‘I didn’t expect to see you here.’ Her eyes widened as he approached. Was he so odious? He smiled and she instantly grew wary. God, he had made a mess of things.
‘I hope you were not thinking of jumping in.’
What was he thinking? Was holding a friendly conversation with her so impossible? Did it always have to involve the thrust and parry of a taut encounter? He cleared his throat and tried again. ‘The rain has worked its magic,’ he observed, nodding towards the white water. ‘More waste drains into the river after a heavy rainfall. Isn’t that the reason you are here? To see the water?’
‘Amelia suggested I get some fresh air and take a walk by the river.’ He felt sorry for her discomfort as she looked eager to be gone.
‘May I accompany you?’ He braced himself for her refusal. None came so he fell into step beside her and, strangely, with each step his mind grew blanker at what to say next. Thankfully, Grace came to his rescue.
‘The river reminded me of an incident in my childhood, I wasn’t intending to jump in.’
He offered her a smile, but being out of practice, it turned into more of a grimace. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ The slight lift of her eyebrow ignited an urge to either convince her or defend himself. Unsure of which, he decided it was safer to remain silent.
‘I think Amelia is expecting Henry to call.’
‘He’ll be too busy with the accounts to entertain her today. The wages are due soon.’
‘He seems to manage doing both quite well.’
Talek looked at her. Surely she didn’t mean—
‘She enjoys his company . . . and he enjoys hers,’ continued Grace. ‘Although I’m her companion, I feel it’s not my place to insist that I stay when Amelia wants me to leave.’
Talek felt a rush of relief. This explained her earlier wariness. Grace was concerned he’d be annoyed she had left his sister unaccompanied. At least in this he could put her at ease.
‘Henry and Amelia have known each other for several years. I see no reason too either.’
She glanced at him with the same curious expression he often saw from across the table at mealtimes. For a moment their gaze held, until she blinked and turned her attention back to the river.
‘I know my arrival has placed you in a difficult position. You’ve made no secret that you haven’t forgiven me for my hasty judgment at Hel Tor. And I haven’t helped matters by not apologising. I’m sorry. My intentions were good, but I jumped to the wrong conclusion and I judged you harshly. I won’t jump to conclusions again.’
‘That was several months ago.’
‘But it is still between us.’
He looked at the canopy of leaves above. ‘There is something between us. I’m not sure it is that.’ He had replied without thinking. Shocked at his own admission, he quickly changed the subject. ‘Do you miss Trehale? The clay lands lack the beauty of the moor.’
‘The community is strong here and the man-made lakes and moonlike landscape have their own peculiar beauty.’
Talek felt encouraged by the compliment. ‘And do you miss your family?’
‘Yes, of course.’ He noticed the firm set of her lips. It appeared that she did not wish to elaborate on the subject. He decided not to press her further. They continued to walk side by side in silence as the white river slowed to a gentle flow.
‘Amelia says that you have secured a new contract.’
Talek was thankful for the lifeline. Clay was a safer subject.
‘Yes. Caradon Potteries is one of the largest producers of porcelain in Staffordshire. They buy only the finest clay.’
‘Amelia says you have two mines. Do they both produce clay suitable for the production of porcelain?’
‘Bothick does. Stenna Pit, at Stenalees, produces a lower quality. We also send a proportion of our clay for the production of earthenware and paper. Each product has its own requirements. For porcelain the clay needs to be white and be able to withstand high firing temperatures. For paper, plasticity is also key. If it’s wrong then the paper produced from it will fade and produce streaking.’ He glanced at Grace, aware he was at risk of boring her. To his surprise, she still appeared interested.
‘I hadn’t realised you have so much to oversee.’
‘Sometimes I think it is too much. Unfortunately, I have been at fault of neglecting my responsibilities over the past year.’
‘You are referring to Amelia’s accident.’
