Pengarron Dynasty

by Pengarron Dynasty (retail) (epub)

  ‘Olivia, please don’t get difficult,’ Kerensa answered tightly.

  ‘Oh, the answer is no then. I thought – I’m sorry, Mama. Excuse me, I’ll go and rescue Timothy from the hateful Sarah Harrt.’ Olivia didn’t want to think about the tragedy of her parents’ rift. She could think of nothing she could do about it.

  Rachael gave her friend a sympathetic glance but said nothing. It was plain Kerensa wanted Oliver back and her marriage to be as strong as before. It was also plain that she and Clem Trenchard were meeting in her little hideaway.

  Sir William approached Oliver where he had just resigned from a card table. ‘No good fortune tonight, eh?’

  ‘What? Oh, I had no concentration.’ Suddenly weary and impatient, Oliver signalled to a footman for a drink. ‘What do you want with me, William? You’ve made yourself poor company these last few weeks. Damn disloyal, I call that.’

  ‘It’s been difficult, Oliver, with Kerensa spending so much time with us.’ William bobbed about like a pecking bird. ‘I thought all would be resolved posthaste. I did not want to become involved with taking sides.’

  ‘I would not think you so immature. I want her back, plain and simple! But not until she gets that bastard out of her head.’

  ‘You’d let horrid old-fashioned jealousy destroy your marriage? You shock me, Oliver. I never took you for a fool.’ Oliver finished the brandy brought to him.

  ‘You take no exception? You cannot even defend yourself? God in heaven, what has become of you, Oliver Pengarron? I am astounded. I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Good.’ Oliver thrust the empty glass into William’s hand. Back in the ballroom, Oliver watched Kerensa dancing with George Spears.

  William arrived at his side. ‘You can see the way the fellow’s looking at her. Do you find it so hard to believe this Clem Trenchard could ever forget her?’

  ‘It’s she who should have forgotten him!’

  ‘She did, you complete and utter fool! He might have retained a little tug on her heart, but you had the whole of it as tight as this.’ William held up his balled fist. He opened it out flat. ‘If it’s laid out like this now you are the one who made it so! Wake up, my friend, before it’s too late.’ Turning under George Spears’s raised arm, Kerensa caught Oliver’s eyes on her. They were so harsh, she snatched at her breath. Had he grown to loathe her?

  When she repeated the full circle he was there, tapping on George Spears’s shoulder. ‘May I dance with my wife now, sir? I have neglected her for far too long.’ What did he mean exactly, and what was behind his grim smile?

  Oliver bowed regally to her. When they joined hands and began stepping the way lightly down through the line-up of ladies and gentlemen, he said, ‘How goes it with Spears?’

  ‘He’s agreed to call at the parsonage next week.’

  ‘Excellent. Wonderful news about our next grandchild, is it not?’

  ‘The very best.’

  He turned her slowly under his arm and she circled around him, then he brought her in closer to his body than the dance dictated. ‘We still have much to tie us together, Kerensa.’

  She couldn’t tell if he meant it as a loving statement or as a threat. ‘We always shall, Oliver.’

  He wasn’t sure how her response was meant. They needed to talk at length and alone.

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am, sir,’ George Spears cut in on them. ‘Sir John and I are about to take our leave. I would like to thank you for helping to make this a most entertaining evening.’

  Oliver and Kerensa left the dance floor and, joined by Olivia and Timothy, entered into a round of extravagant farewells. George Spears lingered too long over Kerensa’s hand.

  ‘Hell’s teeth, what an obnoxious fellow,’ Oliver said as if he had something sour on his tongue.

  ‘That doesn’t matter.’ Kerensa embraced Olivia. ‘Not long for you to wait now, my love. You must be so excited.’

  ‘It’s like being in a wonderful dream. I’m so thankful and proud of you, Mama. It wouldn’t have happened without you here. Mr Spears was quite dazzled.’

  Left out of all the talk, Oliver bowed silently and went looking for another drink. Kerensa looked about for him. So this was how things still stood between them. He would rather head off back to the dance or the card table.

  ‘Can we leave now, Rachael?’ she said miserably.

