With her uncle and aunt fully occupied, Daisy was free to concentrate on Jack. Three weeks after Jay’s unexpected return, they wrapped up warmly and set off on foot for Creek Hall. Jack was eager to see his brother and Daisy wanted to speak to Nick and find out if he had managed to raise the sum needed to save his home. Not that it had anything to do with her, but she could understand why he was so desperate to hold on to the house that had been in his family for generations. Her own life had been turned upside down by recent events, and she could understand his desire to cling to the past. She herself was still coming to terms with the reality of living in a small village without all the amenities that she had enjoyed in London.

‘We’re here,’ Jack cried, breaking her train of thought as he ran on ahead. ‘Hurry up, Miss Daisy.’

His youthful enthusiasm made her smile, and as she followed him from the shelter of the trees she had an uninterrupted view of Creek Hall and the saltings. The old building looked serene and mellow in the morning light, and the rampaging weeds in the overgrown garden added a romantic touch to the scene. It would grow out of hand in the spring, and by summer the house would be surrounded by a wilderness if unchecked, but today it might have been an illustration from a book of fairy stories. The saltings shimmered with the sunlight glinting on the pools of water left by the ebbing tide, and wading birds fished in the shallows.

‘There’s Jay.’ Jack pointed to the tall figure at the side of the house. Jay had been chopping wood, but he stopped mid-swing. Jack broke into a run and hurled himself at his brother, who caught him deftly and swung him off his feet.

‘Ouch!’ Jack cried. ‘That hurt.’

Daisy observed them from a safe distance. She did not know what to make of Jay Fox and she was wary of him. Whether or not he had a criminal past was not important, and Nick seemed to like him, but Jay was too sure of himself in her opinion.

He set Jack down with an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry, nipper. I forgot you were a wounded soldier.’

‘I see that you’re better.’ Daisy strolled up to them, and despite her misgivings she could not but be impressed by Jay’s remarkable recovery. In clean clothes that fitted him perfectly, he was taller than she remembered, broad-shouldered and good-looking in a rugged and slightly disturbing way. His mop of blond curly hair framed his face, but his square jaw and strong features looked anything but angelic, just as the twinkle in his speedwell-blue eyes held a hint of mischief and self-mockery.

‘I am back to my old self.’ Jay bowed from the waist. ‘I’m honoured that Miss Marshall has come to enquire about my health.’

‘She came with me,’ Jack said, puffing out his chest. ‘Daisy is my friend and she knew I wanted to see you.’