‘Stop calling me that.’ She tossed her head. ‘You’re impossible.’

As if on cue Lewis entered the saloon, holding out a clean white shirt. ‘This was all I could find, Captain.’

‘That’ll do nicely.’ Jay took it from him and held it up in front of Daisy. ‘Take off your gown and give it to Lewis. He’ll wash it for you and make sure it’s dry for tomorrow.’

Daisy hesitated. ‘I’m not undressing in front of you.’

‘What a pity.’ Jay began to unbutton his shirt. ‘I’ll take mine off and hand it to Lewis, but only if you’ll do the same. I can’t say fairer than that.’

‘Shall I go outside, miss?’ Bright red in the face, Lewis backed towards the door.

‘Just turn your back,’ Daisy said wearily. ‘You, too, Jay. No peeping.’

They both turned away while she stepped out of her gown and put on Jay’s clean shirt. She tapped Lewis on the shoulder and handed him the garment. ‘Thank you, Lewis. I really appreciate this.’

Jay slipped off his shirt and tossed it to him. ‘See what you can do with this. Although I dare say it’s ruined.’

Lewis hurried from the saloon, leaving Daisy and Jay facing each other. His bare torso was well-muscled and his skin gleamed silkily in the lamplight. Daisy had to curb the treacherous desire to walk into his arms and feel the warmth of his flesh against hers. She took a deep breath. ‘I’m going to my cabin, Jay. I’ll say good night.’

‘It’s lucky for you that I was born a gentleman or I might be reclaiming what’s mine.’

She walked past him with her head held high. ‘That doesn’t include me. I’m nobody’s property.’

‘I meant my shirt, of course,’ Jay said, laughing. ‘Now that would be interesting. Would you like me to escort you to my cabin?’

‘Thank you, but no. I think I can find the way.’ Daisy let herself out of the saloon and went straight to the cabin, where she sat on the bunk with her arms wrapped round her. The soft cotton of Jay’s shirt was cool against her skin and the scent of him seemed to be interwoven in the cloth. She lay down and pulled the covers up to her chin. Tomorrow they would land in one of the creeks and she would make her way through the snow to Creek Cottage. At home in her old room she would forget all the strange and disturbing sensations that she had just experienced. Jay could do as he pleased, but she hoped for Mary’s sake that he would see his family comfortably ensconced in the manor house before the call of the sea enticed him away again. Even so, she had to admit that he was disturbingly attractive, and if she were to be honest she had enjoyed her time on board his ship far away from the reality of life on shore, but this brief interlude was almost over. Jay had said he loved her, and she had been tempted to believe him, but he probably said that to all the women who took his fancy. He might marry one day, Daisy supposed, but she pitied his poor wife.