The man shrugged. ‘Rumour has it that that young Bertie Preston an’ his cronies had a hand in it,’ the sailor said in a whisper. ‘The coppers are lookin’ fer ’em now but they’ve all gone to ground, the buggers! There’s been a few shop break-ins durin’ the last few weeks an’ Bertie an’ his gang have been in the frame every time but they ain’t managed to pin owt on ’em as yet. But anyway, I’d best get on, I don’t want to miss me ship sailin’. Ta-ra.’

The man went on his way and Barnaby walked his horse on to the market square. It was certainly turning out to be an eventful day one way or another.

*

Back at the house Mrs Ruffin was tending to Louisa who was now so weak that she was reliant on her maid for everything.

‘That’s it, my love. Just raise yourself a tiny bit more,’ she encouraged as she slid a clean nightdress over Louisa’s head. She had just gently washed her from head to toe, as she did each morning, but it seemed that no amount of washing could erase the smell of death that hung in the air now. ‘I’m sure your mother will be in to read to you soon, you’ll like that, won’t you?’

As she laid the young woman back on the lace-trimmed pillows, Louisa caught her arm. She was burning hot and her eyes were feverishly bright as she clutched at her swollen stomach with her other hand. ‘Yes, yes, I will, but before she comes in I need to speak to you, Ruffy. I . . . I know that I haven’t got long left,’ she said. ‘And truthfully, I shall welcome death; the pain is just so awful, even the medicine isn’t helping for long.’

‘That’s quite enough of that silly talk, my girl,’ Ruffy scolded. ‘Somehow we’re going to get you well.’

Louisa shook her head. ‘No, my dear Ruffy, you know that isn’t true . . . and so if you truly love me as you say you do, will you do something for me?’

‘Of course . . . anything, you should know that.’ The lump in Mrs Ruffin’s throat was so large that it was threatening to choke her. ‘What is it you want, just name it.’

‘I want . . .’ Every word was an effort now. ‘I want you to end it for me.’

‘What!’ Mrs Ruffin was so horrified that she snatched her arm away.

‘I wouldn’t ask if there was any chance of me getting better,’ Louisa told her. ‘But all I have left to look forward to is pain for however long I have left and you could end that pain for me.’