it?
âSit here beside me, Jayne.â He led her to the plump sofa that faced the large windows. Beyond the bright garden, the sea rolled into the shore aglow in the sunshine. âI want only whatâs best for you,â Eynon said. âYou know what a reputation Dafydd Buchan has around here, and Iâm afraid youâll be hurt.â
âPlease, Papa, forget about the past. Dafydd is a respectable businessman now. His pottery in Llanelli is flourishing and he owns half of Carmarthen. Heâs richer even than you, so Iâd be well cared for.â
Eynon knew she was trying not to lose her temper, but he had to make her see sense. âThe fact remains that Buchan is the father of an illegitimate son. Have you forgotten the scandal that raged throughout the town about his liaison with Llinos Mainwaring?â
Jayne looked at him mutinously.
âEven if you donât remember other people will. Can you live with the shame of people talking about you, saying youâre second best to Llinos?â
His words stung, and Jayne moved away from him. âThatâs over and done with now!â she snapped. âAnd you forget, Father, that your own past isnât above reproach, is it? I think your own feelings for Llinos are clouding your judgement.â
âThatâs beside the point.â Eynon swallowed uneasily. âI deplore Buchanâs lack of moral fibre but itâs his interference in the laws of our country that worries me.â He struggled to keep calm. âBurning down gates and storming the workhouse isnât the sort of behaviour expected of a gentleman, is it?â
âDafydd was protesting against the toll charges, as you well know.â Jayneâs voice was filled with righteous indignation. âHe was trying to help people less fortunate than himself to get justice. In any case, that was a long time ago. Father, I intend to marry Dafydd whatever you say.â
She stared at Eynon challengingly. âHeâs coming here tonight to speak with you, and if you donât want to lose me for good please be civil to him.â
âAnd what if I send him away with a flea in his ear?â But he knew what Jayne would say, even before her lips framed the words.
âI shall elope with him and bring disgrace on you.â She came to sit beside him again and snuggled her head into his shoulder. âPlease, Papa, just give Dafydd a chance.â
Eynon relented. He could never deny Jayne for long but this infatuation with Buchan was not to be borne. Still, a little diplomacy might not go amiss. âAll right. If this man is the one you really want, then what can I say? Just promise me youâll have a long engagement. Youâre still very young, you know.â
âProbably as old as my mother was when she married you,â Jayne said. She kissed his cheek. âIâm going to have a bath and change into something special for tonight.â She smiled at him. âI really must have a new wardrobe soon, Papa. My gowns are so old-fashioned, I dread to be seen in them.â
Eynon was on safer ground now and smiled in relief. âGet the sewing woman up here any time you like, and make sure the bolts of material are from new stock or youâll be buying sun-damaged goods.â He hugged his daughter and kissed the top of her head. She was so precious to him. Jayne had been the only bright thing in his life since he lost Isabelle.
âYouâve gone all dreamy, Papa. Youâre thinking of Isabelle again, arenât you?â
He remembered the terrible events that had led to Isabelleâs death. The rioting against the tolls had reached a crescendo and she had been caught in the thick of the fighting at the Carmarthen workhouse. She had been crushed beneath the hoofs of the horses ridden by the dragoons. Dafydd Buchan was to blame for it all, and now his daughter wanted to marry the man.
âI know you miss her