Pengarron's Children

by Pengarron's Children (retail) (epub)

  ‘That’s fine by me,’ Oliver said, pulling Kane out of the cabin. ‘Let’s get Maynard and his men off this ship and let the good captain go about his business. I shall see that both the Frenchman and the captain are rewarded for their help.’

  Jessica remained numb as she was bundled into a rowing boat and taken back to shore. Somehow news of the drama had spread and a crowd was gathering. Wrapped in the blanket Zack Maynard had used to kidnap her in, she stayed on the beach while the tied-up bodies of the gang were thrown out of another boat, borrowed from the French sailor’s ship, and bundled onto the sand. She stayed close to David.

  A tall man pushed his way through the crowds. He pulled people round roughly to view their faces until he’d located Jessica.

  ‘Jessica, my dear, are you all right?’ Luke said, searching her face in what light he could find. He reached out his good hand and let it hover near her wound. ‘I’ve been so worried for you. Did Maynard do this to you?’

  ‘Aye, Maynard struck her and she’s all shaken up but otherwise she’s fine, Master Luke,’ David said for her.

  Luke sighed with relief and for a moment he took her hand. ‘I’m so glad to hear that. Let me take you somewhere where you can have a little brandy for the shock.’

  ‘No, thank you, sir,’ David said firmly. ‘We don’t want no fuss, people are looking.’

  ‘Oh, yes, of course. Forgive me.’

  After Kane’s unexpected brutality, Luke’s kindly concern was like nectar to Jessica’s desolated soul. She smiled wanly at him, knowing Kane was watching them from his strangely active eyes. ‘Thank you for your good wishes, Master Luke,’ she said, her voice husky after her ordeal. ‘’Tis much appreciated.’

  ‘Well, if there’s anything I can do…’

  Kane was walking towards them. She shot him a cold, hostile look which made him stay his ground, then she said to Luke, ‘If I think of something, I won’t be shy in asking you.’

  Oliver came up and asked Luke if he wouldn’t mind riding straight back to the Manor again and informing his mother all was well. ‘She’s had enough to worry about recently,’ he said, sweeping his eyes pointedly over Jessica. ‘We might as well allay her worst fears. After all, the girl’s mother was once her close and trusted friend.’

  Jessica wanted to cry until her heart broke. With her father about to marry again because of her wanton behaviour since her mother had died, the remark seemed needlessly cruel.

  Kane watched Jessica being led away by David and put up on the farm’s work horse. He wanted to follow and apologise to her. It was only out of sheer terror that she would be raped and murdered as his sister had so very nearly been that he had snapped at her. The thoughts that had gone through his mind since Jack had broken the news and she had been missing from Trelynne Cove had been unendurable. He hadn’t planned to be so harsh. It had just come out when he’d seen her standing in her father’s arms, looking so small and young, her hair flying all around, her cherubic face marred. He had hurt and upset her – just how much had shown in that terrible look she had just given him. Why couldn’t he have been kind and understanding as Luke, who was not known for those attributes, had been? He would ride over to Trecath-en Farm as soon as the situation was cleared up here and put things right with her. But then he suddenly found himself confronted by Clem, who said with a barbed tongue, ‘I can’t stop you from coming to the farm but I want you to know you are no longer welcome on it.’

  * * *

  Catherine was at Trecath-en Farm when the Trenchards got back. She had been so worried about Jessica, she had implored Timothy to escort her there before he rode to the Manor. Jessica was embarrassed to see her sitting in the kitchen with Kenver and Kerris. After thanking her for her concern, she went straight to her room. It was getting light now and the twins, not bothering to go to bed, said they’d get straight on with the milking of the small dairy herd and be back later for an early breakfast. They knew Clem was dismayed to see Catherine at that moment and wanted to make a hasty retreat. Kenver and Kerris also made a tactful withdrawal.

  Catherine stood about uncertainly. She was still smarting at her humiliation on Penzance streets but knew if she wanted to keep her claim on Clem Trenchard, she mustn’t show it. ‘Kerris, Kenver and I have drunk endless cups of tea while we’ve been waiting. Would you like some, Clem?’

  ‘Rum, more like it,’ he said moodily, running his hands through his hair and flopping down wearily on the settle.

