The more she saw of Clem, during brief moments in the house or yard, the more she found herself responding to his longing to be with her. Each time she left Vellanoweth she saw the hope die in his eyes, the sadness in his expression grow stronger, and she wanted to be with him, to reassure him, give him her affection and her love.

To be alone with Clem would be dangerous. She feared Oliver would find out and the inevitable confrontation that would follow, but it wasn’t her main concern. Since their marriages, she and Clem had twice ended up in situations where they had nearly made love. She knew neither of them would hold back now.

She did not look away from Clem quickly, even though Jessica was eyeing them. She gave him a half smile, left him with half a hope.

Rosie Renfree knocked on the office door of Ker-an-Mor Farm and entered the spartanly furnished room.

Sitting grimly at the desk, Oliver growled irritably, ‘I thought I’d made it clear I didn’t want to be disturbed.’

He was throwing himself into work, going meticulously over reports of every concern of the farm and estate, and then going over it again, no matter how trifling the issue. Nit-picking. Tossing away plans and re-forming them. He had to keep busy, give himself no time to think or his misfortunes would overwhelm him.

Ignoring him, Rosie said, ‘I think you will for this young man, sir.’

Looking up, Oliver stared at her and the child she was carrying in her arms. A fair-haired child with striking blue eyes, presently yawning and stretching with strength and vigour.

‘Is it Harry?’

‘Yes, sir, he’s come for a visit.’ Oliver sprang up to claim hold of his grandson, Rosie’s great-nephew.

‘It was good of you to ask Jessica if you could bring him here to me, Rosie.’

He gazed down at Harry. A month had passed since the accident and the baby had grown in breadth and length. Oliver kissed his chubby cheeks.

‘I didn’t, sir.’

Someone else came into the room. ‘Hello, Oliver.’

He raised his brows. ‘Kerensa! You are responsible for this? Jessica has relented at last?’

‘I was able to make her see it wasn’t fair to keep him away from you.’

‘I’ll see to some tea.’ Rosie left, closing the door carefully.

Left alone with his wife, Oliver set stern eyes on her. The gulf between them had iced over part of his heart, as it seemed, on the few occasions they were now together, it also had hers. The sense of betrayal over what he saw as her fickle love for him sat in his guts like a hard rock. Then Harry gurgled, and he remembered that except for Kerensa’s thoughtfulness, his grandson would not be here.

‘Thank you for bringing Harry to me.’