‘I see,’ Frances said, raising herself to look down into his wonderfully sad, sad eyes. ‘And that’s why you came here?’
‘I think I just wanted someone to hold me.’
‘Well, I’ll hold you for as long as you like.’
‘There’s plenty of money in my pocket. Can I stay here all night?’ he whispered.
‘Of course. But Kane, what will you do tomorrow?’
‘I’ll go home long enough to tell my parents I’m going to stay on my farm for good. I’ll plunge my time and energies into getting it working the way I want it to be, try to forget my golden-haired, beautiful… try to forget Jessica.’
‘Jessica. So that’s her name. Kane, I know your brother. He comes here often. He’s not ready to settle down, not for several years. Jessica probably doesn’t mean anything to him. Don’t give up hope.’
Kane made a disheartened face. ‘Luke was beastly to her too yet she’s forgiven him and soon found her way into his arms. She looks at me as if I was dirt.’
‘But—’
‘Leave it, Frances. Someone else urged me to try a short time ago but it was all for nothing. It’s too late. Now stay with me or give me the brandy bottle, but please don’t talk any more.’
Frances settled herself against him and he drifted off into a long, hopeless sleep.
* * *
Two days had passed since Philip had won the wrestling match. A ballad was being sung locally about him and Jessica was humming it softly as she milked the goats in the barn. She did not realise someone was watching and listening to her.
‘What a charming scene and what a pleasant voice,’ he said at last.
‘Oh, Simon Peter!’ she exclaimed, jumping up from the stool. ‘It’s wonderful to see you after all this time.’ And she ran into his embrace. ‘Why haven’t you been over before? David said you’ve been home for days. I tried to see you but couldn’t find you anywhere.’
‘I tried to get away before, but my parents have been monopolising me. You look as beautiful as ever. How are you, Jessica? And how are you getting on with your stepmother?’
‘I’m fine and Catherine has settled in well. It’s as if she’s been here for years. I still miss my mother of course but Catherine’s good to have around. How are things in Yorkshire?’
‘It’s a beautiful county, full of hills, dales and moors, vastly bigger than Cornwall and almost as beautiful. I’ve done some open-air preaching and I think I was well received.’
‘Good for you. You’re not going back yet, are you? I want to see a lot of you.’
‘I’m going back in a few days and I’m hoping your father won’t object to David coming with me. Is Matthias Renfree here yet? He said he would come over to lend moral support.’
‘Aye, Uncle Matthias has been here for about twenty minutes. I thought he was looking rather sheepish. So that’s what it’s all about. Father’s checking the boundaries to see if they’ll withstand the winter’s storms, but he should be back soon.’
‘How do you think he’ll take it, Jessica?’ Simon Peter moved aside so she could get to the next goat and passed her the bucket when she was sitting comfortably. ‘I know your father is rather possessive over his children.’
‘He’ll soon come round. Everyone’s got their own life to live, he’ll see that. After all, he married Catherine against most folks’ advice and it seems to be working out very well. Anyway, it’s not as though you’re both going away for ever.’
‘What about you, Jessica? You’ve got your own life to live. Haven’t you got some news for me?’
‘What are you talking about, Simon Peter? What sort of news?’
‘Well, I rather thought there’d be some concerning you and Kane Pengarron.’
‘What?’ Jessica yanked on the goat’s teat and made it bleat in protest. ‘Have you gone off your head? I hate the man. Why should I have anything to do with him?’
Simon Peter was taken aback. ‘But didn’t you see him after the wrestling match? I had coffee with him and he told me he was going to seek you out and make things up to you.’
‘I saw him briefly, that is he saw me and Luke briefly.’
‘And he didn’t ask to speak to you?’
‘No,’ Jessica said defensively. ‘Kane thought he was interrupting something and went off in a huff.’
Simon Peter frowned. ‘Interrupting what, for goodness’ sake? Jessica?’
Blushing, she admitted, ‘Luke and I were kissing.’
‘Kissing? You and Luke? You’re not… Luke? Jessica, what were you thinking of?’
