‘You could receive the necessary treatment at Creek Hall, if you wish.’ Nick placed his bag on a chair at the bedside. ‘Or you could wait for your own doctor to examine you.’

‘Why are you here, Neville? You can’t have known about this.’ Esmond indicated his emaciated body with a feeble wave of his hand.

‘I came to pay off the interest on the loan you gave my father. It’s blood money, but I can repay you in full.’

‘Leave it on the table. I’ll take what I’m due.’

Daisy turned away. ‘I can’t bear to look at you. Anyone else in your situation would be shamed into refusing the money.’

‘Money can’t shame me, but it can buy me what I want.’ Esmond raised himself weakly on one elbow. ‘I will renew the lease on Creek Cottage, but only if you stay here and nurse me back to good health.’

‘I can’t do that,’ Daisy said, horrified. ‘I’m needed at Creek Hall.’

‘You’ll do as I ask, or your aunt and uncle will lose their home.’

Daisy turned to Nick. ‘He can’t do this, can he?’

‘I’m afraid he could, if he was so minded.’

‘But you need me at Creek Hall. I have patients there who rely on me.’

Nick drew her aside. ‘We haven’t had any new cases this week. Do what you must, Daisy. I’ll respect your decision.’

She returned to the squire’s beside, gazing down at him with contempt. ‘I will stay here and look after you, but in return I want you to sign the lease on Creek Cottage over to my aunt and uncle.’

A faint smile deepened the creases on Esmond Tattersall’s face. ‘You have my word.’

‘There’s another condition,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘You will formally acknowledge Jay Fox as your son.’

‘Never!’

‘Then I’ll return to Creek Hall with Dr Neville and you can take your chances.’

There was a moment of complete silence before Esmond sighed and nodded. ‘Very well. I agree to your terms.’

‘I want it in writing.’ Daisy stood firm, meeting his gaze with steel in her heart.

‘You can take my word as a gentleman.’

‘You are no gentleman, Squire.’ Daisy moved swiftly to a small escritoire at the far end of the room, and as she had hoped, found pen and paper. She sat down and drafted the document releasing the freehold of Creek Cottage to her aunt and uncle. When she was satisfied with the wording, she took it over to the squire’s bedside and read it to him. He added a barely legible signature, and fell back on the pillows with a groan.

‘You’ll stay now until the end.’ Esmond’s voice tailed off and he closed his eyes.

‘Yes, I will. I’ll keep my part of the bargain.’ Daisy turned to Nick and found him watching her with a worried frown. ‘I’ll be fine.’

‘Are you sure about this, Daisy?’

‘I am, but I’d be grateful if you would deliver this to my uncle on your way home.’ She handed him the folded sheet of paper. ‘He’ll know what to do.’