‘You’re having a good look at me,’ he said. ‘Do I remind you of someone or have you never seen a fisherman at such close quarters before?’ She blushed again, but not prettily as he was sure Kerensa would have done.

‘I’m sorry, I did not mean to stare but you do have a certain look of Sir Oliver about you.’ She looked at the sea. ‘So you’re a fisherman. Living inland as I do I didn’t realise how magnificent the sea is. Apart from glimpses when at Marazion, this is only the second time I have really seen it.’

‘Aye, it’s beautiful and dangerous, its own master, untameable but irresistible.’

‘Yes, I agree with that.’

While Ameline gazed at the mesmeric waters, Bartholomew set to thinking. Ameline Beswetherick was not the first person to observe that he resembled Sir Oliver Pengarron. It had happened often over the years. He had caught Kerensa looking at him in that strange sweet way of hers; had she noticed it too? He could easily become convinced there was Pengarron blood in him.

He had wondered if Sir Oliver could be his father although he would never believe his mother lacked the proper morals. Sir Oliver was known as a womaniser before his marriage, but although many a gentleman thought nothing of forcing themselves on village maids with no regard for the consequences, Bartholomew did not consider Sir Oliver to be one of them. On talking to his mother casually about Sir Oliver he’d learned that the baronet had been away with his regiment when he’d been conceived so he could not have sired him. Nevertheless, it might be worth his while to root about a little more. Looking at Ameline it occurred to him she might be of some use to him.

‘Do you know what’s out there across the sea, Ameline?’ he said, turning on his charm to the full.

‘We’re looking at the English Channel so we must be facing the Channel Islands and France, Bartholomew,’ Ameline replied, pleased she knew and didn’t appear an idiot.

‘I suppose you must have worn some of the French fashions smuggled in through Sir Oliver’s ventures.’

‘Yes, I daresay I have. It must be a very exciting place to live for the aristocracy but I really think I’d prefer England, particularly London. I’m quite fond of Cornwall but I’d quite like to live in London. Have you ever set foot on foreign parts?’