‘It didn’t mean anything. He was being honest with me and I was going to leave and we just kissed. It didn’t mean anything, Simon.’
‘But Kane obviously thought it did.’
‘What if he did? It’s none of his business. I’ll kiss who I like.’
‘But Kane is in love with you, Jessica.’
She went as white as the goat beside her and shivered as though an awful truth had dawned on her. ‘Wh… what makes you think that?’ she got out in a gasp.
‘He told me. He was going to find you and explain how he felt. Oh, Jessica, that little kiss you shared with Luke has ruined everything. Kane will think it most odd after his brother had said he’d got you with child and then to find you kissing him.’
‘I don’t care,’ Jessica said, turning away. ‘’Tis none of his business what I do with Luke. No one understands how we feel about each other. We’re sort of friends and that friendship is our business.’
Simon Peter lowered himself to her side and put his hands on her shoulders. He could feel her shaking gently as she cried. ‘You love Kane too, don’t you, Jessica?’
She nodded miserably. ‘It… it just seemed to grow with us… but I had no real hopes about it. He’s a gentleman and I’m just a farmer’s daughter. Worse still, I’m a Trenchard and his father wouldn’t want him to marry me for that reason alone.’
‘You know Kane better than that, Jessica. If Sir Oliver had any such objections, Kane wouldn’t care about them.’
‘Well, things can’t be put right now, it’s all such a mess.’
‘Jessica, Kane is living on his farm for good now. I was hoping he had put things right with you and asked you to marry him. I thought he’d gone away to prepare a home for you to live in.’
Harsh, bitter tears ran down her face. ‘Will you leave me alone please, Simon? I’ll come in when Father comes home.’
When he’d gone, she threw herself on the bales of straw and cried as if her heart was breaking.
* * *
Clem looked at the sea of faces all gazing anxiously at him. The whole family was crammed into the kitchen with Matthias Renfree and Ricketty Jim and, most unusual, Simon Peter Blake. Clem thought it must be something serious because the men looked solemn and Jessica had been weeping and Catherine had an arm round her.
‘What’s the matter?’ he asked Catherine. Since their wedding day he always spoke to her first.
‘It’s nothing serious, Clem,’ she replied, ‘Well, it is, but nothing terrible has happened. David has something to tell you.’
David was grateful to his charming stepmother for giving him this opening. Clem looked straight at him. ‘Well, son?’
‘I want to go back to Yorkshire with Simon Peter, Father,’ David plunged straight in. ‘To become a preacher. When I’ve learned how to proclaim the Gospel up there, I hope to be allowed to come back and work for the Lord in Cornwall. I want you to let me go and give me your blessing.’
Clem gazed from face to face. Behind the assortment of expressions, he could see everyone was on David’s side, ready to plead for him if need be. He turned to Matthias. ‘Do you think he can do it?’
‘I’m sure of it, Clem. We’ve prayed long and hard and believe it’s the Lord’s will for him. It’s up to you now. “Honour thy father” – he won’t go unless you say he can.’
Simon Peter was next to be asked a question. ‘And you’re prepared to take care of my son
while he’s away?’
‘Yes, sir,’ Simon Peter replied respectfully. ‘He will share my lodgings with me. They are warm and spacious and comfortable. The Society will help support him in all his needs.’
Clem took in Catherine, Jessica, Philip, Kenver and Kerris and Ricketty Jim in one sweeping look. ‘And I take it none of you mind him going?’
‘It’s what he’s always dreamed of,’ Catherine said.
‘Please, Father, give him the chance to do what he really wants to,’ Jessica pleaded.
‘I’ve got what I’ve always wanted and I’m hopeful other plans I’ve got will be realised soon,’ Philip said, putting a muscular arm round his red-faced twin. ‘’Tis David’s turn now.’
Kenver spoke for himself and Kerris. ‘We think he should be allowed to go, Clem.’
Lastly it was Ricketty Jim’s turn to air his opinion. ‘I’m proud to be included in the family’s decisions. I believe it’s only right and proper for him to go. Like the others, I don’t mind putting my hand to the extra work without him.’
