‘He won’t take no for an answer, and he threatened to evict my aunt and uncle from Creek Cottage if I didn’t reconsider his offer. Apparently the squire owns the freehold and the lease is due to expire later this year. Uncle Sidney didn’t realise the property was leasehold when he arranged to move to the country.’

‘This is all my fault,’ Nick said angrily. ‘I put you in this position, Daisy.’

She reached out to lay her hand on his as it rested on the table top. ‘No, I won’t allow that, Nick. It was my decision to get involved, and the problem of the lease would have come up sooner or later.’

‘Even so, I feel responsible for involving you with that man. It’s time someone put a stop to his cavalier treatment of his tenants.’

‘And rightly so,’ Daisy said vehemently. ‘He’s threatened the Fox family with eviction, too.’

‘It’s said in the village that Tattersall has a personal grudge against Lemuel Fox, although I don’t know the details and I don’t ask because it’s none of my business.’

‘It’s a small village. I dare say rumours spread like wildfire, even if they’re based on very little fact.’ Daisy sipped her tea thoughtfully. There was one person who would know how Lemuel had fallen foul of the squire: Mrs Bee was a fount of knowledge when it came to anything that had happened in Little Creek.

‘That’s true. Anyway, enough about the village and the squire. I’m very glad you’re in London, Daisy, whatever the reason. I hope we’ll be able to see more of each other, although I have to say I don’t get much free time. My superior is a hard taskmaster, and he expects me to be on call day and at night.’

‘But it’s only temporary,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘You’re not going to remain in Harley Street for ever.’

‘Certainly not. As soon as I’ve saved enough money I’ll be handing in my notice and heading back to Little Creek.’

‘The villagers need a doctor badly.’

Nick’s eyes twinkled. ‘And a qualified nurse?’

She returned the smile. ‘I suppose so. I haven’t had time to think about what I’ll do when I finish my training.’

‘I’ll need a nurse to help me run my practice, if I can run it at a profit. My father barely made a living, as I’ve discovered to my cost.’

‘Who knows what will happen?’ Daisy made an effort to sound casual. ‘Anyway, I won’t return to the village for a while yet. I’m hoping that the squire will take the hint when he discovers that I’ve returned to London. If he really wants to find a wife I’m sure there are plenty of young women far more eligible than I.’

‘But none so pretty or charming.’ Nick reached for a teacake. ‘Do have another. These are delicious, although not as good as the ones that Mrs Bee makes.’

A sudden commotion outside in the street made all the customers stop talking and some of them rushed to the window. A woman screamed.