‘Don’t tire yourself, Jenifer. As you already know what I came here to tell you I’ll leave in a little while so you can rest. I only need to know if Bartholomew and your other children, my nephews and nieces, have been told my father was their grandfather.’

‘Not as yet, but they must be told. They have the right to know the truth before they learn it from another source and suffer the same shock you unfortunately did. Bartholomew has always had his suspicions, you know. Many times he has remarked on his resemblance to you. I have been hoping you would return before my time came, but when I felt the time was very near, I would have told them myself. I ask only one thing of you, Sir Oliver, be with me and let us tell them together.’

‘I’m glad you’ve asked me that, Jenifer. It will be the best thing to do.’

‘I have a question for you, Sir Oliver. What do my children, Samuel’s children, really mean to you? Do you have any objections to acknowledging them publicly as your kith and kin?’

‘I have no objections, Jenifer. I will be proud to make the fact known all over Cornwall. And please, no more of this “Sir Oliver”. I am your brother-in-law, so just Oliver from now on. I will call again, in a couple of days, and we can talk to the children then, if that is agreeable to you.’

‘It is. Will you bring Kerensa with you? She was so pleased with our good fortune. I always enjoy her company when she calls.’

A look of uncertainty showed on his face. ‘I will bring her,’ Oliver said quietly. ‘If she will ever go anywhere with me again.’

‘Why should she not?’

‘More to the point, why should she? I have treated her extremely badly, she must be deeply hurt.’ Oliver bowed his head and looked at his feet.

He looked up again when Jenifer said, ‘Kerensa loves you. Have you any doubt she would not go to the ends of the earth for you?’ She reached out and placed a trembling hand on his. ‘You said you are proud to have my family as part of yours, but have you rid yourself of that other pride? The pride that drove you away from the people that love you the most in all the world?’

Gripping her withered hand, Oliver brought it tenderly to his lips and placed there a gentle kiss.

‘Yes, Jenifer, it is all gone. It was a long and painful experience, but I could not come home until I’d endured it to the bitter end.’

Jenifer looked out across the sea. ‘He’s out there somewhere… my Samuel… When our little business is done I can die in peace and take my place with him. My only regret is that he never purged himself of that useless destructive pride as you have done.’

Chapter 29