‘That’s my mother when she was young,’ Nick said proudly.

‘She was beautiful.’

‘Yes, and she loved Creek Hall. I owe it to my parents to keep the house in the family, and that’s what I intend to do.’

‘You won’t get anywhere with the squire with polite talk,’ Jay said thoughtfully. ‘I could round up some of my crew and scare the old tyrant rigid.’

‘Has your memory come back?’ Daisy turned to give Jay a searching look. ‘You said you didn’t know how you came to be in such a state when we found you. Do you remember now?’

‘We’re not talking about me. We’re supposed to be helping Nick.’

Nick gazed up at his mother’s portrait. ‘I’m not going to let that man take Creek Hall from me. Unless either of you has a better idea, I’m going to ride over to Creek Manor and demand to have it out with him, face to face.’

‘Why do you think he wants to ruin your family, Nick?’ Daisy said gently. ‘Your father did so much good for the local people, and I suspect you would continue his work, given half a chance.’

‘My maternal grandfather was rector here before Mr Peabody, and my mother was his only child. She kept house for him after her mother died and the squire paid court to her, but she rejected him in favour of my father. I don’t think the squire ever got over it and I’m quite certain that’s the reason why he’s gone out of his way to ruin my family.’

‘That’s awful,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘But if that’s the case he’s unlikely to accept any offer you might make.’

‘She’s right.’ Jay fisted his hands. ‘There’s only one thing a man like him understands.’

‘Violence isn’t the answer,’ Nick said hastily. ‘And you’d end up in court. I don’t know what shady business you’ve been involved in, Jay, but I don’t want you taking risks on my behalf.’

Daisy held up her hand. ‘Might I speak? I have an idea, but it means that you have to trust me, and you won’t be riding over to Creek Manor today.’

Daisy was up half the night preparing her story so that the squire could not catch her out on even the smallest detail. It had been difficult to persuade Nick that her plan would work, and even harder to convince Jay, who was against it from the start. Next morning Daisy put on her green velvet travelling gown, a cast-off of Mrs Carrington’s, who had taken a dislike to the outfit when her husband had told her she looked like a peapod about to burst. Wrapped in Aunt Eleanora’s fur-lined cape, Daisy waited anxiously for her transport to arrive. She felt a little bit like Cinderella about to attend the ball that would change her life for ever, only it was Nick’s future that depended upon her plan taking shape.

Linnet rushed into the front parlour, her cheeks pink with excitement. ‘He’s here, miss. We’re really going to do this.’