She darted forward to get away from him but the sailor snatched the bag of buns out of her hands. This was the final insult. With her whole world seemingly crashing down around her and her brutalised emotions refusing to give vent in tears she ran blindly to the blacksmith’s shop. A scream tore from her heart as a hand on her arm pulled her into a doorway.
Chapter 20
‘It’s all right, Kerensa, it’s me.’
‘Oh, Clem, Clem!’
And then suddenly she was crying. She threw herself into his arms and sobbed wretched tears. She clung to him, clawing at his coat, her body heaving as all the fears, frustrations and pain she had endured for so long swelled up and flowed through her, to rip out at the surface in scalding bitter-sweet tears.
Clem held her very close. ‘What is it, my precious love,’ he murmured soothingly, slipping back easily into terms of endearment for her.
‘Oh, Clem, hold me, please don’t let me go,’ she sobbed, her words muffled in his coat.
‘I’ll hold you for ever if you want me to, my love,’ he said tenderly, raising her face and smoothing her hair from her wet eyes. ‘But we can’t stay here in this doorway, someone might see us. An acquaintance of mine lives here and is away visiting his folk at Lamorna. I’ve been looking in on the place for him. Let’s go inside.’
Clem had been about to leave for home when he saw Kerensa running wildly through the rain. He unlocked the solid wooden door again, ushered her into a gloomy room, then looked up and down the road to see if anyone was watching.
‘I don’t think anyone saw us,’ he said. Without a moment’s hesitation he took Kerensa back in his arms and rocked her slowly in a natural rhythm until she had grown quite calm.
Her frightened eyes had taken in some aspects of the small square room. The ceiling was low, barely above Clem’s head. Ragged mats were on the floor and a loose window creaked in the wind. There was a strong smell of dampness and camphor oil. On the mantelshelf was a row of pottery figures, one had an ugly leering face which reminded Kerensa of the sailor. She turned quickly away, pressing closer to Clem and finding comfort in his familiar lean body.
‘You’ll get a fever in this wet cloak,’ he said, lifting it up at her shoulders. ‘Take it off and I’ll find something to wrap round you.’
Cold and wet through, Kerensa’s numb fingers were barely capable of removing the cloak and Clem did it for her. He smiled, the same boyish grin that she knew from long years ago, and Kerensa smiled back.
‘This should help,’ he said, engulfing her in a grey blanket he took from the back of a settle. ‘Now tell me, my love, what’s upset you so much?’
This was the moment he had prayed for, the time when she would turn to him. Now he could comfort her, hold her, show her his love was as strong as the moment he had first declared it. He would not let her down.
She sat on a rickety chair beside the empty hearth and wiped at her tear-streaked face with the back of a hand. ‘Coming through the town a sailor suddenly appeared in front of me. Oh, Clem, it was Kane’s father, his real father!’ A fresh sob caught in her throat and she buried her face in her hands.
Crouching in front of her and clasping her hands in his, he asked, angry in her defence, ‘What did he do? Did he hurt you?’
‘He didn’t hurt me but he insulted me with his filthy remarks,’ she replied angrily, gazing into his summer-blue eyes. ‘And he stole a bag of yeast buns I’d bought.’ That sounded rather ludicrous after all she had been through and she laughed.
‘That’s better,’ Clem said. ‘I hope the greedy swine chokes on them. Did he threaten you?’
‘Not me personally, Clem, but he threatened to kidnap Kane and take him away to sea!’ And she got panicky again.
‘It’s all right, my love, you’re quite safe with me. I’d go after him but I don’t want to leave you alone.’
‘No, Clem, no. Don’t leave me, right now I can’t think of anyone I would rather be with more than you.’
‘Even him?’
Kerensa knew whom Clem meant. ‘Especially Oliver. In his present state of mind he would probably kill the sailor and be hanged for it.’
‘I could easily do that myself. Let’s leave the subject of the sailor for a minute. There’s much more than him upsetting you, isn’t there? What’s going on, Kerensa?’ Clem’s handsome fair features were creased in concern for her. ‘I’d have to be dead not to notice there was something wrong between you and him at Ted’s wedding yesterday. I detest your husband, you know that, but you love him and I don’t want you to be unhappy. Tell me what’s wrong, my love, I may be able to help.’
