‘I’m sure he’s here somewhere,’ Sir Henry replied distractedly, sweeping his gaze over his guests. ‘But I’m afraid I’ve no idea what he’s come as. But I’ll keep an eye out for him, you may be certain of that.’ Then, pulling his golden mask back on, he plunged into the thick of the festivities.

Jack watched Sir Henry go, wondering why he was behaving somewhat strangely. He put it down to the stress of hosting such a lavish masked ball. Jack rejoined his friends near the banqueting table. ‘Has anyone spotted Sir Toby yet?’ he asked.

Signor Horatio shook his head. ‘No sign of the scoundrel, I’m afraid.’

Jack peered down the length of the hall. Masked dancers weaved in and out, performing an elaborate pavane, but none offered up a clue as to their real identity. Jack felt his frustration growing. Sir Toby had to be somewhere amid the guests – and, dare he hope, maybe even his sister was there too!

‘Perhaps we should spread out?’ suggested Akiko. But, before they could move, the musicians fell silent and the actors gathered on the stage for the play. The Queen of Sheba, resplendent in her jewelled gown, presented gifts to King Solomon as the players enacted their fabled romance before the hushed audience.

Rose whispered, ‘This ball must have cost Sir Henry a fortune!’

‘A fortune he doesn’t have, as far as I’m aware,’ muttered Signor Horatio.

Jack frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

Signor Horatio leant in and lowered his voice further. ‘It’s perhaps improper of me to talk ill of our host … but before I was forced to leave London, I heard that Sir Henry, having made some unwise investments over the years, had lost all his money.’

Akiko turned to the sword master. ‘So why is he putting on a masked ball if he has no money?’

‘For show, I presume,’ replied Signor Horatio. ‘He’s calculated that, by appearing to afford a lavish lifestyle such as this, he will convince his creditors that he’s a man of power and influence and good social standing and that, more importantly, he can repay his debts.’

‘Ah, but all that glitters is not gold,’ said Yori, wiping his finger through the fairy dust sprinkled on an extravagant floral arrangement.

‘Too true,’ replied Signor Horatio. ‘You can be as bankrupt as a beggar, but if you look rich and act rich, any fool will lend you money.’

‘Well, we had best enjoy his hospitality while we can,’ said Rose, selecting a crystallized date from the banqueting table and popping it into her mouth.

Jack now began to understand why Sir Henry was so desperate to send another expedition to the Japans. A lucrative trading mission would earn back his lost wealth and, with Sir Isaac willing to bankroll the voyage, Jack was his ticket to the Far East and the prospect of untold riches.