  Twenty-One

  Up in the tower room, Luke’s brow was furrowed over the manuscript on the shabby desk, a relic procured from Pengarron Manor’s attic. Try as hard as he could to focus on his writing, the words leapt about or blended together.

  ‘Damn, I drank too much yesterday. What think you of this, Jack? A woodland setting for the final scene. Twisted black trees with huge soulless eyes and branches that reach out like grabbing hands, mist wafting upwards and… and… What was I saying? I’ve lost the thread.’

  ‘You’re tired, you write every minute you’re not about your pleasures, you can’t expect to keep thinking clearly,’ Jack replied gruffly. ‘And that’s not what I call a new idea. Think of something else.’

  ‘I will!’

  ‘And take a wash and shave and get dressed. ’Tisn’t seemly for Miss Cordelia or the maids to see you slopping about in your nightshirt.’

  ‘By the devil’s teeth, how dare you speak to me like that!’ Then Luke recalled Alicia’s comments on how he managed his friendship with Jack. He smoothed his tone. ‘Listen, Jack, I’ve explained why I kept the true nature of Lord Longbourne’s correspondence from you. I’m sorry if you saw it as a betrayal of our friendship, but I considered that if only I knew of the document’s whereabouts there was no risk of us ever talking about it and being overheard. I had no idea Alicia knew of its existence. We all talked at length about it last night, we’ve all agreed that I alone should bear the burden of the document’s hiding place. What is wrong now? Don’t you trust Alicia? Is there something else?’

  ‘Course not. I’m off to the stables, Boy Hal and I are going to exercise the horses.’

  Luke was left to ponder Jack’s dark humour. Had more hurt been done to him last night than that which he himself had been unwittingly responsible for? Exactly what had Alicia said to him when she’d brought the matter up? Could Alicia, after all, be trusted?

  She had declared that as Alex’s common-law widow, she had the right to know everything connected to him. Her explanation for her silence over the document amounted to her having taken it for granted that Luke would inform her when he received it. Had she secretly been searching for it? If so, what had she intended to do with it? Retain it, as Luke was, as a form of leverage if circumstances ever dictated it?

  Greatly disturbed, Luke made haste to his chamber, stripped, washed, shaved and dressed. Needs dictated he must keep on the highest alert. Was she Sophia Glanville, Alicia Rosevear or someone else? Who exactly had he and Jack brought back to Cornwall with them?

  * * *

  At the same time, Cordelia’s presence was being requested in the back courtyard.

  ‘Who is it, Mabena?’ she demanded crossly. Her hopes for a closer union with Luke having been dashed, she was in no mood to speak to anyone.

  ‘’Tes a gentleman,’ she was informed by the kitchen maid, a flippant sixteen-year-old, whom Cordelia suspected was with child. ‘Come ’n’ see. I’d be pleased to have he calling on me.’

  A gentleman would not arrive at the back door, but curious, Cordelia followed Mabena outside, and found Morgan Kinver standing next to his delivery of goat’s milk and cheese and vegetables.

  ‘Is there something wrong, Mr Kinver? I’m sure I gave Mrs Curnow the right amount of money.’ She avoided looking into his face but knew he was looking at her.

  ‘That lot’s too heavy for me to carry indoors,’ Mabena cut in, winking insolently at Morgan.

  ‘I’d be pleased to do it, Miss Drannock,’ Morgan’s full soft tones brought Cordelia’s eyes to his face. What a quiet expression he always wore. He had a coat on and a neckcloth d
espite the morning heat – a man of standards.

  ‘Thank you, Mr Kinver. You may return to your work, Mabena.’ It was improper to remain alone with this man, but Cordelia did not want to be under Mabena’s impertinent eyes, and she was intrigued to know what Morgan Kinver’s business was with her.

  When Mabena flounced off, Morgan took something out of his coat pocket. A small leather pouch.

  ‘This is for you, Miss Drannock.’ At her perplexed look he went on quickly, ‘Ashes from the bonfire, as I promised last night.’

  ‘Oh, really? Thank you very much. You took some for yourself?’

  ‘I did.’ He smiled. ‘I know we don’t really need a talisman, having the Almighty to watch over us.’

  ‘Yes, I agree, but I suppose we can’t help our nature.’

  ‘No.’ Another smile. ‘That we cannot.’

