Narrator's Foreword:

 

The first meeting between the young lady Jennifer and the Lady of Mathom Hall was pivotal in those early days of that critical summer and the following few days sowed the seeds of the dynasty which would later emerge. They were but tiny, those seeds, to begin with but they grew at an extraordinary pace; so much so that the great tree that would grow from them was already recognisable before the leaves had fallen in Mathomdale that year and it was, even so early, possible to perceive the magnificence their growth would achieve in the years to come.

Many historians find themselves surprised at the sudden explosive growth and students are often puzzled by the speed with which events unfolded and with which the building blocks of the dynasty began to fall into place. It is common to ascribe this dramatic shift to the remarkable characteristics of the younger lady Jennifer but that is only a part of the story. Certainly, the appearance of Jennifer Walstow in Mathomdale was the catalyst which spurred the rejuvenation of the House of Mathom and it was noticeably around her that the new generation of the House began to rally. Nevertheless, it has to be remembered that she was very young and, while the traits that would one day make her such a powerful matriarch of the Line were discernible even then, she was not, as yet, into the full blossoming of the Goddess and, without the intervention of the old guard of the House, the new dynasty might have been stillborn in that fateful summer.

It is impossible to overstate the decisive impact on this nascent seeding of the first Lady of the Line; the legendary Lady Mathom or Lady Jennifer Senior of the House of Mathom. It was she who recognised immediately the full import of Katherine Carmillion's daughter and, following her first encounter with Jennifer, acted swiftly to enslave her within the Line of the Goddess and prepare the House of Mathom for a new future; one in which the younger Jennifer would become a central figure in the renaissance of the Line. Her Ladyship wove a web of silk around her younger namesake: trapping her firmly within the Valley of the Goddess, to the eternal gratitude of generations of the Line to come.

Lady Mathom was ably assisted, in this, by the young Jennifer's propensity to shackle herself inextricably in her inexhaustible capacity to love and inspire love. It was easy for Her Ladyship to bind her own son in devotion to Jennifer and easier yet for her to tie Jennifer to the servitude of the House of Mathom through her beloved slave, the Lady Rebecca, for Jennifer herself was all too ready to sacrifice herself, in love, to them. It is sometimes said that Jennifer walked into slavery with her eyes open but it is perhaps more accurate to say that she did so with her heart open and that she took her chains willingly in the name of the love which always ruled her.

So, Lady Mathom tightened the bonds on Jennifer with that young lady's almost instinctive compliance; tying her to the House of Mathom, though her son and slaves, and, as we shall see, to the whole valley and the whole of the Line of the Goddess through the presentation of a single white rose. Only one fly remained in the ointment of Her Ladyship's schemes; Jennifer's inexplicable and defiant devotion to the unlikely figure of Julie Hawthorne. It is known that Lady Mathom was concerned about Jennifer's insistence on binding herself to this apparently unremarkable village girl and that she may have expressed disapproval of the relationship. Julie Hawthorne was an enigma; a random factor that did fit easily into Her Ladyship's plans. In this respect, it may be that Jennifer saw more clearly than Her Ladyship but the mystery surrounding Julie remained obscure.

One last factor must be mentioned as a driving force to the urgency which impelled the revitalisation of the House of Mathom. In the very week that Jennifer met Lady Mathom for the first time, the age-old forecast of the archival oracles of the Line known as "Prophecy One" was confirmed by direct observation by radio astronomers in New Mexico. The intensity with which events unfolded must be seen within the context of this historical revelation. Before "Prophecy One" it was desirable to enslave Jennifer Walstow. After it, it was imperative. The future was arriving fast. There was no time to lose

 

Chapter One

 

Lady Mathom watched Jennifer and the Appletons depart, being led by Thomas back through the Hall to the main entrance. Her breathing was light and restrained, her mind was unravelling threads of future possibilities; analytical and remorseless in its formulation of strategy. Her son was by her side being unusually quiet, his natural exuberance subdued for the moment; lost in thought. Robin was often a foolish man but he was by no means stupid and he realised instinctively that Jennifer Walstow was an extraordinary girl. He wondered what game his mother was playing now. She'd teased him with Jennifer he knew, even enticed him and he was sufficiently self-aware to understand that the enticement was not disagreeable to him.

