Leaning forward, a spark of energy igniting in his dark eyes, Luke started hesitantly but grew ever more enthusiastic. In the end, it was as if he was on fire. ‘While in London the only thing I really enjoyed was the theatre. I loved the drama, the atmosphere, the costumes, the faces of the audience and their reaction. I even loved it when the productions were awful and abuse was hurled at the players. I found I could lose myself in the themes behind the plays. I felt alive somehow. I’d go back to my lodgings and remember everything I’d seen and heard and somehow feel elated. Jack enjoyed them too. We’d talk for hours about them. I wish they had theatres and playhouses on such a scale in Cornwall.’
‘You’re saying you want to be an actor, Luke?’ Oliver kept his face straight. He didn’t want his son and heir to follow this course, but thinking of his despair, how could he not give his blessing?
‘No, no.’ For the first time in ages Luke laughed with true humour. ‘I want to write plays, good ones, tragedies and comedies and fantasies and love stories, stories that people will enjoy and remember all their lives. I want to entertain people, make an impact on their lives. After watching a play I used to restructure the plots and scenes in my head, knowing I could do better than just about anything I’d seen. I’d even started to write a couple but left them behind, thinking…’
The old melancholy regained its grip. Feeling stupid, and even betrayed, that he had share his deepest yearning, he gazed down at the Turkish rug beneath his feet.
‘Thinking you’d have no use for them, that I’d not release you from the estate,’ Oliver finished for him. Rising, he stood directly in front of Luke. ‘Well, my son, I think you should give your ambition a try, live where you will until you come into your inheritance. Here’s my hand on it, or are you too grown up to give your father a hug?’
Luke didn’t ask his father if he really meant it, he never said a word he didn’t mean. He was up on his feet and in his father’s bear-hug embrace. He was crying a river of release, a flood of joy and gratitude, and regret. For being so full of his own desolate self for so long, he had not realized the depth of his father’s compassion.
‘I don’t know what to say.’ He wiped away his tears, shaking in excitement. ‘Except that I’ll never stop thanking you, Father.’
Oliver smiled. ‘Where will you move to? Not a hundred miles away, I hope.’
‘No, definitely not. I’ll give it some thought, but I shall stay in the county, near the sea. What better place to gain the inspiration I shall need? And Mama will not be distraught, she can come to stay whenever she wishes. All the family can.’
‘Find yourself a house then. I advise one that is established and needs little attention, perhaps with a retained staff. I’ll arrange for the money to be released whenever you wish. Only remember this word of caution, there’s just one person who can ruin your opportunity to make well of yourself, Luke, and that is you.’
‘I know that, Father. There’s no need for you to fund me, I have money. Twenty-five thousand I’ve brought back from London.’
Oliver pierced Luke with a steady gaze. ‘And how come you by that? From nothing legal, I’ll warrant.’
‘I won some at the gaming tables.’
‘The rest?’
Luke went quiet.
Oliver became grim. ‘Were you involved with a certain Lord Alexander Longbourne? And is Jack’s wife Longbourne’s presumed-dead mistress?’
‘I should have known you’d be acquainted with the facts of Longbourne’s death and the surrounding circumstances. But Alicia was more properly Alex’s common-law wife, they were very much in love and only her lower rank prevented their marriage. Alex had huge gambling debts and knew he’d not be spared, so he charged me and Jack with Alicia’s safekeeping.’
Luke recounted the true facts of how he and Jack had come by their burns and injuries, their flight to Cornwall, and how he had slipped back to his lodgings and obtained the twenty-five thousand from its hiding place.
‘Alicia was in equal peril from these men – you must know their title – the Society. After Alex’s murder, I felt marriage to Jack the best course for her. It was easy to talk him round. You must have noticed he’s in love with her. Alicia complied, she needed a father for her child.’
‘Dear God, Luke, you’ve tempted the devil even more than I in my youth!’ Oliver swept his hands up in the air. ‘This Society of which you speak is saturated in evil. To benefit from their dishonest business practices, or their fixed race meetings, or one of their great number of other unlawful connections, means one is likely beholden to them forever. They arrange death by duels, they’ll stop at nothing to further their ends. They’re in commerce, government, the royal court, even the clergy.
