It was a sunny day with a definite hint of spring in the air, although there was a bite in the wind, demonstrating that winter had not entirely given up its icy grip. Not to be deterred, Daisy wrapped her shawl around the green velvet travelling gown she had worn when she visited the squire. ‘Isn’t that Nick’s horse?’ she asked as Jay handed her onto the driver’s seat of the trap.

‘Yes, it is. Nick asked me to see that the old fellow gets some exercise while he’s away.’ Jay shot her a sideways glance as he climbed up to sit beside her. ‘That’s the gown you wore to Creek Manor. That colour suits you. It complements your creamy complexion and emphasises your lovely eyes. I’ve always found dark-eyed women fascinating.’

Daisy stared at him in surprise. ‘I suppose that’s meant to be a compliment, or are you saying I’m like all the other women you’ve known with dark hair and eyes?’

Jay laughed and flicked the reins and the old horse ambled off towards the lane. ‘I’m not a lady’s man and never have been, but I can appreciate pretty things and I speak plainly. I might not be a gentleman, but I’m not an ignorant clod.’

‘Who said you were?’

‘I’ve been in prison, Daisy. I don’t pretend to be better than I am.’

‘What did you do?’

He chuckled. ‘I never got on with my father. I felt that he hated me at times, and I fell in with a bad crowd.’

‘But you didn’t go to prison for being a naughty boy.’

Jay threw back his head and laughed. ‘Naughty boy hardly describes me, Daisy. I got into fights, and I mixed with the wrong people. I’m not proud of my past.’

‘You were arrested for being in a fight?’

‘You might say that.’ He stared ahead, his gaze fixed on the road.

‘What happened?’

‘There was a brawl outside a pub in Maldon. I can’t remember what started it, but I joined in and I was the one who got caught. The squire was quick to make an example of me and I was sentenced to six months’ hard labour. I suppose that seems shameful to a lady like you.’

‘I’m not a lady. I was a governess until my employer’s son was sent to boarding school.’

‘You are a lady, and I’m someone you ought not to associate with.’

She turned to look at him, but he was intent on the road ahead. ‘Why not? How do you earn your living now, and who had beaten you so badly when we found you face down in the mud?’

‘You might say it was a difference of opinion between business associates.’ He met her curious gaze with a careless smile. ‘A disagreement between shipmasters.’

‘You own a ship?’

‘The Lazy Jane is a neat little schooner, and I’m her captain. The man who owns her gives us his instructions, and we carry them out. It’s as simple as that.’