It seemed the whole company held their breath as they waited for Clem to make his decision, He beckoned David to him. ‘Are you sure this is what you want to do, David?’
‘Aye, Father,’ David said eagerly. ‘Since I was a littl’un.’
‘Why haven’t you said anything before?’
‘I was going to but there’s been so much change and excitement going on lately I thought it wouldn’t be fair to worry you.’
‘I don’t want you to go,’ Clem said, and David’s face fell. ‘No man wants to see his children leave home. But it seems a higher authority them me has a say in this. You must do what your heavenly father wants you to.’
David could only gasp his thanks and hug his father as a cheer echoed round the kitchen. The barrel of bootleg rum was brought out and a toast was drunk to David’s health and future while, ironically, the three staunch Methodists, David, Simon Peter and Matthias, drank tea.
When Matthias returned to Ker-an-Mor Farm and the family were off about their work, Catherine said to Clem, ‘It was wonderful, the way you gave David your blessing.’
‘Aye, but I shall miss him. Of my three children, he is the quietest and I suppose I’ve taken less notice of him. He was the only one not inclined to moods and tempers and I’ll miss his calming influence.’
‘He won’t be gone for ever.’
‘What was the matter with Jessica?’
‘I think it was something that Simon Peter told her. Kane Pengarron has left the Manor to set up his farm. I suppose he won’t be seen much around the estate any more.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘You liked Kane, didn’t you, Clem? I think you’ll miss him too.’
‘Aye, I suppose I will. But not as much as Jessica, eh?’
Philip came back into the kitchen and lingered about. He didn’t look his usual cocky self. Clem watched him.
‘I suppose you’ll be the most lost without David around. Twins are usually very close.’
‘It’s not about David, Father,’ Philip said with a nervous cough.
Catherine took her husband’s arm and steered him to sit down. ‘Philip has something to say to you, Clem. In fact we both do.’
* * *
It was a bitterly cold December day. The sky was stark and grey overhead, the sea swept in on gigantic rollers and spray hissed and cascaded thirty feet high over the jagged black granite rocks. The undercurrent dragged everything back the way it had come in its awesome strength. The wind came from every direction and mercilessly bit into everything in its wake. It was too cold for wildlife to hop and fly or lull about, but Kerensa could be found at any time of the year in Trelynne Cove. And Clem knew that sooner or later, if he went there often enough, he would find her there alone.
Today he was in luck.
He saw Kernick, the second chestnut pony she had given that name, down in the cove and he rode Tally cautiously down beside him and dismounted.
Kerensa was up the end of the beach where Mother Clarry’s seat was situated. She was thinking of Clem. Yesterday, while at the Parsonage to see how the changes Olivia was making were coming along, she had met Catherine Trenchard. Catherine didn’t look pleased to see her. Ever since the day Kerensa had seen her preparing to go over to Trecath-en Farm for dinner with the Trenchards, she had seemed eager to avoid her. Kerensa thought the reason was probably because Catherine felt uneasy, or perhaps jealous, of her past love for Clem. But now she wanted to face Catherine over her aloofness. She studied Catherine’s child-like face; she looked years younger since her marriage to Clem, softer, prettier. Kerensa thought with a tinge of regret that this was how a woman in love and married to Clem Trenchard would look.
She cornered Catherine alone in the dining room. ‘It must seem strange to you, all these changes, Catherine,’ she said, trying to sound friendly.
‘I approve of Miss Olivia’s taste,’ Catherine returned, only glancing at Kerensa. ‘The Parsonage has been greatly changed for the better with the generous funds Sir Oliver has made available for it. I think she and Timothy will be very comfortable here.’
‘And how are you finding things in your new life?’ Kerensa asked.
Catherine lifted her chin and said in challenging tones, ‘I’m very happy indeed.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
‘Thank you, m’lady. Miss Olivia and Timothy are inspecting the extension to the parlour, if you were wanting to see them. I was just looking over the improvements in this room.’
‘I’ll see them a little later. It isn’t often we get the chance to talk nowadays. I hope that just because you’re married to Clem you don’t feel you can’t call at the Manor as you did before.’
‘Like his first wife did, you mean? She was your closest friend, I understand.’
