‘Forgive me, Kerensa. I’ve been so concerned at Oliver’s behaviour towards you these past months,’ he lied, pulling and prodding at his elaborate clothes in an unconscious attempt to help himself into a calmer state of mind. ‘I have had to stand by helpless while your marriage has foundered like a hapless ship. I must ask you this, why did you not tell him he was to become a father again? It might well have brought him to his senses.’ Hezekiah was furious. With his plan of seduction foiled he felt no desire to be tactful. ‘I may as well tell you, I know all about the Drannock boy.’

‘I see. Oliver told you Samuel Drannock was his half-brother?’

‘Yes, I know the whole story.’

‘I didn’t tell Oliver about the baby because I hoped he’d get things clear in his mind first. I didn’t know he planned to go away and when I did find out I didn’t want him to feel trapped and resent me all the more. If I’d known he was intending to go off I would have told him a long time before.’ Tears filled Kerensa’s eyes and ran in tiny sparkling droplets down her pale cheeks. ‘Now when he comes back he’ll be able to accuse me rightfully of keeping another secret from him.’

And not the only one, Hezekiah thought. What would Oliver think of Clem Trenchard coming to see me about your eldest child’s real father trying to blackmail you?

He said, ‘It would have been better if you had told him, Kerensa. You need him now, don’t you?’

‘More than ever,’ she said from graven lips. ‘I only wish I knew where he was, then I’d beg him to come back to me.’

Hezekiah watched her cry softly. A short time before he would have hoped for this, then he could have put his arms about her, held her close, comforted her. Once a woman was in your arms the next step was so much easier, and she would have felt so good to hold. But all he could do now was to watch her shaking body and grow steadily more frustrated. He looked at her with cold detachment. What was this feeling, so strong and powerful, called love? It turned men and women into fools! Why did people desire it so much? It was as dangerous and destructive as it was supposed to be wonderful. Here, in this wretched, beautiful young woman was the clear evidence of it.

In a grim voice Hezekiah suggested she lie down and rest and he rang the bell for Polly to come to her. He left without enquiring what it was she had been about to ask his assistance for. He rode from the manor with a boiling rage seething inside him and his mind went straight to the cold shiny blade nestled inside his riding boot.

Chapter 24