The intimidated expression returned to Blake’s face. He wiped a film of rain from his eyes and blinked hard. ‘What… what did you talk to Rosina about?’

‘The recent fishing boat tragedy at Perranbarvah,’ Oliver said aggressively, watching for any reaction.

‘Why should that concern you? And what connection is there between that and you and I?’

‘You’ve refused Matthew King and Bartholomew Drannock a living from the lugger the Young Maid, have you not?’

‘What if I have? I’m a businessman and can’t afford to allow inefficient fishermen to fish from my boats.’

‘King and Drannock are not inefficient. They are among the best in Mount’s Bay. The tragedy was an accident due to rapidly changing weather conditions and neither they nor any member of their families were to blame.’

‘How would you know that?’ Blake asked scornfully. ‘And what is your concern anyway?’

‘My family have always had the honour and duty of presenting the incumbent to the parish of Perranbarvah and I’ve always made a point of taking an interest in all that goes on within that parish’s boundaries.’ Bending his height to bring his face to within an inch of Blake’s, Oliver continued acidly, ‘As to how I know the tragedy was an accident, I’ll have you know, you little weasel, that as a boy and in my youth I went out on the boats many times with Grandfather, Solomon and Jonathan King. I know what good fishermen they were, and a little of the awesomeness of conditions out at sea and how quickly they can change. I am fully satisfied there was no negligence on the part of any of the men in either of the two luggers.’

Oliver chose his next words carefully. ‘From the conversation I had with your wife I learned that she believes that when King and Drannock came to see you yesterday you acted very differently from their report of it. Your wife thinks you will allow them to fish from the Young Maid when it is repaired. You wouldn’t have her believe otherwise, would you? To learn the hard truth of your business affairs?’

Peter Blake did not answer. His face, usually smooth and pale but now purple with rage, shook with the rest of his fashionably clad body.