‘I’m sure he’s done that already. My uncle ran the family business for years, so I’m certain that he’ll have gone into everything very carefully.’

‘I do hope so, because the squire will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He’s driving his tenants out of their homes for no better reason other than they spoil his view, and I suspect that’s why he wants Creek Cottage.’

‘That man is an out-and-out villain.’

Nick tucked the banker’s draft into his breast pocket. ‘So you’ll come with me to Creek Manor? Or are you afraid to face him, Daisy?’

Chapter Twenty-One

A bitter east wind rampaged over the saltings, churning the waters of the creek into a boiling cauldron. Frost sparkled on the grass and coated the remaining leaves on the trees with silver. Birds pecked hungrily at the berries and rosehips in the hedgerows, seemingly oblivious to the sound of Hero’s hoofs on the hard ground or the rumble of the vehicle’s wheels as the trap bounced over ruts in the frozen mud. Daisy sat beside Nick on the driver’s seat, wrapped up against the cold in her fur-lined cape. Mrs Bee had insisted on giving her a hot brick wrapped in a towel, but after twenty minutes it had grown cold and she placed it in the well beneath her feet. She was not looking forward to meeting the squire again. He had not bothered her during the cholera outbreak, but she suspected that was more from cowardice than any finer feelings on his part. Of one thing she was certain – the squire did not like to be crossed and he did not give up easily.

‘We’re almost there.’ Nick gave her a sideways glance. ‘Are you all right, Daisy?’

‘Yes,’ she lied. ‘I’m here to support you against the squire.’

‘We’ll stand together. He’s a bully and he needs to be shown that he can’t always get what he wants.’

‘I just wish that he would do something for Jay. It’s breaking his mother’s heart to think she might never see him again.’

‘I suppose miracles do happen occasionally.’ Nick reined in as they approached the closed gates and a man rushed out of the gatehouse.

‘What’s your business here, mister?’

‘I’m Dr Neville …’ Nick had barely uttered the words when the gatekeeper pulled back the bolts and motioned him to drive on.

‘You was sent for two hours ago,’ the man said grimly. ‘Let’s hope you’re not too late. I can’t afford to lose me job.’

‘What did he mean?’ Daisy asked urgently.

‘I don’t know. I’m not Squire Tattersall’s doctor. He wouldn’t put his trust in someone from Little Creek.’ He flicked the reins. ‘Walk on, Hero.’

As if to add to the sense of urgency, the main door was already open as they drew up at the foot of the steps and Molesworth rushed out to meet them.

‘We sent for Dr Phipps.’

‘I don’t know anything about that,’ Nick said calmly. ‘I am a doctor, but I came to see the squire on a private matter.’