‘The horses are well, so I’m told. I’m afraid I haven’t had the time to look for myself but Adam Renfree has been supervising them so there is no need for you to worry, and you have trained Michael and Conan to a high standard, don’t forget. The stables are lacking your touch, of course, but you’ll soon put that right.’

Oliver looked uneasy. He leaned forward on his forearms and gazed, without seeing, at Jack’s feet.

Jack curled his toes until they were out of sight. He waited uncomfortably for his master to say something more. He felt he ought to be standing, at a respectful distance, not able to look over the bowed black head.

Oliver looked serious when he raised his head. ‘I’m here for two reasons, Jack, three if you count me looking in on you.’

A terrible thought raised Jack’s voice a note too high. ‘It’s not Master Luke is it? He’s not—’

‘No, Jack. We think Luke is over the worst. He was sleeping quite peacefully a short time ago.’

‘I’m some glad to hear that,’ Jack said, puffing out his relief. ‘Poor little fellow…’

‘First of all, Jack, I want to thank you for trying to protect Her Ladyship on the day you were attacked. It was a very brave thing that you did and a dreadful experience for you both. It was a shock to learn of it. I feel responsible for what happened, and ashamed.’ Oliver spoke as intimately as to a close friend. ‘None of these terrible things would have happened if I had been here.’

‘You mustn’t say that, sir. And I really didn’t do anything. Didn’t even get a blow on one of ’em before I was laid out on the ground. It was Her Ladyship who got help, and her with the baby coming… Has she told you she let me choose the little one’s name, Ann?’

Oliver raised his eyebrows and it made Jack blush and look away.

‘No, I don’t mind, Jack. I have a lot of lost time to make up and these last twenty-four hours have given me one shock after the other. No matter, I shall learn all there is to know when I’ve had the opportunity to speak to Her Ladyship at length, and eventually you may know where I have been and what I’ve been doing for the last six months.’

‘There’s no need for that, sir. You must have had your reasons. You don’t have to explain anything to me,’ Jack protested loyally.