‘That’s ridiculous. No one would expect that of you, and they love you as if you were their own child.’

‘I know, which makes it even more important that I don’t do anything to jeopardise their future. The squire will find some other unfortunate woman to marry him, and I suppose in some ways he is a good catch. He’s rich and powerful and that would be enough for some women.’

‘But not for you?’

She smiled reluctantly. ‘No, definitely not for me.’

‘Perhaps you have someone in mind?’ Toby put his head on one side. ‘Would Nick have anything to do with your decision to take up nursing?’

‘No, not really. Although I can see how badly the people of Little Creek need a doctor, or even a qualified nurse and midwife. It was quite by chance that I arrived at the hospital looking for you and found myself amongst the applicants for nurse probationer.’

‘At least I’ll be able to keep an eye on you,’ Toby said, grinning.

‘That’s funny, coming from someone who was constantly being reprimanded for flouting the rules in the medical school.’

‘Rules are made to be broken. That’s always been my excuse, but it doesn’t apply to young ladies like yourself. I’ll spread the word that you are my sister and must be treated with the greatest respect.’

Daisy rolled her eyes and was about to comment when the door opened and the largest tabby cat that she had ever seen prowled into the room, his tail held erect and twitching irritably. Mrs Wood came in next, carrying a tea tray, which she placed on a small table in the window.

‘You’ll have to move up, Miss Marshall. You’re sitting in Rex’s place.’

Daisy took one look at the cat, who was preparing to spring, and she did not argue. Rex leaped with the grace of a tiger, landing beside her and he proceeded to turn in tight circles until he sank down with an almost human sigh.

‘You may stroke him, Miss Marshall.’

It was an order rather than a request and Daisy raised her hand slowly, touching the thick fur as lightly as she could. Rex turned his head, glaring at her with malevolent yellow eyes and hissed. She withdrew her hand quickly. ‘I don’t think he likes me.’

‘Rex takes time to get used to new faces. He’ll be fine when he gets to know you. Rex is a good judge of character.’

Daisy could sense Toby’s amusement and she did not dare raise her eyes to meet his, focusing instead on the slices of cake laid out on a china plate. ‘That looks delicious, Mrs Wood.’

‘Don’t expect this every evening,’ Mrs Wood said grimly, but her expression changed as she turned to Toby. ‘I have the miseries in my back, Doctor. Perhaps you could give me something to ease the pain?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t prescribe outside the hospital, Mrs Wood. But if you would like to attend the outpatient department, I’m sure someone better qualified than I would be able to help you.’