‘Course Ted’s not drinking,’ Adam said, nodding at the bridegroom who was bouncing his youngest stepchild on his knee. ‘He’s saving his energies for later on. A man who’s stayed unmarried as long as he has will need a clear head to satisfy a comely widow like Lou.’

‘Really, Father!’ Matthias complained in exasperation.

‘Ahh, get on with ’ee, boy, a little bit of that would do you a power of good. Ted’n right for a man to be going without, don’t know how you put up with it.’

‘Must you bring that subject into everything you ever say? And there is nothing wrong with a man being chaste. There’s plenty against being morally loose!’

Adam was unrepentant. ‘Yah! Nature’s nature and that’s the end of it. I’ll see about lighting some lanterns, be getting dark drekkly.’

Matthias knew he would never win with his father. Adam was a law unto himself. Inclined to fits of hot temper, he liberally added a variety of swear words to every other sentence. He even swore in front of Sir Oliver, who rarely uttered an oath himself and disapproved of it in others. But he seemed to be oblivious to his farm steward’s bad language. Matthias had given up trying to convert his father; Adam was extremely antagonistic to any form of church or Christian fellowship and Matthias had decided the task was best left in the hands of the Almighty.

‘Don’t worry, Matthias,’ Clem Trenchard said in his friend’s ear. ‘Your father can hold his drink.’ Clem had no interest in weddings but he had joined Alice, Rosie and the children in the hope that the occasion would provide him with an opportunity to get his sister to notice Matthias. He was also hoping Kerensa would be there.

‘That’s not the point,’ Matthias responded soberly. ‘He’s dependent on the bottle now.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, but never mind that now, we’re here to celebrate a wedding.’

Clem made a quick movement forward. Matthias turned and saw the reason why. Kerensa had entered the barn with her three children. She was smiling and gaily greeted everyone. As she approached the two men, Adam’s voice reached them loudly as he concluded a ribald joke.

‘I’m very sorry, m’lady,’ Matthias apologised.

‘It’s all right, Matthias. It’s only Adam being Adam and I don’t think the children heard, they’re too busy looking about,’ Kerensa said brightly.

She looked beautiful, though pale and a little thin, and had dressed plainly so as not to detract from the bride. Clem stared at her and wanted to ask if she was ill but it would be improper – improper to ask after the welfare of the woman who should be his wife! Was she ailing? Alice had not mentioned anything of the kind, but she had been unusually reticent in mentioning Kerensa of late.