Adam Renfree called at the manor each morning to advise Kerensa on the activities of the estate. He hovered over her like a worried maiden aunt, puzzled by the rift between the young woman he still looked on as a ‘dear little maid’ and his master, a man he admired and respected. To Adam it was all such a shame, such a great pity. What had got into the pair of them? What could have happened to turn their idyllic life together sour?

Before he began his latest visit Adam stopped in the stable yard to discuss with Nathan the increase in poaching on the estate since Oliver’s absence. He took no notice of Jack saddling Kernick outside the pony’s stall, thinking he was going to exercise it, but he stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Kerensa waddling across the yard. She was dressed for riding.

He stalked over to her. ‘You didn’t oughta be thinking of riding in your condition, ma’am.’

‘I’m not going far, Adam,’ Kerensa retorted, not looking at his severe face and hoping to get away without any fuss. ‘I feel restless today, I must get out for a while.’

She was almost pleading with him but Adam felt he had a duty to stop her. Jack fastened the last strap of the pony’s tack and looked up uncomfortably. It was obvious he had tried and failed to forestall his mistress.

‘Then I offer you my arm, ma’am, and we’ll take a stroll round the grounds.’ Adam barred her way to Kernick. ‘If you have a fall and hurt yourself His Lordship will never forgive me, went forgive myself neither. I’m sorry, but I insist—’

‘I’ll take Jack with me.’ Kerensa glared at him. ‘I will be perfectly all right in his company and I’m not prepared to argue about it, Adam.’ She looked round the side of his shoulder. ‘Jack, saddle up for yourself without delay.’

‘Well,’ Adam pushed his fingers underneath his cap and scratched his head. ‘I s’pose it went hurt if Jack goes with ’ee, just for an hour or so round the grounds.’ He added crossly, ‘I’m not happy about it, mind.’

Kerensa stubbornly set her face, turned aside and was confronted by Nathan. She was vexed with herself for blushing as she read in his broad bushy-eyebrowed face that he shared the opinion of the other two men. He said nothing and this made her feel more cross and guilty; it would have been easier to argue him down.

Adam took Jack roughly by the arm and hissed, ‘Watch over her carefully, boy.’