Rosie knew Philip was jealous of other children talking to Ricketty Jim, he considered the man ‘belonged’ to him and his twin, but Rosie was sympathetic to Philip’s point of view over Luke Pengarron. Once, when she had been up at the manor kitchens, Luke had muttered, ‘I see the peasants are about again,’ and she had been offended.

‘Well, never mind him,’ Rosie told Philip. ‘We must be getting back or half the morning will be gone.’

‘Is Uncle Matthias at the farm?’ David asked.

‘No, why should he be?’ she replied, getting annoyed.

‘Well, he’s there all the time these days, spends more time with us than at Ker-an-Mor.’

‘Yes, and constantly hanging around and getting in the way,’ Rosie said sharply.

At this Ricketty Jim looked at Rosie curiously. ‘I’ll walk down to the farm with you, Rosie,’ he said. ‘Clem’s asked me to make some dung pots for him today.’

Ricketty Jim chatted all the way to the farmyard carrying a delighted Jessica on his shoulders but Rosie shut herself off and let the children talk to him. A little while ago the rover had shaved off his beard and tidied his hair which revealed a not unpleasant face round his large brown eyes and his age possibly not above forty. With only his bent legs and rolling walk to his disadvantage, some of the unmarried local females had begun to show an interest in him. But not Rosie. As she made for the well to draw water for the kitchen, she wished the world was devoid of all men.

In the six weeks since Oliver Pengarron had suddenly absented himself, Matthias Renfree had kept a close watch on Clem and called more often at Trecath-en Farm. He was worried that now the rift between his master and mistress had taken this turn for the worse, Kerensa would look to Clem for comfort and Clem would no doubt try to rekindle the old feelings of love they had once shared. Matthias had no evidence that anything furtive was going on. Clem wandered off frequently with Charity trotting at his heels, but it was something he had always done. Kerensa for the most part stayed close to home – she was showing signs of being with child – and Alice Trenchard had increased her visits to the manor. After Miss Ameline Beswetherick’s wedding day, too, Lady Rachael had stayed for a long period at the house. There had been little opportunity for Clem and Kerensa to meet privately even if they’d wanted to. But if that happened, Matthias hoped he could appeal to Clem’s better sense, remind him that he had a wife and family.