‘Thank you, Hezekiah.’ She smiled back and returned the courtesy. Hezekiah liked to be complimented on his clothes. ‘You look more handsome than ever. Sea-green and silver are most definitely your colours.’

‘You are too kind.’ He made one of his customary bows, pulling delicately at the froth of intricately patterned white lace protruding at his wrists. ‘When are we to be graced with the charming company of Miss Ameline?’

‘I’ll go up and hurry her along.’ It was a relief to have an opportunity to leave the winter parlour. Oliver had been making subtly disdainful remarks at her expense, addressing her with exaggerated terms of endearment and causing Hezekiah to cast curious glances at them both.

Hezekiah looked at Oliver. He did not speak but there was a question on his ageless face that Oliver could not ignore.

‘What is it, Hezekiah? Do you want another drink?’

Hezekiah held up his sherry glass and swirled the nearly full contents in reply. ‘I would like to know what the trouble is between you and Kerensa.’

‘It’s none of your business,’ Oliver said shortly.

‘Oh? As serious as that, is it?’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Serious enough for you to speak to a close friend as you would a disobedient servant.’

Oliver sighed and pulled a wry face. ‘I apologise to you, Hezekiah. I’ve something on my mind.’

‘Try taking me into your confidence, it might help,’ Hezekiah offered.

Oliver sipped from his sherry glass, his expression thoughtful. Then he spoke as if he didn’t want to but felt compelled to. ‘It concerns Bartholomew Drannock.’

The other man’s eyes flickered with interest. Bartholomew Drannock? The young fisherman whom I brought to your attention? Have you found out something interesting about him?’

‘Yes,’ Oliver said sharply. ‘I have found out… learned from questioning the Reverend Ivey that the youth is indeed of Pengarron stock.’

‘I see, but that comes as no real surprise to me or to you. Please do go on, Oliver. You have me intrigued.’

Oliver wearily sat down and looked straight at his friend. ‘It seems that my father also sired the boy’s father, Samuel Drannock, thereby making him my half-brother and Bartholomew and his brothers and sisters my nephews and nieces.’

‘And this has upset Kerensa? It wasn’t your fault.’ Hezekiah frowned. ‘It does not fit her character to find exception to this.’

‘It is not Kerensa who is upset, Hezekiah. It is I who have not yet come to terms with the revelation.’

‘You take issue to having peasants as relatives? Many a gentleman has one or more turn-of-the-blanket in the world to give proof of his virility. No, it does not ring true to you either.’