All too soon it was time to brave the cold again. Daisy hugged Grace and thanked her for all she had done, and she was bold enough to plant a kiss on John Peabody’s thin cheek, while Jay thanked him once again and shook hands. Despite Grace and John pleading with them to stay at Creek Cottage until the weather improved, Daisy was adamant: a promise to the children was binding, and tomorrow was Christmas Day.

The journey home was a struggle against wind and tide, with waves lapping over the gunwales, and Daisy huddled in the stern wrapped in the cloak with a strip of tarpaulin around her shoulders to protect her from the spray. It took the combined efforts of Jay, Clem and Guppy to get them back to the creek where the Lazy Jane was at anchor, but finally, after nearly three hours of hard rowing, they managed to beach the boat and clamber ashore, stiff and cramped with frozen limbs and hands. Jay insisted that Ramsden and Guppy must accompany them to the manor house, and they made their way through the tunnel to the summerhouse, and emerged in the snow-covered garden.

‘I should go home and let Ma know I’m safe.’ Guppy eyed Ramsden, as if expecting him to make a joke of his concern for his aged mother.

‘Come inside first and get warm,’ Jay said hastily. ‘Have a bite to eat and a glass of hot toddy to keep the cold out.’

Ramsden slapped Guppy on the back. ‘Another hour or so ain’t going to make much difference, mate. A good stiff drink will put feathers on your chest.’

Daisy slipped her hand into the crook of Jay’s arm. ‘You must carry me across the threshold, Jay. It’s the custom.’

‘I have it all planned. My mother gave me instructions before I left.’

‘Get your wife indoors, Cap’n, afore she freezes to death,’ Ramsden said, grinning.

‘We ought to enter by the front door.’ Jay raised Daisy’s hand to his chilled lips. ‘But we’d have to fight our way through six-foot drifts to get there, so I’m afraid we’ll have to use the tradesmen’s entrance.’

‘I don’t care, Jay. Let’s get inside as quickly as possible. I can’t feel my feet.’

They trudged through the knee-deep snow and finally made it to the rear of the house where Ramsden and Guppy had already alerted the kitchen servants. Judy was the first to greet them and she came running down the passageway, stopping to cover her mouth with her hands as Jay lifted Daisy in his arms and carried her across the threshold.

‘Oh, my!’ Judy breathed. ‘That’s so romantic.’

Hilda was not far behind her and she clutched her hands to her bosom. ‘You’re married. You did it, sir.’

‘I did, Hilda. But I’ve promised my wife that we’ll have another ceremony in the spring, so that everyone can be part of the proceedings.’ He set Daisy down on her feet. ‘We’re in desperate need of food and something hot to drink. Will you take care of my men?’