‘Typical of you to make alliance with someone like Longbourne, a weak-skinned wastrel. Pray God, that sleazy set never seeks you out to call in a favour. Even I would not wish to cross swords with Sir Decimus Soames. You realize that by yoking Jack and yourself to this woman it would be ill-advised to show your face again in the capital, at least for a very long time, and you must always keep one eye looking behind you? It’s a good thing you wish to live quietly. I’m relieved you’ve told me all this, it enables me to look also to your protection.’
‘Thank you, Father.’ For the very first time Luke blushed in disgrace.
‘Well, all is done and you have chosen your next course. One other thing, how do you propose to promote your plays? It might be unwise to have them performed under your own name.’
‘I shall think of that when the time comes.’ Luke was too excited to let anything dampen his enthusiasm. He already knew his first play, act by act, scene by scene, word for word. ‘Of course, when I find somewhere to live I shall take Jack and Alicia with me.’
‘You have a need of Jack’s companionship – I accept that, but I feel sore to lose him. He is more than a servant to me also,’ Oliver said quietly. ‘You wish to live by the sea, you have the wherewithal to consider the Polgissey estate, it’s been on the market for some weeks. Write your plays, and then we will see how things stand in London. Now wash your face, allow yourself ten minutes and go downstairs and do what you must in respect of my guests. And Luke, there’s one lady you especially need to make repair to.’
‘Mama. I know. I’m sorry I’ve given her so much worry.’
‘Your mama, yes, but I was thinking of Cordelia. You’ve hurt her more than you know.’
Alone in his room, Luke covered his mouth to forestall a whoop of joy. He hadn’t felt like this, dizzy, kind of silly, ecstatically excited, since boyhood. So many years had passed since he’d had something to look forward to. Splashing his face with water from the pitcher on the washstand, he fell down on his bed laughing, bubbling over with sheer happiness, making his father smile as he left his door.
Jack was hovering further along the corridor, out of earshot. The instant he saw Sir Oliver emerge he marched straightway to rejoin his younger master.
Taking his arm in a firm grip, Oliver dragged him back to a discreet distance. ‘I now know the truth of what occurred in London. Explain to me why you saw fit to repeat the lie about a fire at an inn when we talked soon after your return?’
‘Mr Luke asked me to, sir.’
‘And that’s it, is it?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘I thought I would always have your first loyalty, Jack Rosevear. You’re a good few years older than my son, and there is none other I would trust with his welfare, perhaps even his life. I charge you to put him first from hence, even above this wife that you love. Do I have your oath on it?’
Jack was devoted to his wife, but he said, ‘I swear on God’s holy name, I’ll do what you ask of me, sir.’
* * *
Looking up from the rug where she was amusing Samuel with wooden building blocks, Cordelia watched as Luke and Kane, who was holding Harry, approached them. For once, Luke’s handsome face was a wreath of smiles. Hope pricked Cordelia’s heart, but she was wary. Qu
icker than the weather, his moods could change.
The men sat down beside her. ‘We thought we’d join you.’ Kane smiled. He greeted Catherine and Cherry, who were conversing nearby about the twins’ routine. Luke ignored them and built a brick tower with Samuel.
Cordelia looked at the two men inquisitively. Why was Luke suddenly so cheerful, so friendly, after the shameful goings-on in the stable yard? If she had not been given custody of Samuel again, she would have slipped away and spied on Luke and the young gentlemen, and witnessed the proceedings. Obviously, her uncle had worked some magic on Luke, but then, Uncle Oliver was capable of anything.
‘Yes, sweeting.’ Luke grinned. ‘I’ve made my peace with Kane and introduced myself properly to young Harry, and I’ve got something for you.’
Her small, dark face lit up at his longed-for renewed interest. ‘Have you brought me back a doll from London for my collection?’
‘No, it’s this.’ He kissed her cheeks and held her a long time in a warm embrace. ‘I’m sorry for being such a miserable crosspatch. Forgive me? Can we go back to the way things were before?’
