At one time Oliver would have been furious to be spoken to like this, but he nodded and said, ‘My father would have had you horse-whipped for saying such things to him.’

‘Why not you?’ Clem challenged, standing ready, as if to ward off being struck.

‘You know that kind of retribution is not my way, Trenchard. A short time ago I would have fought you, cleanly and fairly, but now it doesn’t matter. I am back and I have Kerensa. I don’t give a tinker’s cuss about what you think of me.’

Quite unexpectedly, Clem smiled wryly, but he said, ‘Feeling your age, are you?’

‘I think age, breeding, maturity, and a pleasant personality win every time over the likes of you, Trenchard.’

Clem did not blanch but just looked steadily back. It seemed neither man was to be provoked. Oliver realised that Clem Trenchard, too, must have undergone changes in his absence.

The dogs crept forward on their bellies and sniffed at each other, wanting to get more friendly.

Oliver pulled out his tobacco pouch. ‘You can tell Alice that Luke is sleeping most of the time,’ he said. ‘Dr Crebo is of the opinion he will pull through but we won’t relax until a few more days have passed.’

‘Aye, ’tis natural to worry. I hear his arm is pretty bad.’

Oliver filled his pipe, then in an intimidating gesture offered the pouch to Clem. Clem considered refusing, but accepted it as though he was a man of equal standing.

They began to pace the yard, puffing fragrant smoke on the cool breeze. Grass and moss were growing between the cobblestones and Oliver kicked disapprovingly at a weed.

‘This is the sort of thing that happens when a man goes away for a while.’

‘Aye,’ Clem said, ‘and it was a long while in your case. The stable boys must be finding it hard with Jack laid up, a lot of responsibility for them.’

Bob and Charity had followed faithfully on their heels but basic instinct soon took over and they sniffed each other and suddenly scurried off.

As they walked, the two men were thinking about each other. Deeply jealous that his baby had been delivered by Clem, Oliver was wondering what effect Kelynen’s birth had had on him. Clem was eager to know what sort of reception the baronet had received from Kerensa, and what he thought about all that had happened since his departure.

They moved out of the stable yard and rounded the side of the house. Clem had never been here before and was impressed by the wealth of colour each side of the summer house. Sweet william, gladioli, hydrangea bushes flowering with blue, white, pink and purple crowns. The gardens were immaculate; Jake Angove and the under-gardeners had not slackened in their work.