‘Can you hear me, Squire?’ She plumped up his pillows, giving him a gentle shake.

He opened his eyes and was immediately alert. ‘What do you want, woman?’

‘You know that the end is very near.’

A wry smile curved his lips. ‘I’m going to meet my maker. This isn’t how I planned to get you into my bedroom, Daisy.’

‘I’m giving you a chance to right a wrong you did to a much better woman than I will ever be.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Yes, you do, and Mary is here now. Will you do the right thing by her and her son – your son?’

‘Do I have a choice?’ he asked weakly. ‘You have taken my place as the one who is in command, Daisy. I knew you were a woman after my own heart.’

She nodded. ‘I’ve sent for the vicar.’

‘So be it. I suppose I could do one good thing before I die.’

‘I’ll go and tell Mary. She’ll argue, but I want you to promise one more thing.’

‘You would harass a dying man?’ His brown eyes glinted with amusement even though it was obvious his strength was failing.

‘Make Jay your heir. As I see it you have no one closer to you than your only son.’

‘And what do you get out of this? Are you aiming to become mistress of Creek Manor? What would you do if I insisted on marrying you instead?’

‘I’ll walk away and leave you. I’m not doing this for myself, strange as it may seem to you.’

He closed his eyes. ‘Leave me in peace, you harpy. Do what you will.’

Mary listened in silence, but her eyes widened and filled with tears when Daisy finished speaking. ‘I can’t,’ she whispered. ‘It’s not right. He’s a dying man; he doesn’t know what he’s doing.’

‘He’s more sensible at this moment than at any time since I’ve known him. I think he really wants to make reparation to you and to Jay. Would you deny your son the chance to inherit all this?’

‘I can’t speak for Jay. I don’t even know where he is.’

‘I know him well enough to say that he would want what’s best for you, and if you marry the squire now, as you should have done all those years ago, then you will become mistress of Creek Manor.’

‘But it seems wrong to take advantage of a dying man.’

‘He didn’t stop to question his conscience before he took advantage of you, Mary. Allow him to atone for the wrong he did you and the child you bore him.’ Daisy rose from the chair by the fire. ‘The vicar should arrive soon, but you must do what you feel is right. I’m not saying any more. It’s up to you.’

Daisy returned to the squire’s bedside and sat with him until Mr Peabody rushed into the room. ‘I am sorry I took so long, Squire.’ He glanced at the inert figure in the bed and then at Daisy. ‘Am I too late?’