‘Oh, yes, yes, I’ve missed that so much, Luke.’
‘There’s something I want to discuss with you, Corrie. Will you come with me now to Jack’s cottage?’
‘Of course.’ She was up and on her dainty feet in an instant. ‘Why to Jack’s cottage?’
‘Because what I have to say involves him and his wife.’
* * *
Informed by Oliver of the details, excluding the unsavoury ones, of Luke’s former adventure and new venture, Kerensa took his arm and breathed an audible sigh of relief. ‘Pray God he stays this full of purpose.’
Oliver raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Society was used to his public displays of affection. He was satisfied, as was his intention, that Clem Trenchard should observe him perform this one.
Catherine came rushing from inside the great hall with John in her arms. ‘Clem! Flora’s missing!’
‘Eh?’ Clem, standing alone, for he had no desire to mix with this sort of company, had not heard her. His concentration had been all on the Pengarrons.
‘It’s Flora. She’s wandered off. The nursemaid and Captain Pengarron and I have searched everywhere in the immediate vicinity. I only turned away for a moment, and now there’s no sign of her.’
‘Worry not, Mrs Trenchard.’ Oliver, who had overheard, took charge of the situation. ‘An infant can’t have wandered very far. There’s nowhere she could come to harm. Nonetheless, we will mount a thorough search.’
‘Oliver, the lake,’ Kerensa said urgently. ‘It’s a long way off, but I think we should look there first, just in case.’
Oliver organized the servants to make a search in every direction.
The panic was over quickly. Mounting the wide stone steps at the front entrance of the ancient house came Kane, carrying Harry and holding Flora by the hand.
‘There’s no harm done. Harry and I came across this young lady in the rose garden.’
‘Thank God!’ Catherine gasped. ‘I’m sorry for the alarm, my lord, my lady. It’s unheard of, Flora slipping away like this.’
Clem ran down the steps and lifted Flora up, kissing and hugging her. ‘You scared us, sweetheart.’
‘I suppose you and your family will take your leave now, Trenchard. I’ll have your mount and the trap brought round.’ Oliver’s voice resounded from the top step and all around the courtyard.
Clem was infuriated by his dismissive tone. Did the arrogant swine care nothing about his wife’s fright? He climbed back up to confront him.
‘You suppose wrong, but as we’re obviously not welcome here I’ll say goodbye to my grandson, and we’ll walk round to the stables. Come, Catherine, say goodbye to your brother. Bring John.’
‘Sir, I think—’ Timothy Lanyon was cut off by Kerensa.
‘Clem, please don’t leave like this,’ she begged. ‘Oliver, you are impolite. Tell Clem he’s welcome to stay as long as he likes.’
‘I’ll not be told what to do regarding this individual, especially by you,’ Oliver replied darkly, hurt and angry. She had humiliated him by her immediate support for the whining oaf.
Guests were gathering behind them and cramming the massive doorway to witness this altercation.
Clem looked at his enemy levelly. Then covering his daughter’s ears, he said, ‘How dare you speak to Kerensa like that, you bastard-crow, Pengarron. You care nothing for her wishes, never have and never will.’
Oliver let out a mighty roar. He reached out with the intention of frog-marching Trenchard, even though he had a child in his arms, to the stables and off his property.
‘Father, don’t.’ Kane was now there, seeking to intervene by warding off his grasping hands. Oliver’s momentum was too decided and its strength upset Kane’s balance.
Kerensa screamed as Kane and Harry were sent crashing down to the bottom of the steps.
Eleven
A week later, Luke presented himself in Kane’s bedroom at Vellanoweth.
Jessica, who was sitting in vigil beside the bed, jumped to her feet, motioning at him not to make a noise. ‘He’s sleeping. He’s still in a lot of pain and I don’t want him disturbed. The servants shouldn’t have allowed you to come up.’
Luke met the hostility in her wide blue eyes with an air of solemn sympathy and a softened voice. ‘I understand your concern, sister-in-law, that is why I’ve left it until now to come here. I promise not to wake Kane. I’ve brought news. Perhaps I could sit with him awhile, and if he opens his eyes I’ll tell him quickly and leave.’