  * * *

  After luncheon, Cordelia and Alicia were out walking, with parasols and wide straw hats protecting them from the strong overhead sun, which burned periodically through the patchy clouds.

  ‘It’s good to get away from the house. The atmosphere is most disagreeable. Why was Jack so angry with Luke?’ Cordelia said.

  ‘It was something to do with Luke not informing Jack about a matter of the estate, I think.’ Alicia was not in the mood for conversation. ‘It’s not our concern, thankfully.’

  ‘But I’ve never known Jack to fly at anyone the way he did Luke. I was banished upstairs, but I listened from the top. Jack’s tone was explosive. He only became quiet when you went down to them.’

  ‘Whatever it was, Jack was quite happy when he took the horses out,’ Alicia lied.

  She was sorry she had offended Jack so much last night. It had been unfeeling of her to ask him about Alex’s letter while he was at the very point of consummating their marriage. She had meant to question him afterward, but at the last moment she could not go through with the thought of Jack making love to her before Alex’s baby was born. Jack had immediately pulled away from her and sat up, hunched over, on the edge of the bed.

  ‘So that’s the way of it,’ he had accused her, humiliation thick in his voice. ‘You want to know something about your lover and the only way you think you can find out is by seducing me. Why couldn’t you just ask me straight out? That was cheap of you, Alicia. Do you think me cheap too, that lust controls me? I’m not like the men you’re used to!’

  Her thoughts then had not been with Jack’s distress. ‘My maid put Alex’s packet into the post to Luke. I’ve the right to be kept informed.’

  ‘So’ve I!’ Jack had dressed and left her. She had been forced to wait in the bedroom until Luke had come home.

  Cordelia detected the impatience in her voice and changed to Alicia’s most favoured subject. ‘When will your confinement be?’

  ‘Late September.’ Alicia smiled a little, imagining how it would feel to hold Alex’s child. ‘So there will be new life in the house at Christmas. I confess I am a little nervous about the birth. There isn’t a doctor for miles.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Luke will ensure you’ll be properly looked after.’

  They had left the grounds of the house and were strolling along the cliff path. The land was almost treeless, but heather grew in extensive bursts and intermingled with golden-flowered gorse. Long grasses swayed in the playful breeze. Alicia fell silent and Cordelia gazed out to the horizon, where the blue of the ocean met the blue of the sky.

  ‘Minnie Drew’s a sweet old soul. I like to hear her tales, she knows all about the shipwrecks on this coast. There’s a ghost ship, a Spanish galleon, with a figurehead that protrudes oddly, and if it’s seen a terrible misfortune falls upon the village. Little Min’s told me a lot about the big house too. She worked there from seven years of age. Did you know that Mr Cecil Doble was a wrecker? That is, he deliberately led ships on to the rocks so they’d come to disaster?’

  Alicia was saddened at how immature Cordelia sounded. ‘If you don’t mind, Cordelia, I’ll not venture much further. It was foolish to come out at such a hot time of day. I must say, you are obtaining quite a curiosity for this area and its legends.’

  ‘But it’s sort of romantic, don’t you think?’

  Alicia laughed kindly. ‘I don’t see how. My dear, the only romantic notion you ought to entertain should involve acquiring yourself a real live man.’

  Cordelia blushed hotly. ‘What do you mean?’

  Was Mrs Jack referring to Morgan Kinver? Had she noticed how long they had spoken together this morning? Afterward, Amy Curnow and the silly gaggle of kitchen maids had made free with her feelings.

  ‘Better watch out, Miss Cordelia. He can catch a maid, but like his brothers, he can’t be caught hisself.’ Mrs Curnow had giggled. ‘Must reckon, because he lives in a finer house than we, he stands a chance with ’ee.’ Cordelia intended to demand Luke reprimand the cook severely, even though he called her ‘a treasure’ and an ‘ideal servant’.

  ‘Please don’t take exception, I meant no unkindness,’ Alicia said, regretting her remark. Such a pity Luke was so wrapped up in his play writing. It would take the most shameless femme fatale to harness him, and in Cordelia’s case she had the added difficulty of Luke taking her for granted. Luke was not missing out on the intimate side of life because Alicia had witnessed Amy Curnow slipping out of his bedroom with a sly smile, clutching a shilling piece. According to gossip, Mrs Curnow had a Kinver offspring, being reared at her mother’s home. If Luke got her pregnant, a dark-haired Kinver could take the blame.

