realise that on paper it’ll be shared, of course. But I’ll be running Stonewylde, not Sylvie. I don’t want her put under any sort of pressure or stress – you know how delicate she is. She can take part in some of the ceremonies if she wants, but all decision making and actual leadership of the estate will come to me.’
Clip looked into Yul’s eyes. They met his unwaveringly.
‘How does Sylvie feel about that?’ he asked. ‘I thought she believed it would be an equal partnership. Does she want you to do everything and not make any contribution herself?’
‘I expect so. She’ll agree if I say so.’
Clip raised his eyebrows at this.
‘I think you’re being a little high-handed, Yul. Surely Sylvie has some say in this? She seems—’
‘This is one area where I won’t compromise. I won’t do anything to risk her becoming ill again. Hazel said it was due to too much pressure, too many demands on her. So there’ll be no pressure and no demands. All she has to worry about are the girls and they’re at Nursery anyway.’
‘It wasn’t pressure that caused Sylvie’s breakdown, surely? We all know it was a hormone imbalance after Bluebell was born – puerperal psychosis. She’s long over that, Yul, and she’s perfectly healthy now.’
‘Yes, because I’ve made sure she leads a stress-free life. She has no worries or burdens at all and she’s completely carefree.’
‘That’s as may be, but she’s not happy.’
‘Of course she’s happy!’ he snapped, stung by Clip’s observation.
‘I really don’t think she is. Why not talk to her and find out what’s wrong. But don’t assume she’ll do everything you say – my daughter has a mind of her own and she’s much tougher than you give her credit for. I’m not prepared to hand anything over to you alone if Sylvie isn’t in complete agreement.’
Yul glared at him.
‘I’ll thank you to keep your views on our marriage to yourself. I think I know whether or not my own wife is happy, and her happiness has no bearing on running Stonewylde anyway. Sylvie wouldn’t have a clue where to begin. It’s such a complex venture with so many difficult issues and problems – she doesn’t have the knowledge or skills to deal with any of it.’
‘I recall she studied agricultural management and business studies at university especially so that she could one day run the estate,’ said Clip mildly. ‘I’d say Sylvie was far better trained in the skills needed to run Stonewylde than you’d appear to be. You chose to study the Arts.’
‘On yours and Miranda’s advice,’ muttered Yul, scowling. ‘You said I should broaden my intellect and understanding of the world.’
‘Quite so. You couldn’t even read until the age of sixteen and had no knowledge of – or interest in – anything outside Stonewylde. You needed to expand your horizons and I’m sure you don’t regret it.’
‘Of course not. But since then, I’ve also studied estate management, agriculture, sustainability, alternative power, ecological issues … you know I never stopped studying. There’s so much I still don’t know and I want to learn it all. But I think I know a great deal more than Sylvie about the best way to run Stonewylde, whatever she may’ve learnt years ago at university.’
‘Just talk to her – see what she has to say on the subject.’
‘I know what she has to say about it. Sylvie and I talk all the time. You’ve got the wrong idea about her and what she feels – she’s perfectly happy and she’ll willingly do whatever I advise her.’
Yul stood up and stretched, seeming to fill the room. Looking down at Clip he indicated subtly, but leaving no doubt, that the conversation was now over.
‘If this really is your final year then I’m prepared to allow the labyrinth to be built one last time up at the Stone Circle. But I shall let it be known at the meeting tomorrow that this will be the final one. Thank you for your time, Clip – and your wonderful news.’
As Clip left the office he felt like a servant who’d been dismissed.
5
Sylvie sat alone in the circle of chairs laid out on the stone-flagged floor of the Galleried Hall. The huge carved wooden chair with boars’ heads on its arms dominated the circle; this was where Clip sat, as leader of the community. Sylvie was the first to arrive for the Council of Elders meeting, looking forward to hearing the annual reports that were always presented