As he listened, Kane ran a hand through his red hair. He knew he had no Pengarron blood in him but had always felt a true member of the family, knowing how special he was to his adoptive parents. And as the eldest child of the family he believed he should take care of the others and in many ways he had tried to take on the responsibility as head of the house in Oliver’s absence. He felt a dismal sense of failure over Luke’s accident. He looked across at Oliver, feeling better now that his father had discarded his strange peasant costume for his usual clothes.

‘Father, I don’t want the foal, not ever,’ he said vehemently. ‘I don’t expect Luke will either when… when he’s well again.’

‘Don’t worry about that now, son, we’ll decide what to do with the foal at a later date.’

Oliver knew at once which boulder Luke had landed on. The bloodstains spattered on it told the whole story. He looked steadily at the boulder. There was a smaller one at a right angle to it, with thick growths of fern and creeping wild plants around it. Leaning over to look beyond the foliage he saw what had terrified his small son.

Chapter 30

Oliver went into one of the manor’s smaller bedrooms and found Jack sitting miserably in a cushioned chair staring out at the stable yard below. He put up a hand to stop Jack from rising then carried a chair to the window and joined him.

‘I’ve always enjoyed the view from this window, Jack. If you put your head out far enough you can see for miles and you can make out the course of the stream running right through the oak plantation.’

‘Yes, m’lord. I like it here so I can keep an eye on the stables and watch the horses going to ’n’ fro. Can’t tell you how I felt when I saw you galloping out of the yard yesterday on Conomor. Didn’t know the reason then. ’Tis some good to have you back, sir,’ Jack said, swallowing hard.

‘Thank you, Jack. It’s good to be back, and it’s good to see you again.’