"Well I never.." If ever there were a man whose opinions or orders Lottie did not care for in the slightest, it was now Ben Ward. That man could take his edict, drop it into the deep part of the ocean, and practise fishing for it. Bill Blacke had at least earned the right for his opinion to be considered, before Lottie would decide what to do next herself.

"He's got no right to say that. Ye and she can see each other." Lottie said sharply. Yet, in her mind's eye, the memory of that man cuffing that poor child around the head replayed with terrible clarity. "But, we must be careful. We don't want Anne to get hurt. Her father has a temper. I love that poor dear as much as ye. I want to help her. What can we do?"