‘And I thought she came to see me.’ Jay put his head on one side, his amused gaze a challenge.

‘Is Dr Neville at home?’ Daisy had the sudden urge to put Jay Fox in his place. He was obviously sure of himself when it came to dealing with women, but she was not so easily won over.

‘Yes, I want to see him, too,’ Jack added excitedly. ‘He mended my arm, Jay. I can use it a bit now.’ He shot a sideways glance at Daisy. ‘But I’m not well enough to go back to school.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ Daisy said, making an effort to look stern.

‘He’s in the stable, saddling up.’ Jay jerked his head in the direction of the outbuildings at the rear of the house, and Jack raced off. ‘You’re not going to join them then, Miss Marshall?’

Daisy chose to ignore the inference that she had come to see Nick. ‘You look as if you’re fully recovered. Have you remembered what happened and how you came to be in such a state?’

He picked up the axe. ‘Not entirely. It’s a bit of a blur, but I’m recovered now.’

‘I expect your parents will be pleased to see you.’

‘They know I’m here. Nick called in to make sure they were all right and he told them.’ He raised the axe and brought it down on the log, splitting it in two. ‘I plan to go there today.’

Daisy glanced over his shoulder and saw Nick hurrying towards them with Jack close on his heels. The smile froze on her lips when she met his troubled gaze. ‘Is anything wrong?’

He came to a halt. ‘It’s good to see you, Daisy, but I can’t stop.’

‘Where are you going?’ Jay demanded, throwing down the axe. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘I’ve just received a letter from Squire Tattersall’s solicitor. It’s not good news, Jay.’ Nick turned to Daisy with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry, Daisy. I have to leave right away.’

Jay laid his hand on Nick’s arm. ‘Why? What’s so urgent?’

‘I intend to have it out with the squire, face to face. That man is determined to get his hands on Creek Hall, no matter what, but he’s reckoned without me.’ Nick tossed a crumpled sheet of writing paper at Jay and it fluttered to the ground at Daisy’s feet.

‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ She bent down to retrieve it but Jay snatched it from her as Nick strode back towards the stables.

Jay smoothed the paper and studied it for a long moment. ‘The bastard,’ he said angrily. He shot her a sideways glance. ‘I suppose I should apologise for using such language in front of a lady, but I’m no gentleman, as you’ll discover when you get to know me better.’

‘What does it say?’

‘That man should be shot.’ He handed her the letter. ‘Read this and see if you don’t agree.’

Chapter Eight

Daisy studied the formal language used by the lawyer and she shook her head. ‘I don’t understand. What gives Squire Tattersall the right to send this sort of letter?’