‘Apparently they were so drunk when they were caught, one is thought to have believed himself to be in Truro.’

‘All they miles away! P’raps they thought they’d sell the ponies for the races.’

‘Well, it’s a relief to know they’ll all be hung. Apparently they’ve been found guilty of many other crimes too.’

‘Serves ’em right,’ Jack said with feeling, his hands going instinctively to the parts of his body injured in the attack. ‘’Tis probably they who’ve been murdering and cutting up all they people. We was lucky, they might have cut we up too.’

Kerensa shuddered and reached out to Jack. ‘Are you in pain, Jack?’

‘Just a little, m’lady, there’s always a dull ache somewhere, but ’tis just reaction mostly, that’s all. You don’t need to fuss over me so, although I must admit I rather enjoy it,’ he added.

‘And I enjoy it too. Besides, it keeps me busy. Kelynen Ann rarely wakes up between feeds. Olivia is absorbed in her painting, and Luke and Kane are often out in the grounds practising their race for the foal.’

‘I’m some proud to be asked to give another name to the baby,’ Jack said humbly. ‘I always liked the name Ann. ’Tis simple but pretty. I keep wondering, though, what His Lordship will say…’

‘I made a vow on that terrible journey I made to Trecath-en Farm that if you and the baby got through the ordeal all right, you would choose one of her names. Kelynen was my choice, well… Anyway, Sir Oliver can choose as many names for her as he wants when he comes home.’

‘I’d feel happier if Ann became her last name then. ’Tis a good name to finish off with.’

‘Don’t worry, Jack, Sir Oliver won’t feel it improper for you to have picked a name for his daughter in the circumstances. After all,’ she said tightly, looking away, ‘he was the one who wasn’t there.’

Quickly changing the subject, Jack said, ‘The children on Trecath-en Farm are like Masters Luke and Kane, always off on their own getting into mischief. I enjoyed watching what they got up to. All the family were good to me during my stay there. Morley used to sit with me and tell me about the time he worked on the estate in his younger days, and till I could see properly Kenver read his poetry to me. I used to watch him at his craftwork, he’s some clever. I think it made a change for him to have someone about him who couldn’t dash about on their two feet. The things he makes are a wonder to see, all the better when you’ve feared you’d never see again.’

‘How about Clem?’ Kerensa asked slowly. ‘Did you get on well with him?’