‘He’s a very wealthy man and owns half the county, so I believe. He is just the sort of person you ought to be encouraging, and certainly not one of the Fox family or that mealy-mouthed schoolmaster. I can’t abide the man.’ She looked round, frowning. ‘Where is Jack? He should be up and about like a normal child. It’s high time he returned to school anyway.’

‘I’ve had a word with Mr Massey, although he suggested that Jack ought to remain off school for another couple of weeks.’

‘Poppycock. The man’s a fool and I’ll tell him so when I next see him. You’d better wake the boy, Daisy. Tell him to come downstairs immediately or there’ll be no breakfast for him.’

‘Yes, Aunt.’ Daisy went upstairs to her brother’s room, where Jack was snuggled beneath the covers, fast asleep. She gave him a gentle shake. ‘Jack, wake up. It’s time for breakfast.’

He groaned and opened one eye. ‘Go away.’

His rosy cheeks and the curve of his thick golden eyelashes reminded her of young Timothy Carrington, and she sighed. That part of her life was over and done with, and she might never see Jay Fox again, but the memory of his kiss lingered. Even more shocking was the realisation that Jay’s brief embrace had left her shaken and wanting more. She tickled Jack and he began to giggle.

‘Get up, Master Fox, or I’ll call Linnet. She won’t be so gentle with you.’

Jack sat up, rubbing his eyes. ‘All right. I’m coming.’

‘Wash first, then get dressed. Do I have to treat you like a baby and do it for you?’

Jack’s blue eyes widened in horror. ‘No. I’ll do it myself. I promise.’

Daisy went to the door and opened it. ‘If you’re not downstairs in five minutes you’ll have your sister to deal with.’

Jack rushed over to the washstand and tipped water into the basin. He ducked his whole head in the bowl, coming up and shaking his head like a wet dog as he felt for the towel. ‘See,’ he said breathlessly. ‘I’ll be quick.’

Daisy was still laughing when she reached the morning parlour. ‘That boy will end up as prime minister one day, Aunt.’

Eleanora reached for a slice of toast and buttered it. ‘More likely he’ll end up in prison like his brother. I’ve been in their hovel, Daisy. I’ve met Jack’s parents and the father is a shiftless creature, too lazy to work and support his family. The mother is a pathetic soul, brow-beaten, I dare say, and sickly. Grace and I have tried to show them how to improve their living conditions, but they don’t seem able to better themselves.’

‘Mr Fox used to be gamekeeper at Creek Hall until the late Doctor Neville could no longer afford to keep on the outdoor servants. From what I saw of the cottage it’s beyond patching up. It needs a lot of work to make it habitable and that’s the squire’s responsibility. He owns most of the village now.’