The road towards St Austell and the nearby harbour was unusually quiet for the time of day.

‘Where would you like to go?’ asked Henry, urging the horse into a brisk trot.

Amelia closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the passing breeze that caressed her face.

‘I would like to see the sea. There is a road that navigates the cliff above Porthpean Beach. It has a fine view and we won’t be disturbed there.’

‘I know the one you mean,’ said Henry, urging the horse on. They rode in silence for some minutes, before taking the left turn and leaving the main road behind them. The steady trot and the dappled shadows of the overhanging trees were both comforting and shielded them from prying eyes. Eventually Henry said, ‘I didn’t think you would answer my letter.’

‘You are everything to me, Henry. How could I ignore it?’ Amelia unpinned her hat and placed it on her lap. The brisk breeze continued to flow over her body, teasing strands from her styled hair and helping to soothe away the remaining tension in her body. ‘Although I must confess, at first I was in two minds whether to reply or throw it away.’

‘I am glad you did not do the latter.’

She turned to look at him. He noticed.

‘What are you looking at?’

‘Your profile reminds me of Adonis.’

‘A handsome fellow.’

‘Yes. Very handsome.’

‘Wasn’t he gored by a boar?’

She smiled. ‘Then we must be thankful there are no boars nearby.’ She stroked the ribbon on her hat. ‘I was tempted to throw your letter away. My brother had just told me you were married.’

‘And I told you in my letter that I’m not.’ Henry twitched the reins. ‘Margaret lied. She played your brother for a fool and he has believed her. It’s not the first time she’s lied.’

‘She was at your house,’ replied Amelia, calmly. ‘That cannot be disputed. I assume it was your house and not hers . . .’

‘It’s my house. She was just visiting. I was out at the time and my housekeeper invited her in. My housekeeper has been sorely reprimanded for her mistake.’

Amelia studied him. Henry had always oozed confidence, but had she just heard the hint of desperation in his voice? The arrogant tilt of his jaw remained as if he didn’t doubt that she would believe him.

Amelia returned her attention to the hat in her lap. ‘Did you know that Grace told me what you were up to?’ Henry didn’t reply. ‘I told her I already knew and that I would put a stop to it.’

Henry glanced at her, surprised. ‘You did?’

‘Yes. I lied to her . . . for you. She didn’t tell Talek because she was protecting me. I learnt you were cheating my brother and did nothing to stop it.’

‘Not cheating. I don’t like that word. I made a mistake, but it was innocently made.’

‘Was it a mistake, Henry?’

‘I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t think that the potteries would discover it.’

‘Aren’t you concerned for the reputation of our business?’

‘I didn’t know that the grade of clay would make so much difference.’

‘Or did not care.’ From his irritable sideways glance, she knew she had spoken the truth. ‘Talek is very angry with you.’

‘Talek will calm down.’

‘He says you are married and that you only courted me to get your hands on my shares.’

‘If I was married, I wouldn’t be able to marry you, which proves that Margaret is not my wife.’

‘He believes you don’t care about the law. He believes you were intending to commit bigamy.’

‘Your darling brother has always had a very poor opinion of me!’ retorted Henry. ‘Why would he change now?’ Henry’s outburst gave way to an uncomfortable silence. He turned the horse and trap towards a narrow earthy track, which climbed to the top of the cliff. Vibrant flowers speckled the overgrown hedgerows, before they finally disappeared as the track cut through an open field.

Amelia was the first to break the silence. ‘Is he right to have one?’

‘Have what?’

‘A poor opinion of you.’

Henry frowned and looked at her. ‘Whose side are you on?’

Amelia smiled at him. ‘I wasn’t aware I had to choose sides.’

Henry’s frowned deepened. ‘You do if we marry as you will be my wife.’ He tightened the reins and they came to a halt.

Amelia breathed out slowly. ‘Let us not argue, Henry. That is not why we are here.’

The English Channel spread out beneath them and offered them the respite from their painful conversation. They both watched the silent waves as they rolled beneath the surface and onto the shore.

Amelia dragged her gaze away from the dark waters to the man sitting beside her. ‘Do you love me, Henry?’

Henry continued to stare out to sea. ‘This has all come about because of your brother. If he hadn’t questioned or blocked every idea that I have ever had—’

‘He has not blocked every idea.’

‘It feels like that when you are on the other end of it.’

Henry’s tone reminded Amelia of a petulant child. It was not an attractive trait for a man to have.

‘How did you meet Margaret again?’

‘He just dismisses everything without even a discussion.’ There was that tone again. She felt her resolve stiffen.

‘Henry? How did you meet her again? She says her child is yours.’

Henry shrugged, as if her question was of no importance. But it was, to her and to Talek.

Henry took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. ‘She came to my office last week on some minor pretext.’ He folded it roughly and pushed it back into his pocket. ‘I had not seen her before then.’