Against all advice and Kerensa’s pleadings, Jessica had insisted that Kane be moved home almost immediately following the accident. She had travelled with him and Harry, who was uninjured, in the Pengarron coach, and she had rarely left his bedside since. Her father had taken Catherine and the twins back to the parsonage. He was delaying their return home until Kane was much recovered, and able to oversee the farm; Philip was completely capable of running Greystone’s Farm on his own for a lengthy time. Jessica was relieved to have Clem at hand, she needed him.
‘I’ve no welcome for you. You never got in touch with Kane once during the year you spent in wantonness and waste. You didn’t want him near you at the baptism, nor our son – your godson – not until you’d got your own way again with this play writing thing. You’re only here now, Luke Pengarron, because, no doubt, you’ve something to boast about. Too much like your father, that’s your trouble!’
‘I understand your bitterness, Jessica—’
‘No, you don’t!’ she hissed. ‘Before your father nearly killed my husband and son he’d spent the whole day making jibes at my father, even at the twins and they’re infants! You’re both cut from the same cloth, selfish, proud and insufferable. I don’t ever want to see Sir Oliver again and I want you out of my house.’
‘Jessica.’ A low hoarse voice from the bed filtered through her anger and resentment. ‘I don’t want this unpleasantness. Let Luke stay and say his piece.’
‘You’re in no state to listen, dearest. Rest now. In a while I’ll fetch up some broth,’ Jessica cooed to Kane as if he might be her baby son. She wrung out a cloth soaking in a bowl of cold water and replaced it for the hot, sweaty one lying across his brow.
Kane had plunged down the steps backwards, striking his head against the last step, knocking himself unconscious. His collar bone had been cracked and his left leg broken. The leg was in splints, resting heavily on a bolster and covered with a bread and herb poultice to draw out the impurities.
A soothing smell of lavender and sandalwood, heated by a mass of candles, overwhelmed the farmyard smells coming in through the open window and provided mental and spiritual comfort for the invalid. Even so, the smell of human flesh in crisis, similar to that which had assailed Luke’s nose from those sick and dying in the poor areas of London, pervaded the room. Luke felt afraid for his brother. His nightmares about the fa
mily physician labouring to thrust back his dislocated shoulder after his own accident had made a dreaded return.
‘He will recover?’ he mouthed quietly across to Jessica.
She stared at him grimly. ‘By God’s grace.’
Kane tried to stay awake, but racked by pain and fever, slipped back into the land of fantastical dreams, twitching, occasionally moaning.
‘If you think I find pleasure in seeing my brother like this, Jessica,’ Luke said soberly, ‘you’re very much mistaken. I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am to see him suffering like this. Thank God, some instinct made him hug Harry against his body. Is there anything I can do for you or Kane?’ She made no reply, so he went on. ‘Jessica, I’ve come to say that I’ve purchased a property and I am going away very soon.’
‘Go on,’ Jessica said a little less harshly. Despite her hurt and anger at the heartless treatment of her father and the consequences to her own little family, she wasn’t indifferent to learn of Luke’s plans. There had been times in the past when they had shared moments of friendship.
‘I’m moving to the opposite coast, the Polgissey estate on the North Cliffs. Cordelia is coming with me, and I’m taking Jack as my steward and his wife as Cordelia’s companion. I shall keep myself informed of Kane’s progress, and I hope that if you ever have need of me you won’t hesitate to send word. You have my assurance I’ll come to you at once. Kane will understand my desire to make my own mark in life.’
Jessica was holding Kane’s hand and she looked down at him to see if he had heard. His eyes were closed. ‘I hope Cordelia doesn’t come to regret it. You are two and twenty, Luke, but too young yet in the head for such a responsibility.’
‘Can you not find it in your heart to wish her, Jack and I well, Jessica?’
She thought for several moments, impressed that he had included Jack in his question. ‘Yes, I suppose so, and I’m sure Kane will too when I tell him. He’s the one member of your family who doesn’t bear grudges, even after what’s just been done to him. Write to him when you’re settled.’
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