‘You don’t believe me?’
‘Your story smacks of vulnerability and being hoodwinked, which is how you have made me feel.’
‘We are not married as man and wife. Yes, legally, but in the marriage bed, no.’
‘I don’t need to hear this—’
Henry grasped her hand. ‘I will get a divorce.’
‘How?’
‘I’ll find a way. We can be married, just as we planned. And I will give you a home of your own, and children who will smother you in hugs.’
Amelia shook her hand away and closed her eyes. ‘No!’
Henry fell silent, knowing, perhaps, that he had promised too much. It no longer mattered. She had made a decision about her own future during the night, when sleep had eluded her and her feelings of guilt were at their worst. She had questioned her decision on several occasions since, when she had placed Talek’s letter on his desk, when she had arrived at the Wheatsheaf Inn, even when she had seen Henry for the first time. Now she was convinced it was the right thing to do. The horse’s ears flicked away a gnat. It was an old horse, with a swayed back and limited years ahead of it. She had chosen well.
‘Grace is a meddler,’ Henry was saying. ‘Did you know that her father raped her mother? She is contaminated. To think you have had her in your house and eating at your table.’
The sandy beach of Porthpean lay beneath the cliff. Amelia could not see it from the road, but the cliff edge was only a short distance with no hedges to block the way. She had chosen this spot well.
‘We will make a formidable team, Amelia,’ Henry continued. ‘Our combined shares will mean we have the final say. I have great plans for the future. A name change for the business would be the first.’
‘I rode alone to see you, Henry. I thought my courage would fail me, but I’m stronger than I look.’
‘You did well,’ he replied, absently. She wondered if he had really heard her at all.
‘I think I would like to drive the horse now. It will do me good to take control for once.’
Henry frowned. ‘There is no need. I can control the horse with one hand.’ His grasp tightened on the reins.
Amelia stroked his arm. ‘Please, Henry. You can guide me. Unless, of course, marriage to you would mean I’m denied such simple pleasures. Perhaps I need to reconsider.’
Amelia looked at him through her eyelashes. Henry’s frown deepened, then faded away. He laughed and passed her the reins.
‘Do as you will. Just a short way, no more. It will give my arm a rest.’
Amelia looked at the reins in her hands. The leather was well waxed, its pungent smell teasing her to use them. She eased the horse into a walk. The road dipped nearer to the edge before curving away. Henry instructed her on how to guide the horse, which she dutifully followed.
Despite her past experience, she remained unusually calm, gaining in confidence with each turn of the wheel.
‘Thank you for being so understanding, Henry.’
They exchanged smiles and Henry relaxed a little more. He looked out to sea.
‘I’ll see my solicitor right away. We should marry as soon as possible. You must not let Talek know or he will try to put a stop to it.’
‘You think you can still work with Talek?’
‘I have broken no laws. As one of the owners, I have simply withdrawn money I have legitimate access to. The clay contract was as much Caradon Potteries’ fault for buying unsuitable clay. Talek would have to buy my shares. I’m not willing to sell them. Not if I have you by my side. You will make a good mother to our children, Amelia. Life will be good for both of us.’
Amelia guided the horse off the track and onto the grass.
‘Where are you going?’ asked Henry.
‘I thought the horse could graze a while.’ Amelia guided the horse forward a little more.
‘The cliff edge is just over there. The horse may be one of your most reliable, but it can still be startled. Turn him to the left a little more.’
