She shivered, experiencing a sudden chill, and she tucked her hands into the blanket that he had thoughtfully wrapped around her knees. ‘Tell me about your ship.’

‘She’s small and fast, and the goods we trade in are much in demand locally.’

‘Do you mean contraband? I thought smuggling had died out in the last century.’

‘There are always men eager to make money in any way they can. I transport goods for the ship owner, and sometimes people. We land in the quiet inlets of the Blackwater or the River Crouch. I don’t ask questions.’

‘But something must have gone wrong for you to be beaten so viciously.’

‘An altercation with a rival,’ he said casually. ‘They’re a gang working out of Burnham-on-Crouch. They pose as fishermen, but it’s a guise to cover up their criminal activities.’

‘And what were you doing on the Lazy Jane?’

‘It just so happens that we were minding our own business and making for shelter in a storm when we ran aground. They’d been after us since we sailed into the estuary, but I thought they’d given up. In hindsight I realise that wasn’t the case.’

‘But you were attacked near home.’

‘It was pitch-dark and there was nothing to be done until morning, so I left my crew on board and set off to see my family. I had a pouch of money to give my mother, but I must have been followed. I was set upon and I don’t remember anything until you found me in the water.’

‘I suppose they stole the money.’

‘They must have landed further upriver and the light of my lantern probably gave me away. They knew I would be carrying money and they were determined to get their hands on it.’

‘Is it worth risking your life for so little?’

‘It’s all I know, Daisy. I’ve been at sea since I was thirteen; that’s nigh on ten years, and there’s precious little for me to do on shore.’

‘There must be some gainful employment you could undertake,’ Daisy said, frowning.

‘I’m a wanderer, Daisy. I don’t know that I could ever settle down for long on land.’

‘Never? You might change your mind one day.’

‘Wait until you see the Lazy Jane and perhaps you’ll understand. She’s beached in a secluded spot and my crew are working on her, or at least that’s what they’re supposed to be doing. I’m going to check on them now.’

‘I thought we were going to the fair.’

‘We’ll do that afterwards. I want you to see my boat. I trust you, Daisy. No one else knows of her whereabouts, or even how I earn my living.’

‘Not even Nick?’

‘He’s the exception, but he doesn’t know the exact location of my craft. I wouldn’t put him in that position.’

‘And yet you’re willing to take me there? Why?’

His smile faded. ‘I want you to see the boat, it’s as simple as that.’

‘Aren’t you afraid that I might report you to the authorities?’