‘I knew they would love it here,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘I hope it’s not too much work for you.’

‘It’s good to have nippers about the place again. It’s a big old house for just Dove and me.’

‘I’ve come to ask another favour.’ Daisy lowered her voice. ‘I need to go somewhere and I wondered if Billy, the stable boy at Creek Hall, could drive me there in Dr Neville’s trap.’

‘You’re going to call on the squire.’ Mrs Bee nodded with approval. ‘It’s time someone stood up to the old devil. He’s been making mischief round here for far too long.’

‘How did you know that?’

Mrs Bee chuckled. ‘I’m a witch. Didn’t Master Nick tell you that?’

‘He thinks the world of you, Mrs Bee.’

‘I used to tease him when he was a little boy. If he was naughty I’d tell him the witch would come and turn him into a frog. He thought I was talking about myself, but it did the trick. Although I have to say he was a good boy, most of the time, anyway.’

‘So is it all right if I take Billy and the trap?’

‘You go, my dear. Do whatever it is you have to do with my blessing.’

Hero was getting old and Billy was not an expert when it came to handling the reins, but eventually they arrived at Creek Manor. Daisy had been silently rehearsing what she would say to the squire, but as Billy drew the horse to a halt outside the front entrance Daisy began to have second thoughts. Her previous meetings with Esmond Tattersall had ended badly, and there was no guarantee of a successful outcome now.

‘Shall you get down, miss?’ Billy asked anxiously. ‘Do you want me to help you?’

‘No, thank you,’ Daisy said stiffly. ‘I can manage perfectly well.’ She cocked her head on one side. ‘Do you hear that?’

Billy craned his neck. ‘Someone’s coming and they’re riding hell for leather, if you’ll excuse the expression, miss.’

The words had barely left his lips when a horseman rounded the corner of the building at a breakneck speed. He reined in the animal, coming to a halt in a cloud of dust and flying gravel.

‘Daisy. What in the devil’s name are you doing here?’

‘I could say the same for you, Jay Fox. Are you mad?’

‘I don’t know what you think you can achieve, but I’m telling you it’s a waste of time.’ Jay leaned over to grab Hero’s bridle. ‘Turn back, Billy. Get Miss Marshall away from here as quickly as you can.’

Billy heaved at the reins but the startled horse reared and whinnied in fright. Daisy turned her head at the sound of shouts and running footsteps.

‘What have you done, Jay?’ she cried anxiously. ‘Did you steal that animal?’

‘I borrowed it,’ Jay said, grinning. ‘You have to get away, Daisy. The squire isn’t in a friendly mood, and I can’t stay to protect you.’