‘Sooner or later, Pops, someone’s going to guess the truth. About me, I mean. Chaps like me are supposed to have lots of girls. But I don’t want you to think that you’re …’ He laughed. ‘What I’m trying to say, and making a right hash of it, is it’s different with you.’

‘Is it?’ Maggie’s heart lifted for a moment. This was what she wanted – expected – to hear but, in the next breath, he disappointed her again.

‘Aunt Esther knows. She’s met Mike, she approves. But she’s worried for me. I could lose everything, you know. “Get yourself a nice girl”, she told me. And I’ve met a nice girl, Poppy. I’ve met you.’

Maggie swallowed and closed her eyes for a second. How could this have all gone so wrong? She should be over the moon but, instead, she was confused and dreadfully let down. What was he saying? Was that all she was? A ‘nice girl’? And this Mike – was he more important to Jack than her?

‘Tell me …’ She could hardly speak, she was so cold but she had to try to understand. ‘Tell me about you and Mike.’

‘Ah yes, Mike.’ His voice softened, as it always did when he mentioned his pal. ‘Look, it will help us, if you and me can marry. But once we’re married, we can do what we like. Independently. You can have your own life but you’ll have a nice house and – you’ll want for nothing, Pops.’

She opened her mouth to reply but before she could speak, Jack had grabbed her hand.

‘Oh, you’re like a block of ice!’ he said. ‘Let’s go inside, into the warmth and tell everyone we’re engaged! They’ll be delighted; everyone likes you, Pops. They’ll be pleased for us.’

‘No!’ Maggie tugged her hand away. ‘I haven’t … well, I haven’t given you my answer.’

She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, it hadn’t even occurred to Jack Rosman that she might turn him down. Why would she? He was a catch and a half, a dreamboat, she’d be the envy of all the girls, she’d never have to work or to worry about money again.

‘It’ll keep me out of prison,’ he murmured.

Maggie’s heart lurched. Mutti was in a kind of prison and the thought of someone else that she loved, locked up, oh, it was too much to bear.

Jack’s liberty, as well as his happiness, was in her hands.

She pulled herself up tall. ‘I’d like some time to think about it, if I may,’ she said, remembering the phrase Lord Ashford had taught her. It didn’t sound like her at all and for a moment, Jack didn’t speak.