‘Oh, yes, yes, I’ve missed that so much, Luke.’

‘There’s something I want to discuss with you, Corrie. Will you come with me now to Jack’s cottage?’

‘Of course.’ She was up and on her dainty feet in an instant. ‘Why to Jack’s cottage?’

‘Because what I have to say involves him and his wife.’

Informed by Oliver of the details, excluding the unsavoury ones, of Luke’s former adventure and new venture, Kerensa took his arm and breathed an audible sigh of relief. ‘Pray God he stays this full of purpose.’

Oliver raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Society was used to his public displays of affection. He was satisfied, as was his intention, that Clem Trenchard should observe him perform this one.

Catherine came rushing from inside the great hall with John in her arms. ‘Clem! Flora’s missing!’

‘Eh?’ Clem, standing alone, for he had no desire to mix with this sort of company, had not heard her. His concentration had been all on the Pengarrons.

‘It’s Flora. She’s wandered off. The nursemaid and Captain Pengarron and I have searched everywhere in the immediate vicinity. I only turned away for a moment, and now there’s no sign of her.’

‘Worry not, Mrs Trenchard.’ Oliver, who had overheard, took charge of the situation. ‘An infant can’t have wandered very far. There’s nowhere she could come to harm. Nonetheless, we will mount a thorough search.’

‘Oliver, the lake,’ Kerensa said urgently. ‘It’s a long way off, but I think we should look there first, just in case.’

Oliver organized the servants to make a search in every direction.

The panic was over quickly. Mounting the wide stone steps at the front entrance of the ancient house came Kane, carrying Harry and holding Flora by the hand.

‘There’s no harm done. Harry and I came across this young lady in the rose garden.’

‘Thank God!’ Catherine gasped. ‘I’m sorry for the alarm, my lord, my lady. It’s unheard of, Flora slipping away like this.’

Clem ran down the steps and lifted Flora up, kissing and hugging her. ‘You scared us, sweetheart.’

‘I suppose you and your family will take your leave now, Trenchard. I’ll have your mount and the trap brought round.’ Oliver’s voice resounded from the top step and all around the courtyard.

Clem was infuriated by his dismissive tone. Did the arrogant swine care nothing about his wife’s fright? He climbed back up to confront him.

‘You suppose wrong, but as we’re obviously not welcome here I’ll say goodbye to my grandson, and we’ll walk round to the stables. Come, Catherine, say goodbye to your brother. Bring John.’

‘Sir, I think—’ Timothy Lanyon was cut off by Kerensa.

‘Clem, please don’t leave like this,’ she begged. ‘Oliver, you are impolite. Tell Clem he’s welcome to stay as long as he likes.’