‘I still can’t believe it. My whole life has been ruled by that man’s actions. It doesn’t seem possible that I might be free from his influence.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Daisy said slowly. ‘I thought you’d served your time.’

‘It’s not as simple as that.’ Jay stared at her, frowning. ‘So he’s dead and buried. I don’t think I’ll believe it until I see his tombstone.’

‘The whole village turned out to watch his funeral, and it wasn’t because they loved him. I think it’s sad that he’s remembered only for the bad things he did. Now you’ll have a chance to make amends.’

‘I’m a seafarer – a wanderer – and I don’t know if I could settle to a life on shore, especially one of responsibility and privilege. Maybe leaving everything to me was his way of keeping me tied to him for ever.’

‘What you do now is up to you, but think of your mother. She refuses to move into the manor house until you return and take up your rightful position. Do you really want her to spend the rest of the winter in that damp cottage, or helping out at Creek Hall, when she could live in comparative luxury?’

‘You make it sound so easy, but it’s far from simple.’ Jay peered into the snowstorm. ‘At least this will make our departure easier, provided we don’t collide with any other vessel.’

‘Don’t say things like that.’ Daisy settled back against the shabby leather squabs, but she was growing anxious. ‘Maybe I should get another cab, while the roads are still passable. I’ve never seen snow settle so quickly.’

‘We’re nearly there, and, as I said, I’ll pay the cabby to see you safely home.’ Jay turned to her with a wicked grin. ‘Or you could come with me. I know you’ve been longing for a voyage on the Lazy Jane.’

This made her smile. ‘In the summer, maybe, but I’ve seen the North Sea at its worst and I think I’d prefer to be on dry land in the winter months.’

She had tried to make light of her predicament, but Daisy grew increasingly anxious as their progress slowed down with the horse picking its way carefully through the deepening snow. When they finally came to a halt at the head of Irongate Stairs, Jay paid the cabby.

‘I’ll give you double to take the young lady back to Whitechapel.’

The cabby peered down through the open roof window, shaking his head. ‘Sorry, guv. I live nearby and I ain’t risking a return journey. Got to get the animal stabled and meself home.’

‘I’ll give you three times the cost then.’

‘You can see for yourself that there’s no traffic about. Sorry, guv.’

Jay lifted Daisy to the ground and her booted feet sank into a good four inches of freezing snow. ‘There must be someone willing to take a chance,’ Daisy said desperately. ‘I can’t stay here on the docks.’

The cabby looked down from his perch high above them. ‘I’d take you home with me, dear. But the missis might object.’ He chuckled and flicked the reins, encouraging his horse to plod forward.