Kate rose to her feet. ‘I’ll come right away.’ She turned to Jenny. ‘You’d best come with me.’ Kate followed the steward to the upper deck when she was amazed to see Harry Trader waiting for her with a burly seaman in attendance.

‘What is it, Harry?’ Kate demanded anxiously. ‘Why are you here, and how did you know that we were leaving today?’

‘I’d like a few words with the lady in private.’ Harry slipped a coin into the seaman’s hand.

‘Just a couple of minutes, sir. No more.’

Harry nodded. He took Kate by the arm and led her to the top of the gangplank. ‘Your father was taken ill in court, Kate.’

‘But he was all right this morning at breakfast,’ Kate protested. ‘Is this a ploy to make me abandon my trip?’

‘No, it isn’t. I know because I was there. One of my men was in the dock and your father was presiding over the case. He collapsed suddenly and was taken hospital. I don’t know any more than that, but I suggest you postpone your voyage.’

‘Is it serious?’

‘I’m not a medical man, but if I were you I wouldn’t want to take the chance.’

‘Has my mother been told?’

‘I went to Finsbury Square, intending to speak to you and I was told that you were en route to India. It wasn’t up to me to inform your mother of your father’s illness. You need to come home, Kate.’

She stared at him in dismay. It was obvious that he was telling the truth – Harry Trader had no reason to lie to her. Although, if she left the ship now she might never again have the courage to defy convention and the will of her parents. But her father might be dying and she could not leave her mother to cope on her own.

‘Of course, you’re right.’ Kate turned to Jenny, who was hovering anxiously a few feet away. ‘We’re leaving the ship.’

‘But our luggage, miss …’

Harry nodded to the seaman. ‘We need the ladies’ baggage to be put ashore immediately.’

Before the man could speak a uniformed officer strode up to them. ‘I heard what you said, sir. This is highly irregular.’

‘I’m sure it can’t be the first time that something similar has occurred. Please have Miss Martin’s luggage and that of her maid put ashore. Unfortunately, due to sudden and unexpected family illness, the ladies will not be sailing with you.’

‘If that is the case, please disembark now. We’re about to cast off.’ The officer jerked his head in the direction of the seaman. ‘See to the baggage, Robinson.’

‘Aye, aye, sir.’ Robinson hurried off, bellowing instructions at the top of his voice.