‘You’re new here,’ Jay said slowly. ‘If you’d been born and bred in the village you’d know that the squire owns most of the land on both sides of the creek. The missing piece is Creek Hall and what’s left of the estate, which isn’t much. The old doctor was forced to sell it off piece by piece, so Nick told me last evening at dinner. The squire put up rents and refused to make any improvements on the properties, no doubt hoping that the tenants would move on.’

‘But where would they go?’

‘That’s the point! The villagers have no choice. They either stay in damp, dilapidated housing or they’re out on the streets, or in the workhouse. The squire doesn’t care – he just wants the land and power.’

‘And now he’s demanding payment of this exorbitant sum or he’ll send the bailiffs in and foreclose on a loan he made to Nick’s father.’ Daisy folded the piece of paper and handed it back to him. ‘That’s terrible.’

‘I’m going with him. I’ve had many a run-in with the squire and I know how to handle him.’ Jay ruffled Jack’s hair. ‘You stay with Miss Daisy and see her safely home.’ He hurried after Nick and Jack followed him.

‘Wait for me.’ Daisy picked up her skirts and ran. She caught up with them in the stable yard where Nick was about to mount his horse.

‘You can’t do this on your own, Nick,’ Jay protested. ‘The squire will have you thrown out before you have a chance to put your case.’

‘Jay’s right,’ Daisy said breathlessly. ‘You might make matters worse.’

‘The squire is determined to have Creek Hall and what’s left of the estate,’ Nick said angrily. ‘How much worse can it be?’

Nick’s distress was plain to see and Daisy laid her hand on his arm. ‘Couldn’t your aunt help?’

‘Yes, but as you can see from the letter, which I assume you’ve both read, the squire has added interest on to the original loan. If only my father had confided in me I’d have left medical school and found work.’

‘The old doctor must have been desperate,’ Jay said, frowning thoughtfully. ‘But Daisy is right, you can’t go in there all guns blazing. That’s something I might do, but it’s not how you would normally act, Nick.’

‘I have an idea.’ Daisy stroked the horse’s muzzle. ‘I’ve listened to business talk amongst Mr Carrington’s friends and acquaintances. They speak freely in front of a governess. I might as well have been invisible.’

Nick eyed her warily. ‘What have you in mind?’

‘Let’s go indoors. I’m sure Jack wants to see his sister and Mrs Bee. We can talk over a cup of tea.’

‘I appreciate your concern, but I have to go right away.’

‘Listen to her, Nick,’ Jay said urgently. ‘You can’t afford to make a mistake now – not with the fate of Creek Hall at stake.’

‘Fifteen minutes,’ Nick said grudgingly. ‘I’ll listen to what you have to say, Daisy, but time is short. According to this letter I have only days to come up with the extra money, and it’s just not possible.’ He beckoned to the stable boy. ‘Hold the reins. I won’t be long.’