‘There’s nothing you can do, Clem,’ she stated. He moved closer and with the end of the blanket she carefully dried his rain-spattered face. ‘But it will help me to confide in you.’ .
He tenderly kissed her chilled hands and tear-wet face. ‘I’m listening.’
A heavy weight seemed to be lifted from her shoulders as the tale of her woes left her lips. Even the worst of them didn’t seem quite so terrible. Except for the Reverend Ivey there was no one else she could confide in like this, and she found she could tell Clem more than the old parson. He didn’t interrupt or change his expression except that his eyes became a much deeper blue. Kerensa looked into those wonderful soulful eyes and couldn’t remember moving and putting herself back into Clem’s arms. She only knew she was there, warm and comfortable, his body strong and capable, and she was safe.
‘Was I wrong, Clem? Was I so very wrong not to tell Oliver what I knew about Samuel?’
Clem stirred, unwilling to have the spell broken, having her close to him again, keeping her secure in the confines of his love. He thought back over what she had told him.
‘I don’t know, my love. I hate him for treating you so cruelly and yet I can understand how he must be feeling – up to a point. If Samuel had been dead for many years it probably wouldn’t have seemed so bad, but with him only being drowned a few short weeks before he was told, well…’
‘You’d feel cheated?’
‘Perhaps,’ he said carefully, not wanting to tear at her vulnerable feelings.
‘It’s what Oliver says. I’m beginning to think he’ll never forgive me, Clem. One moment he’s the same as he’s always been, then he gets moody towards me. Just lately he’s got worse. Except for the children anyone can be at the nasty end of his tongue.’
Clem ruffled the silky hair at the crown of her head and kissed it there. ‘He can’t keep it up for ever, Kerensa. No one can love you and stay angry with you indefinitely.’
‘That would be true if it was you, Clem,’ she muttered in her misery.
He lifted her chin and smiled at her. ‘It will be with him too, you’ll see.’ It was an effort to say it, but his love was too deep not to offer her a crumb of comfort.
‘I hope you’re right,’ she said lamely, trying to return his smile. ‘Talking of the children just now, I really am sorry about Luke’s bad behaviour yesterday. Please believe me when I say I’m not making excuses for him but he’s been very unsettled lately. I think he senses Oliver’s ill humour.’
Clem let out a puff of breath. ‘Oh, I’m not really bothered about that. I suppose I did overreact a little. The thing is he looks so much like his father. Alice tore me off a fair strip all the way home and so did Rosie and Father, and Kenver wholeheartedly agreed with them. I began to feel such a rat. They all pointed out if it had been Kane or some other boy rather than Luke I wouldn’t have got so angry. I suppose at six years old he’s not much more than a baby. I was thinking of riding over to the manor to apologise.’
Kerensa looked deep into his eyes. With a knowing smile, she said, ‘You weren’t really thinking of doing that, Clem.’
He admitted, with a sheepish grin, ‘No, I wasn’t.’
‘My dearest Clem, I’m surrounded everywhere by stupid male pride. Oliver, Luke, Bartholomew Drannock, and even you,’ she lovingly stroked his hair, ‘my dearest Clem.’
‘I still lov
e you, Kerensa.’ There was no doubt of that in his eyes, his voice, his arms.
‘And I still love you.’ Her words caressed his heart.
‘I know you do and it’s wonderful to hear you say it. It’s what’s kept me going all these years, knowing you keep a part of your heart specially for me.’
The rain stopped suddenly, leaving a sulky yellow-grey sky. The wind dropped and the window stopped creaking. They were content for a while to be alone together again. She had grown pleasantly sleepy when he spoke again.
‘Kerensa, why did you mention Bartholomew Drannock just now? He doesn’t know yet about Sir Daniel being his grandfather so how are you involved with him? Something to do with his mother? I know you call regularly on her.’
Kerensa sighed wearily, reluctant to be reminded of her problems again. ‘It’s not that. Before I rode here today I first went over to Perranbarvah to give young Master Drannock a piece of my mind over a guest who’s staying at the manor, Miss Ameline Beswetherick.’
‘Oh, yes? I saw her once, looks as though a handful of dust would choke her.’
‘Ameline is rather delicate but she’s very sweet, very naive and innocent. I found out she and Bartholomew have been meeting in Trelynne Cove. I had reason to fear Bartholomew would try to seduce her and I had to put a stop to it.’
