Billy struggled to gain control of the frightened horse. ‘The poor beast can’t go fast, miss. He’ll drop dead if I try to make him.’

‘Miss Marshall, I want a word with you.’

The sound of Esmond Tattersall’s voice booming across the carriage sweep made Daisy glance over her shoulder. She knew by the look on his face that her mission was futile.

Jay manoeuvred his mount to the side of the trap. ‘Stand up and I’ll lift you onto the saddle.’

‘I can’t.’

‘Do you want to spend the rest of the day fighting off Tattersall? Because he’s coming down the steps as I speak.’ Jay leaned over and grabbed her round the waist.

With a little help from Billy, Daisy found herself sharing the saddle with Jay, and suddenly they were off at speed and it was all she could do to catch her breath. She clung to the horse’s mane as they approached the gates but two groundsmen appeared as if from nowhere and started to close them. Jay urged the animal on and Daisy closed her eyes, fearing the worst.

‘It’s all right. We’re through.’

‘I do believe you’re enjoying this,’ Daisy said angrily. ‘Put me down, Jay. I’m not going far like this.’

He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Tattersall is mounting up and he obviously intends to give chase. We’ll beat him even with two of us on this beast. It’s his personal favourite.’

‘Have you lost your mind?’ Daisy gasped breathlessly. ‘Horse theft is a serious crime. Set me down and go on alone.’

‘Hold on. We’ll soon lose them.’

It took Daisy all her efforts simply to stay on the horse despite the fact that Jay’s arms were around her, but he was using the reins to guide the animal across fields and along narrow bridal paths. She had to duck her head constantly to avoid overhanging branches and she gave up trying to speak as the wind robbed her of breath. They rode through a thickly wooded area and suddenly they were out in the open and she recognised the cove where she had last seen Jay’s ship. And there was the Lazy Jane at anchor, bobbing gently up and down on the outgoing tide.

Jay drew the horse to a halt and leaped to the ground, and Daisy did not argue when he lifted her from the saddle. Her knees felt weak and every muscle in her body ached.

She slapped him on the arm. ‘You fool,’ she cried angrily. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

He held the reins, patting the horse’s neck. ‘I saved you from yourself, Daisy Marshall. Did you think you could get the better of Tattersall? Or were you going to appeal to his better nature? Because I can tell you he has none.’

‘You’ve put paid to any chance I had of coming to an amicable arrangement with him. You’ve stolen this poor horse and you’ve abducted me. These aren’t the actions of a sane man.’