She flounced off to present herself to the middle-aged wife of the local coroner and master of hounds, a woman of sharp tongue and ill-nature whom she would normally shun. She found her husband Timothy in her path, looking at her gravely. Not his habitual animated self.

Olivia met his disapproval at her behaviour with challenge and scorn. They had quarrelled last evening on the matter of her apparent infertility. She had been hurt by the injustice of it, she wasn’t doing anything to prevent conception. Why all this fuss simply because she did not desire the ties of motherhood yet?

He offered her his arm. She thrust hers to jar against his elbow and allowed him to escort her to Mrs Harrt who was surrounded by a gaggle of frivolous gossips. Timothy promptly left her there. He looked a little lost, until Kane suggested he accompany him to join Luke.

‘It appears Olivia could well learn to do a little obeying of her husband. Methinks your son-in-law is desirous of fatherhood,’ Lady Rachael observed in her high-pitched voice. The same age as Oliver, she tried, sadly unsuccessfully, to disguise the effect it unfairly made on her gender, with powders, rouge and face patches. Her extravagant gown was too tight at the bodice and the panniers on her waist ridiculously wide.

Spying the tall, blond farmer who had stood across the church font from Oliver, she was intent on a little mischief.

‘My word, what pretty infants over there. Twins! Like two adorable cherubs. I must get Olivia to decorate the ceiling of my bedchamber with their likenesses. Whose are they?’

‘You wouldn’t want their likenesses anywhere but in your water closet,’ Oliver observed dryly, while staring at Kerensa for her reaction. He was angered to witness her flinch.

‘They’re my half-brother and half-sister and Harry’s uncle and aunt,’ Jessica cut in, looking loyally at John and Flora, who were sitting at a side table, napkins tucked in under their chins, eating morsels of food with delicate manners, their parents in attendance. ‘Harry’s waking up for a feed. I’ll take him along to Beatrice’s room, Mama-in-law. She’s expecting me. Thank you for Harry’s gift, Lady Rachael.’

‘Oliver!’ Kerensa rounded on him the instant Jessica left. ‘You’ve upset Jessica. Why must you keep up with these sort of witticisms against the Trenchards? They’re sarcastic and unkind. Clem’s only going to be in the house a little longer.’

‘He’s already been here far too long.’