All the manor staff were aware of Kerensa and Oliver’s violent quarrel, of the cooling off of their once joyful, fulfilling marriage. All were affected by the bleak atmosphere they worked in. Jake Angove, the surly head gardener, had issued loudly, taking no care who heard him. ‘Wonder what’s up with the proud bugger this time? No need fer un to be upsetting the little missus so. Found her in the rose garden this forenoon. She weren’t crying nor nothing. She was just staring into space looking all lost and forlorn, poor little maid.’

‘Well, Beatrice,’ Jack said louder. ‘Do you know anything?’

Beatrice grunted, ‘If I did I wooddun say nothin’ ’bout it. Tes somethin’ more ’n’ a mite serious I grant ’ee, but there’s nothin’ we can do ’bout it. Jus’ ’ave t’wait ’n’ see, ’ope it’ll all blow over, boy. Tedn’t good fer the missus to be upset like this though. An’ I’ll tell ’ee one thing, Jack, I won’t stand fer it!’ She tapped the gin bottle with a gnarled finger. ‘I’ll not take too much of this these days. She may ’ave need of me.’

‘What for?’ Jack wanted to know, spitting on the leather and eyeing the crone. ‘Her Ladyship’s not ill, is she?’

‘Never ’ee do mind.’ Beatrice peered at Jack. ‘Whad’re ’ee all ’et up fer at the moment anyway?’

Jack paused in his work. ‘I saddled Conomor for His Lordship’s early morning ride. Off to Pengarron Point, his thinking place, I shouldn’t wonder. Anyway, he reckoned Conomor’s saddle wasn’t near enough polished properly, said I’ve allowed Michael and Conan to get lazy. Got in a proper temper, he did. I thought he was going to kick the stable door down he was so mazed.’

‘Umph!’ Beatrice snorted. ‘If ’e don’t sort ’isself out soon, reckon someone will ’ave t’do it fer un.’

‘You going to try, Bea?’

‘Dunno, I might, might not. Whatever tes, tes too big fer a light tickin’ off, lean tell’ee.’

Jack looked at Reeth, sleeping fitfully and giving the occasional shiver. ‘I don’t like His Lordship’s mood and there’s only one person I wish it on at the moment and that’s the evil swine who did that to Reeth.’

Later in the day, when the rain eased off and the heavy black clouds cleared from the sky, Jack rode to the horse stud on Ker-an-Mor Farm with Kane and Luke to look over a newly born foal. As they leaned on the paddock fence, Matthias Renfree joined them to admire the foal.

‘He’s a real beauty, Preacher,’ Jack enthused.

‘Aye, Jack,’ Matthias agreed. ‘He’s the finest foal I’ve seen in many a year. My father reckons he’s another Conomor.’