The Wife's Dilemma Paperback

Liverpool. January 1881
Jack’s due back … and Nell is waiting. She’s dreamt of this moment for a long time.

Nine years after their plan was hatched, Master Mariner Jack Riley is ready to take control of his own ship. And Nell is preparing to travel with him.

Counting down the days until he gets home, she longs to see America … and nobody is going to stop her. Not her two young daughters … and especially not her sister, Maria.

But when tragedy strikes, her world is thrown into turmoil.

As she comes to terms with her new future, she’s given the chance to pursue her dreams.

Should she follow her heart … or submit to the norms expected of her in Victorian-era, England?

Liverpool, February 1881


An icy blast swept through the bedroom before the front door slammed shut. Nell jumped to her feet, pushing the letter she’d been reading into her apron pocket and yanking the drapes across the gap that had given her some daylight. She rubbed her hands over her face and gazed at the double bed to her right where her young daughter Elenor was taking her afternoon nap, her mousy hair fanning out on the pillow. She was going to miss her. And Leah. Her smile faded as she moved to the cot at the foot of the bed and ran a hand across the dark hair of her baby. At least she would be oblivious to her absence. One day they’ll understand. 


She crept from the room and pulled the door closed behind her.


“Are they asleep?” Her sister Maria glanced up the stairs as she hung her coat on a hook in the hall. 


“They are.” 


Maria was stoking the fire in the living room when Nell joined her. 


“Let me bring the water back to the boil and we can sit down. It won’t take a minute.” She picked up the battered copper kettle and stepped into the kitchen that was off the back corner of the room. “Do you want a scone?” 


“I’ll get it.” Maria disappeared into the pantry, returning a moment later with a cake tin. “What have you got to look so pleased about?”


Nell busied herself with the teapot. “Is it obvious?”


Maria rolled her eyes. “I’ve not been gone more than half an hour and your face has gone from one of misery to having a grin from ear to ear.”


Nell chuckled. “I’ve had some news, but promise you won’t put a dampener on things.”
“

Why would I…?” A frown clouded Maria’s face. “Is this anything to do with Jack?”


“It might be.” Nell cut two home-made scones in half and carried them through to the living room. “He’ll be home on Monday.”


“How do you know that?” The lines in Maria’s forehead creased. “And why would it make you so happy? It’s hardly an unusual occurrence.”


“A letter came while you were out.” She disappeared back into the kitchen. “He posted it when he arrived in Boston and said the mail ship was leaving port three days before he sailed. That means I can expect him three days after it arrived, which is Monday.”


“That still doesn’t explain why you’re so happy.” 


Nell’s smile faltered and she took a deep breath. “He’s going to captain his own ship for the next voyage.”


“About time too.” Maria’s face was straight as she took a seat by the fire. 


“Don’t be like that. You know how hard he’s worked these last nine years to pass his exams, but getting a master mariner certificate doesn’t automatically mean he can take charge of a ship. Anyway, there’s more to it than that…” Nell’s heart raced as she took the seat opposite Maria, spread a thick layer of butter onto the scones and handed one to her sister. “He’s taking me with him on his first voyage. To America. Can you believe it?”