‘And I’ll always love you, Clem,’ she said softly, then her ravaged feelings came to the fore and she said resentfully, ‘You would never leave me. Why did he have to go? Why is he making me suffer like this? Must I be punished for ever? It’s not fair, I tell you it just isn’t fair!’

‘Don’t, Kerensa,’ Clem pleaded, ‘don’t get bitter.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she whimpered, and went limp in his arms.

Clem stroked her hair and held her close. ‘I have one comfort for you, my love. I promise that you’ll never be bothered with the sailor again. You can at least live in peace that Kane will be safe for ever from any threat from him.’

‘What did you do, Clem?’ Kerensa murmured against his chest, and although she trusted Clem she became tense again.

‘Well, after you left me the day before yesterday I went to see Cap’n Solomon.’

‘Hezekiah? Why him? I thought he had sailed on the early-morning tide.’

‘He changed his mind apparently. I’d noticed his ship moored up at the Mount before I brought you in here out of the rain. I went aboard the Free Spirit and asked him to help us.’

‘What did he say?’ she asked, looking anxiously at him now. ‘Did he do something?’

‘We talked, and he was only too happy to help. He said he happened to know the sailor was wanted for a hanging offence, somewhere abroad he said it was, it’s of no matter where. He assured me he’d take the sailor back to see justice done. You can forget all about him.’

Kerensa sighed, then said in a small voice. ‘If Hezekiah didn’t sail until later perhaps Oliver sailed with him. He didn’t take Conomor when he left.’

‘You think he’s gone across the Channel then?’

‘He could have. I thought perhaps he’d just gone off somewhere close by to think. I sent Jack over to Mullion to look around our cottage there but the caretaker had seen no sign of him. If he’s gone overseas, it suggests he’ll be gone for a long time.’

‘I’ll wait with you, Kerensa,’ Clem said softly.

She traced a finger down his cheek, ‘Yes, I know you will.’

They looked into each other’s eyes. Clem smiled. It was the same gentle smile that had looked at her every day of their betrothal long years ago. It made her feel special, so loved and cherished. If she had married Clem he would never have let hurt and resentment overshadow his love for her. His love would have grown only stronger over the years.