which caught and held his eye and touched his heart,’ he said meaningfully.
He examined the girl. She was no beauty in his eyes, yet neither could she be called plain. Her large, blue eyes had a piercing quality that plumbed to the depths of a problem. She was frankly
honest, outspoken and a man would know where he stood with her. She stood strong and four-square to whatever life might throw at her and her unique spirit flared powerfully. Was it this which Duret
had seen? She was so utterly different from anyone he had met before, including his grandmother.
‘And the other boy?’ he asked delicately.
Mary grimaced. ‘He is Victor le Page and I know who he is. Tante’s bastard grandson!’
Sam was staggered. ‘Him? Good God!’ he exclaimed then puffed his cheeks, turned and studied the two cows. This really did put the cat among the pigeons. Sam considered the Mistress
was totally and even unreasonably stupid where young le Page was concerned. All she could remember was Christine and the disgrace brought upon the Noyen family. She had a blind spot where breeding
was concerned and Sam knew it would take a better man than himself to make her change her opinions.
He turned back. ‘What would you do if Duret came home tomorrow and wanted an instant wedding?’
Mary threw both hands in the air. ‘I just don’t know!’
‘Well!’ was all Sam could manage for a moment. ‘This certainly does make a pretty kettle of fish. The Mistress will throw a fit when she learns about this,’ he warned
her. ‘What is le Page doing back here anyhow?’
Mary sighed. ‘His mother, the lady who adopted him and reared him, has recently died and he has come back to explore his roots and decide what he wants to do. His father died a number of
years ago. There is a Will but he doubts he will receive much money because his father was a drinker.’
Sam knew that. He shook his head with horror at the idea of le Page and Mary as his mind slipped back down the long years. Louise Penford had been eight when Sam was born and he could still
remember her father. Dan Penford had been a strong, tough man; as wild and daring as they came, so was it any wonder he had bred a granddaughter as rugged as himself? What had not been anticipated
was Christine’s feckless nature, crude to the point of being wanton.
Sam knew that breeding was a queer, complex subject whether it be with animals or men. Certain characteristics were recessive, appearing when least expected in future generations. Victor le Page
was a case in point. In looks, colouring and mannerisms, he was a replica of Dan Penford. He had the same loose-limbed build; he was tall and lean and, Sam guessed, he duplicated Dan’s
incredible, whipcord strength. Victor le Page was an unmistakeable Penford and once the Mistress saw him, she would have the shock of her life. She would think the young man was her father
reincarnated. Danny had had a bright, swift intellect plus a fiery temper but he had never been unjust in his actions though he could be a hard man when crossed. He wondered if young le Page had
also inherited these traits. Certainly, when compared to Duret Noyen, Victor le Page was far superior because Sam knew, deep down, that Duret was weak. When an obstacle reared its head, Duret would
simply wander away lost in his own peculiar thoughts mentally composing his poor poetry.
Sam suspected he was totally unsuited to Mary. She was far too ingenuous to cope with someone like Duret. The Mistress knew what her grandson was like as well. Sam knew there was much about the
family finances which had been divulged to the unfortunate Charles but which Louise withheld from Duret because of his flippant approach to life. So what had pushed Duret to join the Militia in the
first place and chase Mary in the second? How had he managed to persuade her to come to the island? It was all very puzzling to him and now there was this added complication. His heart sank
He examined the girl. She was no beauty in his eyes, yet neither could she be called plain. Her large, blue eyes had a piercing quality that plumbed to the depths of a problem. She was frankly
honest, outspoken and a man would know where he stood with her. She stood strong and four-square to whatever life might throw at her and her unique spirit flared powerfully. Was it this which Duret
had seen? She was so utterly different from anyone he had met before, including his grandmother.
‘And the other boy?’ he asked delicately.
Mary grimaced. ‘He is Victor le Page and I know who he is. Tante’s bastard grandson!’
Sam was staggered. ‘Him? Good God!’ he exclaimed then puffed his cheeks, turned and studied the two cows. This really did put the cat among the pigeons. Sam considered the Mistress
was totally and even unreasonably stupid where young le Page was concerned. All she could remember was Christine and the disgrace brought upon the Noyen family. She had a blind spot where breeding
was concerned and Sam knew it would take a better man than himself to make her change her opinions.
He turned back. ‘What would you do if Duret came home tomorrow and wanted an instant wedding?’
Mary threw both hands in the air. ‘I just don’t know!’
‘Well!’ was all Sam could manage for a moment. ‘This certainly does make a pretty kettle of fish. The Mistress will throw a fit when she learns about this,’ he warned
her. ‘What is le Page doing back here anyhow?’
Mary sighed. ‘His mother, the lady who adopted him and reared him, has recently died and he has come back to explore his roots and decide what he wants to do. His father died a number of
years ago. There is a Will but he doubts he will receive much money because his father was a drinker.’
Sam knew that. He shook his head with horror at the idea of le Page and Mary as his mind slipped back down the long years. Louise Penford had been eight when Sam was born and he could still
remember her father. Dan Penford had been a strong, tough man; as wild and daring as they came, so was it any wonder he had bred a granddaughter as rugged as himself? What had not been anticipated
was Christine’s feckless nature, crude to the point of being wanton.
Sam knew that breeding was a queer, complex subject whether it be with animals or men. Certain characteristics were recessive, appearing when least expected in future generations. Victor le Page
was a case in point. In looks, colouring and mannerisms, he was a replica of Dan Penford. He had the same loose-limbed build; he was tall and lean and, Sam guessed, he duplicated Dan’s
incredible, whipcord strength. Victor le Page was an unmistakeable Penford and once the Mistress saw him, she would have the shock of her life. She would think the young man was her father
reincarnated. Danny had had a bright, swift intellect plus a fiery temper but he had never been unjust in his actions though he could be a hard man when crossed. He wondered if young le Page had
also inherited these traits. Certainly, when compared to Duret Noyen, Victor le Page was far superior because Sam knew, deep down, that Duret was weak. When an obstacle reared its head, Duret would
simply wander away lost in his own peculiar thoughts mentally composing his poor poetry.
Sam suspected he was totally unsuited to Mary. She was far too ingenuous to cope with someone like Duret. The Mistress knew what her grandson was like as well. Sam knew there was much about the
family finances which had been divulged to the unfortunate Charles but which Louise withheld from Duret because of his flippant approach to life. So what had pushed Duret to join the Militia in the
first place and chase Mary in the second? How had he managed to persuade her to come to the island? It was all very puzzling to him and now there was this added complication. His heart sank
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