‘Bet he didn’t take kindly to that!’ Clem exclaimed. ‘You have had an awful time today, my love. What did he say? I hope he didn’t upset you.’
‘He didn’t like it at all,’ Kerensa replied calmly, ‘but I got the upper hand of him so I have no more worries on that score.’
‘Good, I’m glad of that, but we still have that sailor to contend with. I won’t let him get away with blackmailing you and having you live in fear of him kidnapping Kane. I have an idea how to deal with him. Will you leave it to me, Kerensa?’
‘Depends what you’re thinking of doing,’ she said uncertainly. ‘I don’t want you getting into any kind of trouble.’
‘Trust me, will you do that? I can’t help with your other problems except to be always here for you, but I can do something about this one and your husband need never know about it.’
‘I don’t know, Clem,’ she bit her bottom lip, ‘it will mean keeping another secret from Oliver.’
‘Damn his pride! This is different. Don’t forget the thrashing he gave Peter Blake for hurting you. The sailor wouldn’t get off so lightly.’
Kerensa was torn, but she said, ‘What have you in mind? Shall I meet him as arranged?’
‘No, I want you to promise to stay at home all day tomorrow. You’re not to worry. I’ll see to everything. This time he won’t come back to haunt you.’
She felt his strength but was still unsure. ‘You’re not going to—’
‘Of course not, you know I’d never harm anyone.’ He kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek with his thumb. ‘Can you come here the day after tomorrow? I’ll tell you then what’s happened. Now, let’s forget other people for a little while longer, we’ll have to leave here soon.’
‘There’s something else, Clem…’ she faltered, ‘something more I haven’t told you… something even Oliver doesn’t know.’
Instinctively, Clem held her closer, ‘What is it, my love?’
* * *
On unsteady feet, Clem was shown into the captain’s cabin of the ketch, Free Spirit. The captain was in residence, seated at his small, immaculately tidy table, and after dismissing the first mate he viewed the handsome young farmer with cold interest.
‘I thank you for seeing me, Cap’n Solomon,’ Clem said. He returned the other’s icy gaze and understood why so many folk were afraid of Hezekiah Solomon. His heavy scent made Clem want to cough.
‘You are fortunate to find me here, Trenchard. I thought to put to sea on the morning tide but I decided to wait until I have accomplished a little business I have in mind. What can I do for you? You are surely not contemplating leaving your family for a life at sea?’
‘I’ll get straight to the point, Cap’n Solomon,’ Clem said boldly. ‘Lady Pengarron is in trouble, and unbeknown to her I’ve come to you because I believe you are the best one to help her out of it.’
Hezekiah was fascinated to meet this tall blond man, so cruelly pushed aside when Kerensa was forced to marry his friend. If Kerensa was in trouble and needed a pair of comforting arms round her, with Oliver acting so coldly it followed she would turn to Clem Trenchard. Hezekiah wanted Kerensa himself. He had no scruples about making love to a friend’s wife, even if it meant losing that friend or, better still, killing him in a duel, but up until now he had not tried to win Kerensa. There were two strong reasons: Kerensa would tell Oliver, and Oliver was the only man he was afraid of. Now there was some hope. He would never refuse to help Kerensa, but if he could help her where Clem Trenchard could not, and if Oliver prolonged the cold treatment, then perhaps…
‘Well,’ he said slowly in his melodic voice, ‘you had better tell me what ails the dear lady.’
‘A sailor, the disgusting swine who is supposed to be thereal father of Kane, has turned up in Marazion again. He’s demanding money to stay away from the boy and Lady Pengarron fears that if His Lordship was told he would become so enraged he’d kill the sailor and pay for it with his own life on the gallows. She doesn’t want him to know, you understand.’
‘I understand perfectly, Trenchard. I agree with Her Ladyship. It would be better if that particular piece of human flotsam remained at sea permanently. Do you understand me?’
Clem fancied the ship moved and spread his feet for balance. ‘I believe I do, Cap’n Solomon,’ he answered, narrowing his eyes. ‘It would be too bad for Her Ladyship to be bothered by that scum ever again.’
‘Then it is as good as done. Have you any idea where this… problem might be found at this moment?’
‘Aye, as a matter of fact I do. I scouted round the town after I saw Her Ladyship safely on her way home. He can be found fully legless in the gin shop next to the watchmaker’s.’