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Catherine said, looking about to see if she could spy a bottle or jug.

  ‘Sorry, I’m forgetting my manners,’ Clem said, in weary tones. ‘’Tis in the cupboard under the stairs.’

  ‘I don’t want you to worry about manners at a time like this,’ she said, getting the rum which she found in a huge cloam jug which she could only just carry.

  ‘No, you’re not one for standing on ceremony, are you?’ Clem said in a vacant voice, as if he didn’t care about a thing in the world any more. ‘You’re a good woman.’

  ‘I’ll make a good stepmother,’ Catherine said, thinking it an opportune time to mention it.

  ‘Aye, I suppose you will. Tonight proves Jessica needs you more than ever.’

  She was pleased to hear that but she thought, I wish you needed me, Clem.

  ‘Eh?’ Clem said as if she had spoken aloud.

  ‘I didn’t say anything.’ She sat down beside him and touched his arm. ‘Don’t be too dejected, Clem. When we’re married things will get better, I promise.’

  ‘’Tis those blasted Pengarrons!’ Clem cried angrily. ‘Sir Oliver and Kane spoke to me and Jessica like we were dirt beneath their feet, though strangely enough Master Luke was kind to Jessica for once. They’re always there, Catherine, like grit under a man’s fingernails, rubbing salt in his wounds.’

  Catherine recalled Clem’s hands on the beautiful Lady Pengarron’s shoulders. ‘I understand.’ One of them was always getting in her way too.

  ‘Do you? I wish I didn’t have to live on Pengarron’s ruddy land.’

  ‘It won’t be so bad after we’re married. You’ll have married a lady whose brother just happens to be going to marry Sir Oliver’s daughter. He’ll have to show you some respect then.’

  ‘You think so?’ Clem said doubtfully.

  ‘I’m sure of it,’ she replied, attempting to lay a deeper hold on this moody fiancé of hers. She was still afraid he would change his mind and try to get out of their wedding. She wished now she hadn’t asked to delay the ceremony, to be seen to be ‘courted’. She could have been safely married by now. She loved him, bad moods and all, and in an effort to claim him as hers for good she thought she’d stir up some basic masculine feelings in him for her. She put a hand on his face and turned him to look at her. In his anger the depth of his summer-blue eyes made her go weak at the knees like the proverbial old maid.

  ‘I promise I’ll make a better life for you,’ she whispered.

  She brought her lips to his and kissed him with as much passion as she could muster. But although he kissed her back, as always, he gave her only a little bit of himself.

  * * *

  Timothy was permitted to see Olivia the next morning. She was brought down to the parlour by Polly and they were allowed to be alone. Timothy took her hands and kissed them, then pressed his lips to her cheeks. Retaining her hands, he said softly, ‘I stayed the night. Your father wanted me to wait to see you.’

  Olivia searched the face of the man she loved and whom she feared she might have lost through her foolish behaviour. ‘Are you furious with me, Timothy?’

  ‘I admit I was at first. I’d quite made up my mind to lock you away for good. But not now, beloved, not after a night to think about it.’

  ‘You’re not angry at all?’ and her heart sang with hope.

  ‘It’s not unknown for women to indulge in free-trading and I think I understand why you did it. After your ordeal in Penzance, you needed an exciting memory between that and no
w. I just ask that you never put yourself in any such danger again because I couldn’t bear to lose you.’

  ‘Oh, Timothy, I couldn’t bear to lose you either. Thank you for being so understanding. I’ve had such a miserable night worrying first about Jessica and then that you would change your mind about marrying me. Papa wouldn’t even let Cordelia and me spend the night in the same room to comfort each other.’

  Timothy smiled and kissed her hands again. ‘I think that was your father’s idea, the pair of you spending a miserable night.’

  ‘I know that Jessica is safe but do you know how she is? We’re not allowed to see her for a few weeks and I’m anxious for her to know it’s something Cordelia and I do not wish. She seems to have been blamed for what happened but it was through my stubbornness the so-called smuggling run went ahead. Jack tried to talk me out of it and then both Jessica and Cordelia wanted to abandon it. Will you tell her I’m sorry?’

  ‘Catherine’s over there at the moment. I’ll look in on Trecath-en Farm when I leave. After all, Clem is to be my brother-in-law and Jessica will be my niece so I owe them my loyalty too.’

