Olivia had asked the question but she instinctively backed away from him. Hezekiah was sure the child was afraid of him; he would play on her fear to rid her from the room. He advanced on her as he answered.

‘If I am invited I shall be honoured to stay, my dear.’

Staring back with her eyes doubled in size Olivia retreated to Kerensa’s side and clutched her skirt. ‘May… may I go and finish my painting for Father, please, Mama?’

‘Of course you can, cherub,’ Kerensa said. ‘I’m sure Captain Solomon will excuse you. Run along and ask Cherry to help you tie your apron.’

Olivia disappeared in a flash. Hezekiah looked into Kerensa’s eyes.

‘A painting for Oliver? Let us hope it will not be too long before he is back at home to see and enjoy it.’ It was a good beginning to rub salt into her wounds, then he could offer the salve to soothe them.

‘The children miss him very much,’ she said sadly. ‘We all do. Have you any idea at all, Hezekiah, when he will be back?’

‘No, I’m sorry, none at all,’ Hezekiah answered, sounding wistful.

‘But he sailed with you, I know that much now. Did he say nothing to give you even the smallest clue?’

‘You know Oliver only too well. If he does not wish to disclose something, nothing will persuade him to do so.’ This was a truthful statement. Oliver had said nothing of his reasons for making the journey other than that he needed to get away from Cornwall, or of his intended destination or length of absence.

Kerensa sighed and smiled weakly. ‘I suppose he’ll come back when he’s done whatever it is he’s so set on doing. I just hope and pray it will not be much longer.’

‘It is a pity, my dear, that he left no word of his intentions. But how are you coping, Kerensa? The estate must be of great concern to you. There is no need for me to sail for a long while yet, in fact I am free to stay in Cornwall indefinitely, so if I can be of any assistance to you I offer it gladly.’