She turned to Clem and smiled lightly under his gaze. She was obviously pleased to see him. ‘Hello, Clem, it’s good to see you here, and all the family.’

‘Hello, Kerensa, it’s good to see you too. It’s been a long time.’ He always called her Kerensa. How could he call her anything else, the girl he had nearly married, the woman he loved?

Kerensa gave a small nod and Matthias thought he detected regret in that gesture. She moved away and seeing Alice sitting on a bench greeted her, kissed her and sat down beside her. The Trenchard children instantly rushed to their mother like chicks to a broody hen. The six children eyed each other, it was one of the few times they had all been together. Kerensa had not overdressed her children either and apart from the obvious superior quality of their clothes they melted in quite easily with the other children, as was their mother’s intention.

As their mothers chatted about the wedding, Kane attached himself to Philip and David. Olivia admired Jessica’s blue flounced silk dress, making no mention of its once being one of her own. She retied the new bow Alice had proudly added at the back and was allowed to take Jessica by the hand and lead her across the yard to see the growing foal at the stud. Luke was invited to play with the other boys but refused, going off by himself.

Clem tried to keep Rosie by his side and make sure Matthias was at the other. He glanced often at Kerensa, longing to ask her to dance with him. It seemed such a long, long time ago that they had danced together as two very young betrothed people in love. It hurt and angered him now that it was improper for him even to speak to her unless she spoke first and then only for a few moments. And he was becoming irritated at the inexplicable way Matthias was watching him rather than making eyes at his sister.

Clem put his arm round Rosie and hugged her, hoping she was enjoying the party. She seemed so unhappy these days and had to be coaxed away from the sanctuary of the farmhouse, even to the wedding today. For a brief time she had been different, exhilarated somehow and secretive. The family suspected she was meeting someone and although Clem knew it wasn’t Matthias he would have been pleased to see her happy and in love. He knew only too well the painful loneliness of losing the one you loved. If there had indeed been a man in Rosie’s life, he was there no longer and his dear sister was miserable, and as Clem looked into the beautiful face of the young woman at his wife’s side he knew that she was miserable too.