‘I’m sorry, miss, but he’s my brother and I want to know why he left without saying goodbye.’

‘Not another word from you, young lady, or you’ll be on your way, too,’ Hattie said angrily.

‘No, it’s all right, Hattie.’ Daisy met Linnet’s angry gaze with an attempt at a smile. ‘You’re right in a way, but it wasn’t because of me that Jay left. We were enjoying ourselves at the fair when we bumped into Squire Tattersall and he recognised Jay.’

‘What does that mean?’ Hattie demanded. ‘Am I missing something here?’

‘Jay was in trouble with the law when he was younger,’ Daisy said in a low voice.

‘He went to prison,’ Linnet added, shaking her head. ‘Jay was the wild one, but he’s a good man. It was all a mistake.’

‘A likely story.’ Hattie shrugged. ‘They all say that.’

‘I believe him.’ Daisy turned to Linnet. ‘It was unfortunate that the squire recognised Jay and he remembered sentencing him. Jay thought it best for all of us, including you and Jack, if he made himself scarce for a while. I’m sorry, Linnet.’

‘I don’t know why you’re apologising to her,’ Hattie said crossly. ‘She’s better off without him, if you ask me.’

Linnet opened her mouth as if to reply but at that moment the door opened and Eleanora burst into the kitchen. ‘Why are you all standing round gossiping? Where’s my breakfast?’ She fixed Daisy with an uncompromising look. ‘I want a word with you, young lady.’

Daisy followed her aunt to the parlour. ‘What have I done now, Aunt?’

‘Hattie and Linnet are paid to do the work, Daisy. It isn’t proper for a young lady to spend so much time with the servants, and I’m not happy about you consorting with that Fox fellow. Grace Peabody told me that he’s been in prison. Were you aware of that?’

‘Yes, Aunt. I know, and I haven’t been consorting with him. He took me to the fair yesterday, that’s all.’

‘That is quite enough to set tongues wagging. I haven’t been here long, but Grace has told me how things are done in Little Creek, and mixing with riff-raff is definitely out of the question – unless you want to be the subject of gossip.’

‘Yes, Aunt.’

‘Don’t look so smug, Daisy. I know that expression and it means that you intend to do whatever you want. Am I correct?’

‘I won’t be seeing any more of Jay Fox. He’s gone away.’

Eleanora sank down in her usual place at the breakfast table. ‘Thank heaven for small mercies. I don’t mind you being on friendly terms with the young doctor. Nick is your brother’s friend and we know he comes from a good family, but I still think you could do better. I believe Squire Tattersall is a widower. You could do worse, Daisy.’

Daisy went to the sideboard and took out clean napkins. ‘The squire is very unpopular, Aunt.’ She laid the linen on each place setting.