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took in your son for Jane’s sake but that lodging did not come free of charge. If you leave he will be recognised a Duke’s grandson, one day a Duke’s son, too, with a title of his own. Don’t you want that for him? For us all? And I catch you in Portsmouth and your ship has sailed. Come now.’
    I bit my tongue but I am sure my eyes flashed with fury.
    ‘Think on it,’ he said. ‘I have done what’s best for the boy.’
    And he returned to his work as I stalked away. He had a point, of course, God damn him. I knew he did.
    In my cabin, I placed Robert’s flower in a tiny glass of water on my bedside table. It was the brightest thing I owned by far.
    That night, after dinner, I took my life in my hands and crossed the deck to Robert’s cabin. The weather had become hotter and I was uncomfortable despite the breeze. My only sleeveless gown was of a pale eau de nil tulle. I coiled my hair in the French style to keep it off my shoulders. I had come to try for a peace. Some kind of resolution. Robert was right—there was no point in quarrelling so far from home though it was difficult to quell the anger in me. I paused a moment, took a deep breath and then knocked.
    ‘Come in.’
    Inside, lit by two oil lamps, Robert was surrounded by his books. He stuck stringently to his suits the whole voyage and was still wearing evening dress, having dined earlier with the captain. His face was dark from the sun and lines of paler skin showed at his wrists. If he was surprised to see me he showed no sign of it.
    ‘Mary,’ he said. ‘Can I offer you…’he gestured towards a decanter on the side table.
    I shook my head.
    ‘Robert,’ I started with my heart pounding, ‘I have come to ask you, where am I heading? You have kidnapped me and I don’t have a clue of your plans.’
    ‘I had no choice, Mary,’ he started his defence.
    My fingers quivered. I did not intend to fight with him—that would not get me what I wanted and I knew now that he would simply force me to do whatever he decided was best. Straining against my instincts, I stepped further into the room and shut the door behind me.
    ‘You were probably right,’ I conceded. ‘I had promisedto leave. Only that fellow Hunter recognised me. He threatened me and I walked off the ship. He wanted…relations I was not prepared to accord. And now, Robert, I merely want to know where I am going and when I might get there.’
    Robert shifted uncomfortably before he replied.
    ‘Oh, Mary. I had no idea that man had…’
    ‘It doesn’t matter,’ I said miserably. ‘You are right in that I intended to stay in England and I should not have done so.’
    I waited momentarily and Robert nodded, clearly deciding that I was at least rational.
    ‘The captain’s plan is to dock somewhere on the western side of the Indian continent but he told me he must consider weather conditions to the other side of Africa before he can be sure.’ Robert jerked his head to the left indicating the general direction of the land mass. ‘It is only then he will make his judgement where we will port.’
    ‘Will you leave me there?’ I asked plainly.
    My hands were still quivering.
    ‘We are bound for Hong Kong,’ he said quietly. ‘I have paid your passage.’
    The truth was, of course, that Robert did not trust me to stay in India. I can hardly blame him. Shortly after we embarked he amended his original plan. He discarded Calcutta and chose to take me somewhere remote that had the advantage of a less regular passage, as well as being a hub for his own voyage. His plan was to use Hong Kong as a rallying point at the end of his trip. He would therefore be able to check on me over time. It made sense now I thought of it.
    ‘I see,’ I said, hiding my surprise.
    ‘We have another eleven weeks or so. The current to the other side will bear us more swiftly.’
    I hung my head. I knew the currents around the African coastline only too well. I had to be practical and control myself.