Read Online Kingdom's Dream by Iris Gower - Free Book Online

would make him an excellent wife, not too demanding, not too bright, and certainly with no ambition except to have a gold band on her finger. ‘You’re such a sweet girl,’ he said, and Jayne smiled up at him, her small teeth white and even, her pale skin tinged with pink.
    â€˜Do you think so, Dafydd?’ There was an edge to her tone and Dafydd wondered if she was more perceptive than he gave her credit for. ‘You do really care for me, don’t you?’ she said. ‘You never say much so I don’t know what you’re thinking or feeling.’
    Dafydd patted her hand without speaking. It was a good thing she did not know that his thoughts were too often of Llinos. Poor Jayne: she would never fathom him. There was only one woman who understood him and that was Llinos Mainwaring.
    They left the hurry and bustle of the main streets and sat close together in Dafydd’s carriage. He stared out at the sun-dappled hedgerows and speculated on his life and loves. He had done well in both. He had loved Llinos for years, and he would not have missed those times for anything. Now he had Jayne, who adored him and would give him healthy children. Financially he would always be secure by virtue of his father’s enterprise in the early years of the century, and in fact he was one of the richest men in Wales.
    He would have liked to buy into the new railway line but he had made his move too late: the shares had been sold. It was an opportunity missed because soon there would be a station in Swansea. Some time ago he had stood on the hill and looked down at the work in progress on the track, knowing that this was the future, that this railway would reap a great harvest in a few years’ time.
    Still, Dafydd was never one to shed tears over investments he might have made. He had his own pottery, his extensive farmlands in Carmarthen, and now his shares in the big Swansea Pottery. He had no need to worry about the future: he and his brother and their families would live well for the rest of their lives.
    Ceri. The thought of his brother sent Dafydd’s spirits spiralling downwards. It would be a miracle if he lived to see Dafydd married. Whatever ailed Ceri, it was sapping the strength from him and lately he had lost even the hope that had been so much a part of him. He had one comfort, his belief in a just God, and he prayed devoutly.
    â€˜You’re very deep in thought, Dafydd. Look! We’re home! Wake up, my darling, and shake off that gloomy expression.’
    â€˜Sorry.’ He covered her hand with his. ‘I was thinking of my brother, wondering if he will be well enough to come to the wedding.’
    â€˜Of course he will. It’s only a few weeks away.’
    He was tempted to snap at her, to tell her that not every story had a fairy-tale ending, but the look on her face of admiration and love stopped the words in his throat.
    He alighted from the carriage and helped Jayne down onto the gravel of the drive that led to her father’s house. He wondered how he would be received this time: Eynon Morton-Edwards’ feelings fluctuated between acceptance of the situation and open hostility.
    Eynon was in a genial mood, and as Jayne took Dafydd’s arm and followed her father into the drawing room he could see why. Llinos was sitting there, her skirts spread around her dainty feet, and at her side was Sion, the image of himself. He saw her glance at his hand holding Jayne’s, and though she struggled for composure it was clear from her eyes that she was unhappy.
    â€˜You know Mrs Mainwaring, of course,’ Eynon said, his voice edged with sarcasm, and glowered at Dafydd.
    â€˜Yes.’ Dafydd spoke just as tersely and moved to sit beside her. ‘How are you, young fellow?’ He looked into the face of his son, caught between love and anger. They could all be together, if only Llinos would come to him, damn it! They belonged together, but Llinos moved into