‘The same as usual, thank you, miss.’ Linnet bobbed a curtsey and retreated to the kitchen.

Even with the door closed Daisy could hear her calling to Hattie. ‘Miss Daisy has come home, Hattie. Put the kettle on.’

Eleanora resumed her seat by the window. ‘Are you staying long, Daisy?’

‘No, Aunt. I’m sorry but I have to return to London tomorrow. I’ve been taken on as a probationer nurse at the London Hospital, and I had to ask permission to bring the Begg family to Little Creek. I expect Grace has told you what happened.’

‘Yes, she did. A terrible accident, but it was lucky for the children that you took them under your wing. You’re a good girl, Daisy, and you deserve to have the best in life. You could live in luxury if you change your mind and accept the squire’s proposal.’

‘Would you really see me married to a man who tried to blackmail me into accepting his offer of marriage?’

‘Well, if you put it like that, then no, of course not. But I don’t believe he would stoop so low. In fact, I think he must have said that in the heat of the moment. After all, he isn’t getting any younger and he needs an heir. You are a beautiful and talented young lady and if he receives a knighthood, you would become Lady Tattersall.’

Daisy gazed at her aunt in dismay. ‘I’m not that easily bought.’

‘I didn’t mean that, my dear. You take me too literally. I wish your uncle were here to persuade you.’

‘Where is he?’

‘Fishing, of course. I hardly see him these days. Not that I’m complaining. I find I have plenty to do with running the house and helping Grace with her good works.’

‘I’m so glad you’ve settled in so well, Aunt Eleanora.’ Daisy tried to sound positive, but it was obvious that her aunt and uncle had not taken the squire’s threats seriously. Then there was Jay, who said he was prepared to risk everything in an attempt to stop the squire from evicting his family. Daisy went to sit by the fire, staring into the flames as they licked around the glossy black coals. Perhaps her desire to get away from the squire’s advances had led her to act selfishly, leaving the people who had raised her so lovingly to face losing their home.

The rattle of teacups announced Linnet’s arrival with the tray and she placed it on the small table in front of Eleanora.

‘Thank you, Linnet. That will be all for now.

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Linnet slipped silently from the room.

‘Come and sit by me, Daisy. You can pour, because my hands are a bit rheumaticky today, but they’ll improve with the good weather. I want to hear every detail of your time in London.’

When her aunt retired upstairs to take her afternoon nap, Daisy took the opportunity of going for a walk along the river-bank. She hoped to have a few words with her uncle in private, if he could be distracted from fishing for long enough to have a sensible conversation. Aunt Eleanora seemed oblivious to the threat of losing Creek Cottage and Daisy needed to find out if her uncle was similarly deluded. Despite his previous bravado, Daisy knew that both he and her aunt were in awe of Squire Tattersall – that had been obvious from the outset – but Daisy could see him for what he was: a posturing bully, drunk with his own power, and so full of himself that he thought he could buy the affection of any woman he chose.