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
‘Just a light shower or two this afternoon, I should think, but a heavy downfall tonight. It should be fine for Master Harry’s baptism on Sunday afternoon. You missed attending church last week – understandable that you should desire more rest – but you’ll find it a splendid occasion. St Piran’s is small, but my uncle’s patronage sees it’s kept in excellent repair.’
‘I shall go to matins with Jack, although I confess I am not keen to attend this Methodist meeting house which he has an interest in, but surely I’m not to be invited to the baptism? It will be for the gentry only.’
Alicia had sewn a cloth ball for Master Samuel, and anticipating this visit produced it from her apron pocket and held it out towards him. Already a few inches taller than the average child of his age, having inherited his father’s advantageous height, he ran up to her, chuckling, said thank you in toddler-talk, then tossed it up in the air.
‘That was very kind of you,’ Cordelia said. ‘Of course you will be at the baptism. The whole estate and parish will turn out for it. My uncle will lay on a feast here, another in the village of Perranbarvah and another on Ker-an-Mor, the home farm. Not a soul will be left out, and illness or infirmity apart, my uncle will see it as an affront if anyone does not attend.’
‘I see.’ The Pengarrons would be the main spectacle, but Alicia felt anxious about being on public display. ‘I can see why my dear Jack was so anxious to return home and have me meet his friends.’
‘I wish my cousin had missed all of us as much,’ Cordelia said forlornly, causing Alicia to look at her downcast face. ‘Tell me, Mrs Jack, did Jack ever mention why Mr Pengarron had failed to visit his two cousins in London, my elder brothers, Mr Charles and Mr Jack Drannock? Was he too busy, do you think?’ Samuel was trying to knock buds off a tree with the ball.
‘Sammy, dear, be gentle now.’ The child stopped, grinned cheekily and carried on as before.
‘I recall no mention of those names,’ Alicia said. ‘I didn’t know you had brothers. You must miss them.’
‘I have another brother, the eldest of the family, Bartholomew. He left the estate many years ago to travel the world and I’ve not seen him since. I also have two married sisters with children of their own, Hannah and Naomi. They have also moved out of the county and I’ve stayed with them occasionally. Now I’m too busy looking after Master Samuel to go far.’