Martha’s loyalties, however, were not divided. She adored her father and though the affection had never been mutual, she had spent the whole of her life trying to please him. Caleb Crowther had preyed on this weakness in his daughter. He preyed on it now. ‘Silas Trent deliberately went against my express wishes when he accepted Emma’s offer of a partnership in the Australian trading company,’ he told her in injured tones.

‘I know that, Father… and I did my utmost to prevent it.’ Martha was mortified for fear that he might hold her responsible. ‘That is the sole reason I refuse to acknowledge his letters… nor will I ever be persuaded to leave these shores at his request!’ She was desperate to pacify this man who, in her eyes, could do no wrong.

‘Ah!’ Caleb Crowther swung round from the window, where he had been looking out on a crisp, dry morning and churning over all manner of possibilities in his mind. One in particular, stimulated by Martha’s declaration, brought a devious smile to his face. ‘So… you will not leave these shores to please your husband, eh?’ he asked coyly, coming towards her and pausing before her chair, where he stooped in order to look directly into her brown-speckled eyes. ‘But will you leave these shores in order to please your old father, eh?’ He smiled a wicked and intimate smile that seemed to unnerve her momentarily.

‘What do you mean?’ She was obviously perplexed by his remark. She began stuttering, a characteristic that betrayed Martha’s insecurity where her father was concerned. ‘I… I don’t un… der… stand.’

‘Oh, it’s very clear, my dear. Apparently, your husband and my niece have once again joined forces… or so it would seem. It therefore follows that they must be up to something, don’t you think?’ When she appeared lost for words, but eagerly nodded, he went on, ‘I strongly suspect that those two would not hesitate to conspire against me. Do you agree?’

‘Yes, yes… they both would like to see you ruined, I’m certain of it.’

‘Then don’t you also agree that someone should be out there to keep an eye on them?… Someone who might naturally be amongst them without arousing suspicions, and therefore in a position to report everything back to me?’

‘How clever. Yes… yes. With the court case raising its head in the not-too-distant future, you need to be aware of what that vixen, Emma, is plotting against you.’ Still she did not suspect her father’s intention.

Caleb Crowther was pleased with himself. Stretching noisily, he smiled down at her and, keeping his eyes on her keen upturned face, he seated himself on the edge of the desk. What a fool you are, Martha my dear, he thought with repugnance. What a naive, addle-brained little fool! But useful to him at times. Like now, when he would plant a spy on his two unsuspecting enemies. A pair of eyes and ears, and an observer who would duly report back to him without question. ‘Have a sherry, my dear,’ he offered sweetly, ‘and then we must talk. I have a proposition to put to you, for I am sure that the last thing you would want to see is me and your poor mother in the debtors’ prison.’