‘You could have refused.’

‘Yes, but I didn’t. I think I saw it as a challenge.’

Nick stopped outside a teashop and opened the door. ‘Let’s get out of the rain, and we can talk in comfort.’ He followed her into the steamy atmosphere redolent with the smell of hot coffee, tea and freshly baked buns. It was crowded with office workers and shoppers but they found a table near the window and they sat down.

Nick gave the friendly waitress an order for a pot of tea for two and toasted teacakes, and when she had bustled off, he relaxed visibly. ‘It’s so good to see you again, Daisy. I thought it might be several months before we met again.’

‘Well, I’m here now and I intend to make the most of it. I’ll work hard and study at night.’

A wry smile curved Nick’s generous lips. ‘You might find you’re too tired to read medical books after a long day on the wards, but I can see that you’re determined.’

Daisy sat back as the waitress delivered their order. Without thinking Daisy picked up the teapot and filled their cups, passing one to Nick. ‘That’s enough about me. Tell me about your practice in Harley Street.’

‘It’s not my practice. I don’t know what Toby has been telling you, but I’m a very junior partner. It’s interesting, but the only difference between our patients and those at the hospital is that ours are wealthy enough to pay handsomely for their treatment. It’s not what I saw myself doing when I was studying medicine.’

Daisy eyed him curiously. ‘You almost sound as if you wish you were back at your father’s old practice in Little Creek.’

‘I do, Daisy. That’s exactly how I feel. If I didn’t have this debt hanging over me I would go home and carry on exactly as my father did, but until I’ve paid Tattersall the money he claims I owe him, I’ll have to remain in London.’

‘That man has a lot to answer for,’ Daisy said bitterly. She sensed that Nick was staring at her and she looked up from stirring her tea. ‘What?’

‘I knew there was more behind your sudden departure from home.’ He leaned across the table. ‘And it has something to do with Tattersall. Don’t deny it, because I can see it’s true by your expression. You would make a terrible poker player, Daisy.’

‘It seems that I made quite an impression on Squire Tattersall when I tried to convince him that I was heiress to a fortune.’

Nick’s eyes narrowed. ‘Go on.’

‘He invited my aunt and uncle and myself to dine at the manor house, and he asked me to marry him. Totally out of the blue, I might add. I couldn’t have been more shocked or surprised.’ Daisy selected a teacake and cut it in half, avoiding meeting Nick’s gaze.

‘You put him in his place, I hope.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘That’s not all, though. I can tell. There’s something else.’