Hilda was about to protest, but Judy had already skipped on ahead. ‘You ride, Ma,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘I want to see the fish.’

‘Me, too.’ Molly ran after her.

‘See what you’ve started, Sidney.’ Eleanora wagged her finger at him, but her husband merely smiled as he handed her into the carriage.

‘The children need to wear off some of their youthful high spirits, my dear, and I enjoy a bit of exercise.’ He held his hand out to Hilda.

‘Thank you, sir. But you will make sure the girls don’t fall in, won’t you? Their dresses are new and they cost a pretty penny. Daisy paid for them herself.’

‘Let the girls enjoy themselves,’ Daisy said, chuckling. ‘They’ve played their part today and behaved perfectly in church.’ She moved closer to Jay, slipping her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘Let’s go home.’

He brushed her lips with a kiss. ‘Drive on, Fuller. We have guests to entertain.’

‘Who would have thought that Creek Manor would one day play host to the whole village?’ Mary Tattersall edged into the corner of the seat to make room for Hilda and Eleanora. ‘If you’d told me that when I was a girl, I’d never have believed it.’

Eleanora turned her head away. ‘We were in London then. Sometimes I wish we’d stayed in Whitechapel.’

‘Surely not, Aunt,’ Daisy said anxiously. ‘Would you really prefer to live above the shop than here in Little Creek? You have a comfortable cottage, and it’s all yours.’

‘I suppose so.’ Eleanora uttered a loud sigh. ‘But I miss the hustle and bustle of the city, and the shops.’

‘Some people are never satisfied,’ Mary said darkly. ‘If you’d suffered the hardships I’ve had to endure you’d be grateful for what you’ve got, Mrs Marshall.’

‘I’m sure we count ourselves very fortunate to have come to such a delightful part of the country.’ Daisy spoke before her aunt had a chance to argue. ‘I love Little Creek and I’m more than happy to live in Creek Manor.’ She held Jay’s arm a little tighter. ‘I am the luckiest woman in the world to have such a wonderful husband and family. I couldn’t ask for more.’

‘My sentiments exactly,’ Jay said, smiling. ‘I’m married to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, and we have everything we could possibly want, so let’s not spoil the day with petty arguments.’

‘I’m sure I wouldn’t want to be a wet blanket.’ Eleanora shot a wary glance in Mary’s direction.

Mary nodded and managed a tight little smile. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you, Mrs Marshall. It’s just that I’ve been the subject of unkind gossip for so many years that I sometimes speak out of turn.’

‘Quite so, and as we’re related by marriage I think it only proper that you call me Eleanora. We must support each other, Mary.’

Daisy leaned against Jay, inhaling the masculine scent that was his alone. She felt at this moment as though her heart would burst with happiness, and the sun was shining. It was a perfect spring day.