Kerensa stoked up the fire without speaking and when the logs were roaring she cleared laundry off a chair by the table and sat down. ‘Wouldn’t you be warmer over here by the hearth, Jenifer? It must be draughty by the door and with the window nearly over your head.’

‘I’d rather stay here, thank you. Samuel and I used to sit here together so the children could be nearer the fire. We’d cuddle up under a blanket and wear extra clothes to keep warm. Sometimes we’d be so comfortable we’d fall off to sleep and not bother to go to bed. In the summer we’d leave the door open for the fresh air. Samuel would pick up the settle and place it where we could look out over the sea. It’s a heavy piece of furniture but he was so strong… we’d sit and dream of all the things we’d like to do…’

‘You were very happy together,’ Kerensa said gently.

‘Oh yes. I have been very fortunate… blessed. Samuel and I fell in love from the very moment he stepped inside my father’s chandlery shop. We never lost that wonderful feeling over the years.’ Jenifer was smiling at her memories and Kerensa’s heart went out to her. ‘You know how it is, don’t you? You and Sir Oliver share the same kind of love we did.’

Kerensa nodded, touched by the beauty and pain of Jenifer’s words. ‘You mentioned your father, Jenifer. He must know of the accident. Have you sent word to him? He may wish to help.’

‘No, no, my dear. My family disowned me the day I married my Samuel. The Milderns are not of a forgiving nature. They know what has happened, but no one has been to see me or sent any word. To them I married beneath me and must bear the consequences till the day I die.’

Kerensa moved to Jenifer and kneeling down beside her took the cold hands from the woman’s lap and held them tightly in her own. ‘I’m so sorry about Samuel, Jenifer,’ she whispered against a lump in her throat. Loving Oliver the way she did, she could feel the agony of Jenifer’s loss. ‘Please, won’t you let me and Oliver help you and the children?’

Jenifer firmly shook her head and stroked the soft, damp, auburn hair from Kerensa’s brow with rough, ridged fingers. ‘No, no, Kerensa, Samuel wouldn’t take charity while he was alive and I won’t go against him now. Don’t distress yourself over me, it will only be a brief parting for me and Samuel.’

By her deathly pallor and the sunken eyes in Jenifer’s face, Kerensa could well believe it. Then there would be six orphaned children to consider. ‘Can’t you think of it as friendship, not charity, Jenifer?’