‘Where are we?’

‘You’ll soon see.’ Jay led her up the steps so that they were under the vaulted ceiling supported by marble columns.

Daisy watched in amazement as he bent down and brushed away a pile of dead leaves to reveal a trap door, which opened after several tugs on an iron ring. A flight of stone steps led downwards, disappearing into the darkness.

‘Wait there a moment.’ Jay descended into the gloom and reappeared minutes later clutching a lighted lantern. ‘Give me your hand, Daisy. Mind how you go – the steps are slippery.’

‘Where does this lead?’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve been this way more times than I can count. You’ll be perfectly safe.’

She glanced over her shoulder and received a reassuring nod from Guppy. There was little alternative other than to put her trust in Jay once again and follow him into the unknown. To her surprise she felt a frisson of excitement as she held his hand and descended into an underground cavern. Guppy and Lewis followed close behind, although Daisy experienced a brief moment of panic when she heard the trap door close, and they were left with only the feeble beam of the lantern to light the way.

‘We’ll soon be warm and dry,’ Jay said cheerfully. ‘Light the other lantern, Guppy. We don’t want to be left in the dark if this one goes out.’ He led the way along a narrow brick-lined passage, his boots squelching in the mud. The smell of damp was masked by the odour of burning lamp oil. Water dripped from the roof, trickling like tears down the walls. Daisy was apprehensive but oddly comforted by Jay’s confident attitude. It was obvious that he knew where he was going, and the others seemed equally at home.

‘Is it much further?’ she asked breathlessly.

‘Feel the air,’ Jay said brusquely. ‘It’s getting fresher. Not far now.’

Almost as the words left his lips she could see a faint rectangle of light, which grew larger and larger until they emerged into a summerhouse that overlooked a snow-covered garden. The house beyond was instantly recognisable.

‘It’s the manor house.’ She grasped Jay’s arm. ‘Why have we come here? I think you owe me an explanation.’

‘It’s all part of my disreputable past. Let’s go inside and see if we can find Mrs Ralston. She’ll take care of you.’ He turned to Guppy and Lewis. ‘You know the drill by now. Enjoy your shore leave.’

‘Aye, aye, Captain.’ Guppy tipped his cap and winked. ‘Good day to you, miss.’

Lewis hesitated. ‘It was nice meeting you, miss.’

‘And you, Lewis,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘Thank you for looking after me on board.’

‘My pleasure, miss.’ Lewis bowed and backed away as if in the presence of royalty.

‘You’ve made a conquest there.’ Jay tucked Daisy’s hand in the crook of his arm. ‘Let’s go inside and see if I’m welcome.’

‘You’re master of the house now,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘You’re the lord of the manor and you don’t have to return to your old ways.’