Again that challenge. Kerensa sighed. ‘Catherine, I don’t mind that you’ve married Clem. I’m sure Alice wouldn’t either. I only want to see him happy and Alice would have felt the same way. You see me as a threat, don’t you?’
Catherine had paled. She sat down heavily at the new dining table, made of the finest Pengarron oak. ‘I think he’ll always love you. Do you love him?’
Kerensa came forward and put her arm round Catherine’s shoulders. ‘The only feeling that Clem and I have for each other is as friends, a soft spot if you like. It’s no more than that, I promise you. I’d like for us to be friends too, Catherine. You don’t have to duck your head when our eyes meet in church, you know.’
‘I’ve only been married a few weeks and I simply couldn’t bear to lose Clem,’ Catherine murmured.
‘I know how you feel. It’s exactly how I feel about my husband. Now, why don’t we look critically over the changes to this house? And if we don’t like them, as ladies of standing and experience in such things we will say so.’
Catherine Trenchard was a most reasonable person, ready to live in harmony with those around her. They had inspected her old home in minute detail, finding the odd fault and voicing their views, much to the consternation of Olivia and Timothy who saw the Parsonage only through a rosy glow. Catherine had told Kerensa she wouldn’t come to the Manor, feeling it wouldn’t be quite right as Clem would never be invited there, but had agreed that she and Kerensa could be friends when they met elsewhere.
When Kerensa saw Clem coming towards her in the cove, his tall blond figure easily recognisable, she walked quickly to meet him.
‘Hello, Clem. It’s good to see you. I was just thinking about you. I met Catherine yesterday, did she tell you?’
‘Yes, she did. It’s a long time since we were here together, even longer since we were here alone.’
‘Are you well?’
‘Aye. Are you?’
‘Yes, thank you. Is there… any particular reason that you’re here? Not that you’re not welcome,’ she added hastily on account of his stern face.
‘I’ve been this way quite often lately hoping to see you alone. I
want to talk to you and this is the best place to do it.’
‘I see, good. Shall we find somewhere more sheltered? The wind’s cutting across here. How about under Mother Clarry’s rock? It’s always sheltered there.’
She returned to the witch’s seat with Clem striding silently beside her, their feet crunching over the shingle. She looked at him often but he had his face set ahead. She sat down on a boulder and wrapped her cloak round herself.
‘Are you cold, Kerensa?’ he asked, and he looked concerned.
‘No, not really, I’m well wrapped up. Why don’t you sit down beside me, Clem?’
He did, but not close, as he would have done once without hesitation.
‘You look serious,’ she said. She wasn’t sure if in his present mood she should talk about Catherine but she was curious to know about their life together. ‘How’s Catherine today?’
‘She’s fine. She’s settled down to farm life very quickly. Course she doesn’t do any of the heavy work,’ he said, as if he was stressing his new wife’s position was similar to Kerensa’s. ‘She’s a real asset to the farm and the family are very fond of her.’
‘I’m glad for you. I hear David’s just left for Yorkshire. You must miss him. With Olivia about to get married and Kane away on his farm, it seems we are beginning to lose our children, Clem.’
‘Mmmm.’
Kerensa looked down at her gently spreading middle. ‘You can probably see that I’m starting another baby, a second family.’
‘Me also. Catherine’s just realised she’s with child.’
‘Oh, Clem, that’s wonderful. Are you pleased?’
‘Of course I am,’ he said moodily. ‘I’ve always liked children, you ought to know that.’
Kerensa’s heart was cast down. She put a hand on Clem’s arm. ‘I didn’t think there would ever be bad feelings between us, Clem.’
He studied her hand but did not seek to remove it. ‘I can’t forget the way Jessica was treated by the men of your family, Kerensa. Even you were willing to believe that she was pregnant by one of your sons. Is it because I got Alice like that that you think all the Trenchard women are tarred with the same brush? Alice wasn’t cheap and common, even if she wasn’t a virgin on our wedding night, and neither is Jessica. She’s suffered cruelly at the hands of your menfolk, even Kane. I feel very bitter about it.’
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