The first dinner gong woke him and he scrambled to his feet with a groan. He had felt all right when he’d been out, but now he was aware that he’d overdone his first day. He had always been fit and healthy, and it was hard to make himself take it easy. Still, the doctor had said the weariness would fade as he began to move around more.

All he had time for was a quick wash and change into a suit. They didn’t dress for dinner unless they had guests, but his father did insist on a jacket and tie.

He arrived in the dining room just as they were sitting down.

‘Your mother told us about your day out,’ his father said. ‘How did you feel?’

‘Rather tired when I got back, but the doctor said I’d feel stronger each day.’

‘Is Jenny now going to stay at the same house?’ John asked. ‘You remember I mentioned Winford a while ago to Henry Eddison – well, he asked if we knew where Winford’s daughter could be found. I said we did, so we don’t want to lose track of her now.’

When his brother paused, Matt leant forward. ‘And?’

‘He said he’d spoken to some people who had known Cyrus Winford, and it seems there’s a lawyer by the name of Dwight Roberts who’s on his way here to see her.’

Matt frowned. ‘Did he say why?’

‘No.’ John was obviously as puzzled as everyone else. ‘But I don’t like the sound of it. This lawyer booked a passage as soon as he heard we knew where she was. I hope it doesn’t mean more trouble for the girl.’

‘Why do you think it might?’ their mother asked.

Gilbert poured himself another glass of red wine. ‘Well, my dear, this man Greaves has been desperate to get his hands on her, and now Mr Roberts is coming all the way from New York, saying that he has been searching for her.’

Matt felt his insides tighten as he pictured Jenny’s smiling face. Was there more trouble heading her way? Luke had found a marriage certificate for the Winfords, but was it a bigamous marriage? If so, that would mean Jen was illegitimate. His mind began to search for another reason, any reason, for the lawyer’s visit, but everything he came up with was bad. ‘We mustn’t leave her alone with him!’

‘We don’t intend to,’ his father said, his mouth set in a determined line. ‘He’s coming on the Mauretania and arrives at Southampton the day after tomorrow. Luke and I will be there to meet him when he docks, and we’ll bring him back to stay with us.’