  ‘Oh!’ Alicia cried out suddenly.

  ‘What is it? The baby?’

  ‘No, we’re almost at the cottage ruins. They give me the shivers. We must go back.’

  ‘Very well. Wait a moment, what’s that colour over there?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Alicia turned and started to retrace her steps.

  ‘It’s flowers,’ Cordelia exclaimed. ‘Can you not wait a moment while I pick them? They’ll die and be wasted with no one to water them.’

  Alicia looked over her shoulder. The charred stone walls of the cottage, the windows like huge discordant eyes, made her think how Alex’s house now looked. Very soon she would have nightmarish thoughts of how the flames must have devoured his flesh. She was about to break down in grief and needed to be alone. ‘I’ll carry on, Cordelia. You can catch up with me.’

  ‘I’ll only be a minute or two.’

  Breathing hard, Alicia walked fast, soon leaving Cordelia and the burnt-out cottage behind. She was nearing the grounds of the house, relieved Cordelia had not joined her, for she needed to find a secluded place to weep for Alex and herself.

  The sight of a man in her path startled her. She let her parasol drop from her hand. Then she was afraid. The man was tall and dark, richly attired with a gold-topped walking cane, and although he looked familiar, she could not place him. Someone from London? From the Society? Pray God, no!

  ‘Forgive me, ma’am, I’ve alarmed you.’ He bowed elegantly. ‘You must be Mrs Jack Rosevear.’

  ‘Y – you know me, sir?’

  ‘I have not had that pleasure until now. I was just speaking to Jack, we are acquainted of old.’

  Her face contorted in shock and fear, Alicia fought to clear her mind. Then she had it. He looked familiar because he had the distinct features of the Pengarrons. A turn of the blanket of Sir Oliver’s? But no such person had been mentioned to her. Her fear turned to terror. ‘I – I do not know of you, sir.’

  ‘My name is Drannock. I have come to visit my sister. I was told she was walking this way.’

  ‘Drannock? Oh, you’re one of Cordelia’s brothers, I had not thought… I had not…’

  Her vision grew hazy and she felt a strange lightness in the head.

  ‘Ma’am, are you unwell?’

  She heard nothing more. Blackness engulfed her and she did not feel the stranger’s arms preventing her from hitting the ground.

  * * *

  There were only a few
grape hyacinths growing in the patch of back garden of the cottage. Skirting the rubble and ashes, Cordelia snapped them off on their long stems, feeling she must return quickly to Alicia, considering her condition.

  A shadow fell across her, making her rise nervously to her feet. It was Morgan Kinver. Where had he sprung from? Had he followed her here?

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Kinver.’ She claimed the superior position by getting in the first word. ‘I did not think to see anyone else hereabouts.’

  He performed a faultless bow. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Drannock. I often walk this way.’ He, or one of his brothers, occasionally wandered about the cliff to see if anyone was loitering near their hide.

  Cordelia had a sudden thought. Considering the reputation of the Kinvers, the most likely reason for him being here was an assignation. He was dressed finely, as always, and he smelled of fresh soap.

  ‘They’re lovely.’

  ‘Pardon me?’

  ‘The flowers.’

  ‘Oh, yes. I thought they would look very well with some carnations from the gardens. I didn’t like to leave them here, abandoned.’

  ‘I understand.’ He eased his footing, drawn even more to the gentle young lady’s transparency and honesty. ‘I keep a little brown rabbit at home. I happened across it last year. Separated from its mother it was about to become a meal for a sparrow hawk.’

  ‘My uncle, Sir Oliver Pengarron, has a hut in the manor grounds kept solely for injured wildlife. I’ve seen all manner of animals and birds, even insects released, fully recovered, into their habitat. Miss Kelynen Pengarron healed a partially blinded kitten there quite recently. I would have loved to have had it, but my uncle has an allergy to cat’s fur.’

  ‘My brothers and I have three cats on the smallholding, all of an agreeable nature. One is about to produce a litter. You are very welcome to a kitten. If you have a care, I will bring the basket to the big house and you may choose one for yourself.’