‘Mrs Ruffin assures me that she will barely leave her side,’ Barnaby said quietly. He had learnt that it was best not to argue with either of them and, after all, he asked himself, what more did he deserve than their contempt? Over the last months he had been forced to stand back and take a good long look at himself and he didn’t at all like what he saw and now he was reaping the rewards for his wickedness.

When the dessert was served – a delicious treacle tart with thick cream – Margaret helped herself to two portions. It seemed her concern for her daughter hadn’t affected her appetite, Barnaby thought wryly. Thankfully, when she had finished, she left the room and Barnaby and his father-in-law retired to the study for a brandy and a cigar. As much as he resented Robert’s interference, Barnaby had to admit that he was a very astute businessman.

‘So,’ Robert said as he clipped the end off his cigar and settled back into one of the two leather wing-back chairs. ‘You must have suffered a great loss with the sinking of The Neptune.’

‘Yes,’ Barnaby admitted. ‘But not such a loss as the wives, children and mothers of the men who were aboard her. I believe some of them have had to go into the workhouse.’

Robert waved his hand airily. ‘That is not your problem,’ he said callously. ‘Every man who sets out on a whaling ship is aware of the danger they are placing themselves in and they are well paid for taking the risk. If they haven’t made proper provisions for their loved ones, it’s none of your concern. What you should be concerned about, though, is how much it will cost to replace the ship.’

Barnaby clamped his lips together and didn’t answer. Only that day he had seen one of the fishermen’s widows standing on the harbour with a clutch of small, gaunt-faced children hanging off her skirts as she begged from anyone that passed by. He had made sure that she had enough to feed them for the next few days at least, but it had done nothing to ease his conscience, for what would happen to them then? And she was only one of many.

‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you in peace to enjoy your cigar while I go and check on the children.’

Robert raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Barnaby strode from the room and took the stairs two at a time up to the nursery floor.