‘And yet you have a care for her.’ Luke’s eyes glinted over the rim of his tankard.

For the first time in over a week Jack worked up a smile. ‘You know I do. But she’d never have married me if it weren’t for her predicament. She might end up resenting it. I’m afraid she’ll feel trapped.’

‘You’re worrying unnecessarily, she took little persuading to agree to my suggestion.’

‘She was in shock, Luke. I know only too well what can happen when you’re not in full possession of your mind. I’ve let the devil into mine, done so many things against my nature and my faith.’ Jack ducked his head when one of the Methodist evangelists who had come into the inn caught his eye. ‘And it don’t rest easy now I’m nearing home.’

‘Alicia has lived in humble circumstances before. You know this, she confided in you during those tête-à-têtes you shared with her.’

‘Being an impoverished squire’s daughter is a lot different to being a groom’s wife.’

‘But she won’t be living in poverty as your wife, Jack. You have my word all will be well. Just leave it to me. You do trust me?’

‘You know I trust you with my life.’

‘Well, then. Now rouse Mrs Rosevear and let us be on our way.’

While Jack mounted the dirt-laden stairs to awaken his bride, Luke paid the bill and went outside to wait for the horses to be saddled. He would not go back inside. He craved fresh air and open spaces for evermore, he felt, after spending the ten days since the fire choking on the effects of smoke in his lungs, and staying in scabby accommodation.

Their progress to Cornwall had been slow. Jack had found riding difficult at first, the terrified and grief-stricken lady had needed comfort. Luke had been terrified himself that those who had committed the arson in the quiet select house in St James’s Street would discover that Sophia, witness to their crime, was alive and slay her, and he and Jack also for saving her. Someone from the Society would have stayed and watched the house burning, would have seen him and Jack forcing an entrance. It may have been noticed that he had returned to his lodgings and left again almost immediately, taking his and Jack’s luggage with him. Apart from his disorderly appearance, hopefully, no one would think this particularly unusual, as it was well known in the circles they had frequented that he and his servant were about to return home for his nephew’s baptism. Pray God, no one from that unforgiving, seedy set saw him and his little party after that.