‘Even more than Kane and Olivia and me?’

‘I love you all as much as your father but in different ways,’ Kerensa said, getting a grip on herself and kissing his hot forehead. ‘You have nothing to fear where… other people are concerned. I’ll tell you both, and Olivia, all about the past when the time is right.’

‘I don’t know how you could love that Clem Trenchard.’ Luke’s face darkened. ‘He’s a horrid man, I don’t like him.’

Kerensa stroked his hair. ‘If you’re thinking about what happened this afternoon, my love, don’t forget you were being really unkind to his little daughter.’

Kane got out of bed and put his arm round Kerensa’s shoulders. She cuddled him, drawing comfort from him. He said firmly to Luke, ‘You were wrong to frighten Jessica, Luke. Just think how Papa would have felt if it was one the twins hurting Olivia.’

Luke looked ashamed but warded it off with a rude noise. ‘Well, everyone knows that you like that man.’

‘Let’s forget that now,’ Kerensa broke in before her sons quarrelled over Clem. That was the last thing she wanted. ‘You bullied a little girl and must take your punishment like a man, Luke. Your father will talk to you tomorrow. Just remember that I love you all and you are the most important things in my life.’

‘Unless you have another baby,’ Kane said thoughtfully, putting his chin on her shoulder.

Kerensa started. ‘If ever that happens then I shall love him as much as I do the rest of you.’

‘Or her,’ Luke said, losing interest in the whole subject but ensuring he had the last word.

Chapter 18

Polly O’Flynn was putting the finishing touches to Kerensa’s hair when Oliver strode ungraciously into the master bedroom. He addressed neither woman and promptly disappeared into his dressing room. When he had washed, shaved and dressed he came back into the room, tall and handsome in clothes of blue, the colour that suited him so well. His waistcoat and breeches were of aquamarine, his dresscoat, lavishly embroidered in gold and black silks, was a deep midnight blue that matched the wide satin ribbon tying back his luxurious hair. Polly had gone and he stood still, irritably surveying Kerensa as she struggled to clasp a crystal necklace.

Three impatient strides and he reached her and all but snatched the necklace from her clumsy fingers. ‘You only had to ask me or that woman to do it for you.’

‘Polly was needed downstairs and in your present mood you are best not spoken to.’

‘What mood?’

Kerensa got up from her dressing table and stepped away but Oliver caught her shoulders and whirled her round, making her shudder. It would have angered her if she had not been so weary.

‘What mood?’