  ‘Goodness!’ Olivia exclaimed. ‘Do you realise that when I’m your wife, Jessica, Philip and David will be my niece and nephews. How confusing.’

  ‘How complicated,’ Timothy grinned. ‘But people are just going to have to get used to it.’

  * * *

  There was a little rap at Cordelia’s bedchamber door and she sped across the room and opened it. When she saw it was Luke, she pulled him into the room.

  ‘I’m not supposed to be here,’ he whispered. ‘Father will be furious if he finds out, so if anyone comes, I’ll have to hide away under one of your gowns. How are you, sweeting?’

  ‘Miserable, fed up and embarrassed, and while I don’t mind being punished by being confined to the house and grounds for a week, I don’t think it’s fair that Jessica should take all the blame as the ringleader. It was her suggestion to begin with but Livvy and I were just as eager and last night Jessie and I wanted to call the whole thing off when we found out that Jack wouldn’t come with us. But Livvy wouldn’t listen. What is unfair is that she is allowed to come and go more than I am because of the Reverend Lanyon.’

  ‘Hold up,’ Luke grinned, ‘you’re prattling on like a runaway horse. I made a point of being kind to Jessica last night, although apparently Kane was beastly to her.’

  ‘I’m so pleased you were kind to her but why was Kane beastly to her, for goodness’ sake? Poor Jessie.’

  ‘Anyway, Father will soon forget all about it when he’s got over the shock. It did come hot on the heels of that awful business at Penzance. He’ll come round and Jessica, you and Livvy will be able to see each other again.’

  ‘Well, I’ve got an awful feeling that things will never be the same again. They can’t be, can they? Livvy’s getting married, for a start.’

  ‘Well, you’ll just have to get yourself a good-looking parson too, my dear,’ Luke said, lifting a piece of intricate lace on her shoulder.

  Rooted to the spot by his proximity, Cordelia said softly, ‘I don’t want one, thank you, Luke. I’m quite happy to keep things the way they are.’

  * * *

  Catherine was sitting on the bed in the main bedroom of Trecath-en Farm when Kerris popped her head round the door to inform her that her brother was trotting into the yard. Catherine had been up and dressed for over an hour. When Kerris had awakened her earlier with a dish of tea and said all the Trenchards, except for Kenver, were in a bad mood, she had thought it prudent to stay out of their way.

  Clem had given up his bed for her and she’d stood in her shift, which she had slept in, and watched from a corner of the window as he and the twins had walked off to go about their work. She’d hoped he would turn round so she could see his face but he seemed bent only on where he and his dogs were going.

  She didn’t mind lingering in the bedroom. If all went well, she would share it with him in less than three weeks. His clothes and personal things were there and she had touched and studied them all. She hadn’t minded sleeping in the lumpy bed, between the linen he had slept in the night before and smelling wonderfully of his unique maleness. Now she could no longer linger and went downstairs to see her brother and face Jessica’s mood of the day.

  Kerris let Timothy into the parlour where Catherine and Jessica joined him. Timothy kissed Catherine and shook Jessica’s hand warmly.

  ‘How are things at the Manor?’ Catherine asked, seeing that Jessica was in no mood for conversation.

  ‘Sir Oliver is still furious with Olivia and Cordelia, I’m afraid.’

  ‘He’s also furious with me,’ Jessica said bitterly. ‘He and others.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll calm down soon, Jessica. Sir Oliver can be quite stern but he is fair.’

  Jessica emitted a loud ‘Huh!’ and Catherine coloured, praying she wouldn’t go into a fit of temper with Timothy here. She didn’t want anything to happen that might make her brother doubt the wisdom of her marrying into this family.

  But Timothy smiled encouragingly at the girl. ‘I’m sure Sir Oliver will calm down in a few days and things will get back to normal.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Jessica said tartly.

  ‘You must want it too, Jessica,’ he urged.

  She tightened her face and refused to look at him.

  ‘How are you after last night?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m just glad it’s all over, and don’t worry, I don’t intend to do anything else of the kind. Certainly not with the ladies of the Manor.’

