‘Aye,’ Clem answered stoutly, ‘there’s been a lot of changes since you took off. Since Kelynen’s birth Kerensa and Alice have wanted your children and mine to grow up knowing each other. I don’t like it but I agreed to it, eventually. They both went on at me about it, and they’re anxious for it to continue.’

Oliver studied the handsome fair-haired young man and hated him three-fold for having so much to do with his family. He knew he could do nothing to alter the arrangement without causing a major upset and he was certain that Kerensa would not tolerate it if he tried. He was careful not to show his disapproval but he wanted to wipe the smugness off Clem’s face.

Kissing Olivia again, he said, ‘You must tell me all about it later, sweeting.’

‘The boys fight,’ Olivia said, hugging Oliver’s neck and pulling at his hair.

Oliver began to walk back to the stable yard. He would tolerate Clem Trenchard’s presence on his property no longer. Clem fell in step beside him.

‘I can’t imagine our sons getting along, Trenchard,’ Oliver said dryly, over his shoulder.

‘Kane’s amiable enough, but the twins and Luke fight like he-goats.’

‘So there’s rivalry between the next generation, yours and mine, Trenchard.’

‘’Tis not unexpected. What could they possibly have in common?’

‘Nothing I can think of, but I suppose only time will tell.’

Back in the stable yard Clem spotted Jack watching from his bedroom window and gave him a friendly wave. He wondered if Kerensa was behind one of the numerous windows, watching them too, anxious to know what was being said between the two men she professed to love.

He smiled gently at Olivia, whose face was so much like the one he loved, then looked at Oliver.

‘I’m serious in the hope that the boy makes a full recovery,’ he said briefly.

‘At least I can thank you for that, Trenchard.’

Olivia asked to be put down and ran into the house. Oliver and Clem did not bid each other goodbye. They thought they knew the measure of each other and somehow both were content to leave it at that – for now.