Mrs Harker greeted her with a warm smile as she stepped over the threshold, followed by the colonel, who appeared to be more subdued when in his wife’s company.

‘My husband tells me that you are Miss Marshall.’ She grasped Daisy’s hand and held it to her cheek. ‘My girls have spoken so warmly of you that I feel I know you already.’ She glanced over her shoulder and her tone changed. ‘Roland, close the door. You’re letting in the cold air and there are sick people here.’ She tucked her gloved hand in the crook of Daisy’s arm. ‘We’ve come to thank you for saving our daughters’ lives and to make a donation to this little hospital, which is so badly needed by the people of Little Creek.’

Daisy could hardly believe her ears. She led their prospective benefactress to the drawing room where a log fire blazed up the chimney. ‘Dr Neville might be a while. He had two visits to make, and I never know how long they’ll take.’

Mrs Harker settled herself gracefully on the sofa and began to peel off her gloves. ‘Do sit down, Roland. You’re making the place untidy.’

Daisy kept a straight face with difficulty. She wondered how the colonel’s men would react if they could hear the way his petite and attractive wife spoke to him. She treated him as if he were a small boy, and maybe that’s what he was beneath the bluster.

‘Very well, my dear, but perhaps we ought to go home and return at a more convenient time.’

‘Certainly not. I want to talk to Miss Marshall.’

‘I’ll take a stroll in the grounds.’ Colonel Harker marched out of the room, closing the door with enough force to emphasise his bad mood.

‘My husband is at a loss when it comes to drawing-room manners,’ Mrs Harker said, smiling. ‘He is much more at ease on the parade ground. But tell me about yourself, Miss Marshall. What is a young lady like you doing in a backwater like Little Creek?’

‘Much the same as yourself, I imagine, ma’am. I grew up in London, but I’ve come to love the village and its surroundings. I’ve seen your beautiful home, so I imagine you love it here, too.’

‘Yes, I do. When my husband retires from the army it is my ambition to live the rest of my days in Four Winds. Which is why I think it’s important for Dr Neville to keep this hospital open for the continuing benefit of all the village, rich and poor.’ She opened her reticule and took out a slip of paper, which she handed to Daisy. ‘I think this will help.’

Daisy scanned the banker’s draft and she could hardly believe her eyes. ‘This is most generous, Mrs Harker. Dr Neville will be delighted, and I can’t thank you enough.’

They chatted for a while, but there was no sign of Nick, and the colonel kept peering through the window and tapping on the glass, waving his pocket watch at his wife. After several such interruptions Mrs Harker decided it was time to leave, but she promised to set up a committee amongst her wealthy friends and acquaintances in order to raise funds to support the hospital. Daisy was overcome by the sudden turn of events and she could barely wait to pass on the good news to Nick. There was, she calculated, enough money to pay off the interest demanded by the squire, with enough left over to keep the hospital running for the next few months.