  ‘They are both anxious for you to know that they’re impressing upon Sir Oliver and Lady Pengarron that it wasn’t your fault the run went ahead, Jessica. Indeed, Olivia told me that you and Cordelia tried in vain to get her to call the whole thing off, and Jack of course refused to go. I’m afraid that poor individual is likely to get a piece of Olivia’s tongue, apparently it was he who told his lordship and the rest of the family that it was all your idea.’

  ‘So that accounts for the way he spoke to me,’ Jessica whispered to herself, but it wasn’t Sir Oliver she meant. ‘Reverend, if you’ve come to pray for me, would you kindly do it now. I have a lot of work to get on with.’

  When Timothy had said a brief prayer of thanksgiving for Jessica’s safety, she left the room. He looked at his sister. ‘They’re a moody lot, this family,’ he observed.

  ‘Not all the time and not all of them,’ Catherine said quickly in their defence.

  ‘Oh, I meant no criticism, my dear. I find them a fascinating lot and the girl is quite beautiful. I wonder that the younger Pengarrons haven’t fought over her, but…’

  ‘But what?’ Catherine asked anxiously. ‘Please don’t say you think there is more trouble brewing.’

  ‘From what I’ve heard, Kane and Luke spoke to her in different, totally unexpected ways last night. It’s obvious that Clem’s feelings are running high and Jessica is certainly looking depressed. Her spirits are dampened but if they come to the fore and erupt in ill temper…’

  ‘Don’t, Timothy. You’re frightening me.’

  ‘Well, Catherine, there are always going to be sparks while Trenchards live on Pengarron land.’

  ‘Then it’s time for things to change,’ Catherine said determinedly. ‘And I’m going to try to do something about it.’

  Chapter 26

  For days Kane had wanted to go over to Trecath-en Farm and put things right with Jessica and Clem, but he was worried about causing more trouble between his family and the Trenchards. Would Clem ever forgive him for being so horrible to Jessica? Would she? She had been about to come to him, her arms held out for love and comfort, and he had simply heaped more pain on her. It was no wonder that Clem had said he wasn’t welcome at Trecath-en, and although as the landlord’s son and as a gentleman he couldn’t be stopped from going there, he wanted to show Clem respect.

  Kane had tried to talk to Jessica when he saw her at Marazion market, a
t church when she sat stern-faced next to Miss Catherine, and on Ker-an-Mor Farm when she was there visiting her Aunt Rosie. But the strong-minded girl had adamantly refused to speak to him. He would have had to tie her down to get her attention.

  Kane knew he loved Jessica now. He loved her wild ways, her beautiful sky-blue eyes, her head of shining bouncy curls, everything about her. He made up his mind he would speak to her if it was the last thing he did. Somehow he’d make her listen. Clem had always been his friend; surely he would be reasonable if he apologised long and loudly enough? If Clem came round, perhaps he would make his obstinate daughter give him a fair hearing. If he explained that his proud father had calmed down and had actually said he missed Jessica’s boisterous presence about the Manor, surely that would help. If he said that Olivia and Cordelia were looking to him to put matters right so things could return to normal, perhaps that would help to persuade Jessica to forgive him. They had said they would never forgive him if Jessica didn’t come to Olivia’s wedding. But Kane had reasons enough on his own account for returning things to the way they were before the kidnapping.

  But first he had to attend a family luncheon. Kerensa, who loved family occasions, had organised it and he didn’t want to let his mother down. So reluctantly he dressed himself smartly and tried to prepare his mind to cope with excited talk round the table about Olivia’s wedding and the changes it would bring to their lives with the first child leaving home to get married.

  * * *

  Jessica spent most of her time in wretched moods. No one but Clem seemed to notice or particularly care. Kerris and Kenver were too happy planning their wedding which was to be held in the farmhouse in two days’ time, immediately after his brother’s in Perranbarvah’s church. Kenver had saved a reasonable sum of money over the years from the sale of his crafts and this he had given to Kerris. Full of new confidence, her plain face transformed by happy anticipation, she had been taken to Marazion with Catherine, a more subdued bride, to buy new clothes and linen. No longer the quiet, fearful little mouse she had been when she had first entered the house, she chattered happily and took more interest in the household organisation; after all, as Mrs Kenver Trenchard she would be nearly equal in standing with Miss Catherine as Clem’s wife.