Penmarric Part V

Philip inherits the estate under certain conditions, that he can leave it to his brother Jan or his nephew Jonas, if he does not have a son. He is allowed to leave it to one or the other, because they were alive when Mark died, and they both have the name Castallack. He starts to consider marriage, because he wants an heir for his home and his mine. But he has never had any interest in women. Philip is not a very reflective man, and does not consider why this might be. He dedicates himself to his mining work but he finds that running the Penmarric house etc is expensive and he does not have a lot of ready money. He then thinks of Helena Meredith, who is attractive and intelligent. She also has a large fortune.. and he decides to pay court to her. After a short courtship, he asks her to marry him. His sister Jeanne then announces that she is engaged to Helena's invalid brother, who is in a wheelchair and who has loved her for years. Philip does not consider the implications of his approaching marriage, even when Trevose cools on him over the issue. He considers finding a woman to get in a little discreet practice at sex, but he's always too busy. Then he and Helena get married and disaster begins to hit him. Their honeymoon is a nightmare. Philip finds himself unable to make love to his wife... it brings up memories of his seeing Janna after she was raped by his father. He goes to see doctors who recommend a psychiatrist. He talks to the doctor who says that he would have to see him several times. Philip says that he cannot keep coming to London.. so his doctor suggests that he should try writing out his experiences and see if that helps him to find a solution to his problems. Philip is not keen on the idea but he accepts it as a possible way out. So he starts writing about his life, back in Cornwall and then realises that he has reached a conclusion in his own mind. On consideration, he decides that he does not want to be a husband... that that is the big block that he has. He doesn't love Helena or find her attractive and he does not want to be married, except for the idea of having a son... He feels it is only fair to offer her a divorce. She refuses, and they continue to live together but are privately estranged. Philip feels that there is nothing wrong if Helena does not want a divorce, with his deciding to lead his own life, and he spends more time with Trevose and seeing his mother, and Helena begins to spend more time with her brother and Jeanne.