The village, whatever it was called, was on the mouth of a river where it met the North Sea. There were a few biggish boats moored around the harbour, including a very elegant white one with two masts, two lifeboats hanging above the deck, a pointy front, and a cylinder in the middle with steam already rising from it. There was also a sort of cabin on deck behind the steam cylinder, from where he assumed you steered the thing.

They parked the cars at the harbour. Anton and Knowle ushered Kim and the ladies on board first. Will sat in the car next to Chingford with the muzzle pressed against his side, and concentrated on not saying anything that would provoke the stupid bastard into squeezing the trigger.

Kim had better have some ideas. Will had a few, all involving violence, but they depended on knowing that someone he loved wasn’t going to get hurt.

They sat while Lord Flitby spoke to a harbourman, presumably with some sort of explanation for why he’d ordered the boat past eight at night. It wouldn’t be dark till ten or so in these midsummer days, but nobody else was setting out on a jaunt.

Evidently the Marquess was persuasive, or just told the man to mind his own business. Either way, he went off, the Marquess embarked, and after a while Anton came back to escort Will onto the ship.

There was a hatch revealing a wooden flight of stairs towards the front. Will descended to find himself in a surprisingly large if low-ceilinged room with wood panels and comfortable-looking chairs. It had a couple of tiny portholes, and electric light. Kim sat, looking sour, with his father next to him. Will joined them as ordered. The three armed men stood.

“Allow me to explain the situation,” Knowle said. “Lady Waring and Miss Jones are in the ladies’ cabin. We have, naturally, locked the doors. They will remain there unmolested for the duration of the voyage unless you cause trouble. If you do, they will pay the price.” He gave a cold smile. “Anton bears a grudge against Miss Jones. For her sake, Mr. Darling, I suggest you behave.”

Will fixed his gaze on the opposite side of the cabin. Kim said, “You heard that, Father. Proud of yourself?”

“There is no need for harm to come to anyone,” the Marquess said. “Just cooperate and nobody will be harmed.”

“Except the next person who stands in Knowle’s way when you let him go.”