‘That’s perfectly all right, Kerensa, don’t concern yourself,’ Ameline said quickly. ‘I don’t expect you to nursemaid me. You have your house and family to care for, not to mention all the people who come begging your help in the parish. I have been content to be on my own and think about my future.’

‘Where do you usually ride?’ Kerensa asked searchingly. ‘I will have to join you on your last outings before you leave.’

‘Oh, along the cliff tops mainly, not too close to the edge of course.’ Ameline tried to sound offhand while fussing unnecessarily with the floral posy on her gown. ‘Sometimes on the outskirts of the oak plantation, other times around the parklands. I have had plenty of time to think. There, I am ready to go down now.’

Kerensa stood in front of the bedroom door so Ameline could not escape her questions. ‘Do you ever go to Trelynne Cove?’

Ameline hesitated for just a moment.

‘Occasionally.’

‘And when you’re out do you ever see anyone, anyone at all?’

‘I’ve seen the gamekeeper once or twice, and the farmhands of course.’

‘Anyone else?’ Kerensa was not going to give up.

Ameline was no good at keeping secrets. ‘There was a young fisherman in the cove…’

‘That would be Bartholomew Drannock,’ Kerensa said, watching for Ameline’s reaction.

Her face lit up to a gentle beauty as she blushed a deeper red. ‘I think that is what he said his name was. He told me you have given him your permission to be there.’

‘That’s right, I did. What did you think of him? He’s rather handsome, isn’t he?’

‘Is he?’ Ameline returned to her dressing table, picked up a powder puff and dabbed at her burning face.

Knots churned in Kerensa’s stomach. This was something more to add to her worries. How was she going to get through this evening – and what lay beyond it? ‘Hurry up, Ameline,’ she said like a bossy mother, ‘or the men will see in the New Year without us.’

Kerensa had not mentioned to Ameline that the fourth man downstairs was Hezekiah Solomon and a shock like an ice floe invaded her as he came forward and proffered an exquisitely manicured white hand. He bowed with a flourish. ‘A pleasure of infinite proportions to see you again, Miss Ameline.’

‘Good evening, Captain Solomon,’ she replied tightly, moving quickly on to James Mortreath who was already tugging at his neckcloth as if he was choking. ‘James,’ she had not called him James before but hoped the intimacy would deflect the small frightening sea captain’s interest away from her, ‘how lovely to have your company tonight.’

‘Miss – Ameline,’ James said, his face glowing with delight that she had addressed him in such a friendly, forthright way. ‘I would—’