Hezekiah’s white hair gleamed in the light of a lantern lit to offset the afternoon’s gloom. He patted a few strands above his temple and the scent of cologne grew unbearably stronger, threatening to cut off Clem’s air supply. Clem could hardly wait to leave, the cabin seemed no bigger than an outdoor closet. He found it claustrophobic and preferred the smells of dung and sweating bodies to the unnatural aromas wafting up his nostrils courtesy of the sea captain.
‘I shall attend to it, Trenchard,’ Hezekiah said, with a twisted smile that chilled the marrow of Clem’s bones. ‘Lady Pengarron can be told I will be taking him on board my ship to answer a charge of violence made against him in a foreign port – the murder of another British sailor, for instance.’
Clem frowned. ‘I don’t think she will want the child to grow up and perhaps learn his real father was hanged as a murderer. ’Tis bad enough his mother was a prostitute.’
Hezekiah considered this. ‘Robbery by violent means then. It is also a hanging offence. Later it can be divulged he met with an unfortunate accident at sea and was never brought to justice. Knowing he is finally out of the way for good will surely ease her torment.’
Clem’s body gave a small involuntary shudder as the sea captain’s eyes turned to slits and glowed strangely, rather like a snake’s.
‘I thank you, Cap’n Solomon,’ he said quickly, wanting to get back on the firm ground of St Michael’s Mount again.
‘Indeed, I thank you, Trenchard, it will be a pleasure to come to the assistance of such a charming lady.’
As he left, Clem felt uneasy. He didn’t like having to ask this strange individual to help Kerensa, and he didn’t like the thought of her mixing socially with him either.
When he had seen Clem off his vessel, Hezekiah reached down to his soft fawn-coloured kid boot and pulled from its confines a thin jewel-handled stiletto blade. Almost reverently, he stroked the cold, hard steel.
* * *
Ameline was sitting
before her dressing-table mirrors attempting a more natural arrangement of her hair in the hope of pleasing Bartholomew on their next rendezvous. A small sound made her look anxiously at the window for signs of raindrops. If the weather turned wet again she feared Kerensa would not allow her to go riding and she would miss her last opportunity to see Bartholomew.
She thought again about his kiss. She felt he had been rather rough with her, his hands had gripped her uncomfortably and the touch of his lips on her neck had hurt and left a mark. She had looked for such marks on the necks of Kerensa and Polly O’Flynn. They were married, and were presumably kissed often by their husbands, but she found none and could not think of a reason for Bartholomew leaving one on her. She would tell him he must not do it again. It was a most unseemly blemish for a lady to acquire and if anyone but him had been responsible it would have brought an end to their meetings.
Ameline was fascinated by Bartholomew. When she was with him she gave no thought to James Mortreath. Bartholomew could offer her nothing that James could, but he was handsome, kind in his own way and charming in his attempt to speak well and use perfect manners. He talked often of his intention of becoming a wealthy man, of becoming important, respected, to have his company sought after. He was so earnest she could easily believe he had the inner strength to make it happen.
Of course she could not bear to become the wife of a poor fisherman, to exchange her genteel life for one of hard work and squalor. But she was powerfully drawn to Bartholomew and her head was full of romantic notions; if he happened to propose on their next meeting, if he would agree to wait a few years to see if his dreams came true… Even if her family could not overlook his low background, Oliver would understand. He had married out of his class, and she would always have a friend in Kerensa. They would convince her father and grandfather— she heard a step outside the door, a step lighter than Kerensa’s.
Ameline dropped a handful of hairpins. ‘Olivia, is that you?’
But Olivia had been taken over to Tolwithrick by Cherry to attend the birthday party of one of her many younger sisters. In fact there were few people about the manor today. Angered that Kerensa had ridden off without him, Oliver had postponed Luke’s punishment and taken him and Kane over to Ker-an-Mor Farm. Ameline had given Peters, her maid, permission to visit an acquaintance on the staff of Sir Martin’s house. It was Polly’s afternoon off, the King sisters were at the fishing village attending to a very ill woman and Beatrice was drunk in the tack room. Kerensa was at home, but having returned in a somewhat distressed condition from Marazion she had retired alone to her bedchamber, giving strict orders she was not to be disturbed.
Pengarron Pride Page 26