His mother had always challenged his sexuality in this way; dangling young lovelies in front of him and daring his masculinity. He'd frequently resented it. He was, at heart, a hopeless romantic and his mother's mischievous matchmaking with suitable young ladies, had irritated him, making him feel that he was being put out to stud to further her aims. Now it seemed as if she'd found the perfect foil for her machinations. He felt sure in some way that his mother had engineered this chance encounter to subtly introduce Jennifer Walstow into his life. Despairingly he knew how brilliant that was since, however much he might resent it, however much he would feel at the mercy of his mother's schemes, he could not reject the offer of Jennifer Walstow. He knew he would carry the soft hazel eyes to his bed that night and that they would haunt him from thereon.

"So Robin what do you think?"

Robin span around to find his mother regarding him in quiet amusement. "About what?" he asked in sudden anger.

"Why about young Jennifer of course. Don't be obtuse Robin. Did you think I was asking your opinion on Mr Appleton's proposals for the new generators?"

"Is she your new proposition for me mother? Have you put another bitch up for offer? Don't you understand that I'm not some damn stud to be farmed out to any little hussy you find suitable? Am I supposed to wag my tail like an inane puppy dog just because you toss me a biscuit like Jennifer Walstow?"

"Robin please try to confine your powers of reasoning to the creatures in your biology labs since you're apparently hopeless at divining motives amongst people. I am not tossing Jennifer Walstow to you. For one thing you don't deserve her... as you make abundantly clear by your immature outburst."

"You're lying! You set this up! I won't have it! I'm sick of you trying to fob me off on every pretty piece of skirt you've lined up. I'm not in the least bit interested in your latest acquisition."

"It will be my turn to get angry soon Robin if you do not compose yourself and grow up! I repeat. You are not worthy of Jennifer Walstow! I had no intention of introducing her to you in fact. If you must burst in tactlessly on private conversations you can hardly blame me for the consequences. Furthermore, it ill becomes you to insult a fine young lady such as Jennifer through your childish foolishness. She is a remarkable and sensitive young woman and I'll thank you not to call her a bitch in my presence or suggest that she is some whore provided for your undeserving convenience! Were you not listening to the conversation? She is Katie's daughter! My wife's daughter! That makes her a surrogate daughter of mine and I'm bound to say a rather more admirable member of my family than you are currently displaying yourself to be. If you have nothing pleasant to say about the girl then hold your tongue!"

Robin was aghast at his mother's fury. The amethyst eyes flared in rage at him. "Is it true mother?" he asked in fear "Did you really not invite Jennifer here to entice me?"

"You wretched fool! Of course not! As if I'd subject a fine young lady like Jennifer to the boorish attentions of a congenital idiot! I have promised her that you will show her the gardens but other than that I forbid you to inflict your company on the girl until you have learned to comport yourself like a grown man. Go back to your bugs or the whore you visit in Brawton! Jennifer is not for you!"

Robin almost staggered under the assault of his mother's rage. Instantly he was contrite. "I... I'm sorry mother. Please don't be angry! I'm sorry. Truly I am. I... I didn't understand. Please forgive me. You're right. I was out of order! Oh God I'm sorry."

Lady Mathom allowed herself to calm down and regard her son dispassionately, berating herself for not tackling the problem of her son earlier. "It is not only myself to whom you owe an apology Robin. Your remarks concerning Jennifer are intolerable."

"I know mother. I was confused and angry. Please forgive me."

"Robin if you are truly contrite then a mere apology is hardly sufficient penance. If you really regret your remarks about Jennifer then prove it!"

"How mother?"

"Spend the weekend in the cellars! It will give you time to reflect on the respect due to a lady of the Line. Perhaps I will have Sebastian whip you or perhaps send Mrs Carmichael down to attend to the task in his stead. Perhaps you will learn better manners under their administrations. Agree or I will refuse to forgive you and you'll not be allowed to meet Miss Walstow again!"

Robin stared at his mother. It had been several years since she had had him beaten but he knew that she could be implacable. Furthermore he realised the injustice that his pent-up resentment had lead him to impose on Jennifer and his mother. A punishment in the cellars was a just sacrifice to Jennifer. He had fallen in love with her and then deeply insulted her. He would take his punishment for the love of her. "Very well mother. I agree." In shame Robin stood to leave. Lady Mathom watched his back as he departed. She was smiling.