‘Yes, they’re good lads, and they haven’t had any bother.’

‘Do you really enjoy living like this?’ Daisy looked him in the eye. ‘Don’t you sometimes wish that you had a more peaceful existence?’

‘No. I love every minute of it.’

‘Even after the beating you took?’

‘If I hadn’t ended up face down in the mud I might never have met you, Daisy.’

She turned away, aware that she was blushing. ‘You might have died in that icy water.’

‘I’m still here and that’s all that matters.’ Jay patted Hero’s neck. ‘I’m done here. Shall we go to the fair?’

It took over an hour to drive to the fairground and Jay handed Hero’s reins to a small ragged boy, who promised to watch over the horse and trap, although Daisy suspected that the child would pocket the money Jay had given him and disappear the moment their backs were turned. Jay, on the other hand, appeared to be supremely confident and carefree as he guided her through the crowds of people, who were there to enjoy themselves. All around them there was the sound of chatter, laughter and throaty music from a Dutch organ. Stall holders shouted their wares and children raced around shrieking with excitement. Daisy wondered why they were not in school, but it was none of her business – today she was determined to forget her problems and delight in her new-found freedom, even if it was only temporary.

Jay was an amusing companion and they wandered round the fairground, visiting each stall in turn. They tossed wooden hoops in an attempt to win the rather ugly ornaments, and shied balls at coconuts. They ate mutton pies as they strolled, something that Aunt Eleanora would have condemned as dreadfully bad form, had she seen Daisy munching food in public. It felt like a small rebellion against the rules of polite society and added piquancy to the ginger beer that Daisy sipped from a bottle that she shared with Jay. It was gloriously common and totally delightful. She even allowed Jay to hold her hand as they sat on hard wooden seats, watching acrobats and jugglers perform in a makeshift circus ring. When it was over they were just leaving when they were confronted by none other than Squire Tattersall. There was no escape.

‘Miss Marshall. This is a pleasant surprise.’ Tattersall’s eyes narrowed to slits as he looked Jay up and down. ‘What are you doing here, Fox? I told you never to show your face round here again.’

‘I do what I please, Squire. I’m a free man.’

‘Put one foot wrong and I’ll send you down again.’

‘Everyone deserves a second chance, Squire.’ Daisy met Tattersall’s cynical gaze with a defiant stare. ‘Fox is simply here to protect me.’

‘And who’ll protect you from him? What would your diplomat fiancé think if you knew you were gallivanting round the countryside with a felon?’

Daisy could feel Jay’s muscles tense as he stood close by her side. ‘You’re right, Squire,’ she said, smiling. ‘He would be very annoyed, but I was so looking forward to visiting a fair. Having lived all my life in London I’m just getting to know the pleasures of residing in the countryside. How fortunate you are to have all this on your doorstep. Although I’ve heard that you own most of the land in this part of Essex. You are lord of all you survey.’