Kerensa felt tears pricking behind her eyes. If he took her to task with his cruel tongue over this then nothing would stop them. ‘I… I wasn’t sure what to do. I thought perhaps you wanted to deal with it yourself.’

‘I suppose we ought not be too lenient with the little fellow this time,’ Oliver said, his tone thankfully genial. ‘It has never been a tradition of the Pengarrons to torment little girls.’

‘What will you do?’

‘I’ve told Luke and Kane they can have a race for the ownership of the black foal. He can be confined to the gardens for a week. The restraint will be hard for him.’ Oliver laughed heartily. ‘It’s difficult to believe he’s so young at times, only two years older than that little sweeting Jessica Trenchard.’

‘Yes, Jessica is a sweet child, I wish I had more opportunity to see her.’ A thought occurred to Kerensa. ‘Doesn’t Olivia wish to have the foal?’

He was immediately vexed. ‘Do you think I would leave my little girl out of anything? I asked Olivia if she wanted to take part in the race and she very firmly said she did not. She’s too attached to Gipsy, her own pony, and is happy for Luke and Kane to fight it out between themselves, so to speak.’

‘When will they have the race?’ Kerensa asked, laying aside the brush and burying herself under the bedcovers, hoping Oliver would take the hint and allow her to go straight to sleep.

‘When the foal is trained and ready to be ridden will be soon enough.’ Oliver abruptly changed tack. ‘Why are you so far away from me?’ He leaned across the bed and pulled her into his arms. She stiffened, but surprisingly he did not take exception to this. ‘You’re very tired, aren’t you? It doesn’t matter, there’s always another time.’

She expected him to let her go, to turn his back or leave the bedroom. But he held her, very gently, nothing more. And it gave her hope.

Chapter 19

Kerensa awoke to find herself alone. Her hopes that Oliver at last saw her in a better light were dashed by his sulky face over the breakfast table and his surly response to her every remark. She was further dismayed to learn he intended to spend all day at home.