen interest in all the affairs of the estate. She could very likely run it as efficiently as any man.’

‘I know, Oliver. Beloved, I can’t see why she shouldn’t do something to help run the estate. It’s what she wants.’ Kelynen had implored Kerensa that very morning to impress this fact upon her father.

‘Luke will be home shortly and it would not do for him to see his younger sister, barely out of childhood, taking over his occupation. We may well have a hard task getting him to settle as it is, if his mood has not improved.’