Dove sprang to her feet. ‘Would you mind if I go with Daisy, Mrs Bee? I’ll call in at the school and see what Mr Massey says. Even if the work pays very little, at least I can help with the housekeeping.’

‘What about your family, Dove?’ Mrs Bee’s bottom lip trembled as if she were holding back tears. ‘Maybe you ought to be at home looking after them instead of living here with me.’

‘I’ll make sure they’re all right, and Linnet is keeping an eye on them, too. But you’ve been good to me and I won’t leave you to cope on your own. That wouldn’t be at all fair.’

‘Wrap up warm then, dear,’ Mrs Bee said, beaming. ‘The vegetable stew will be ready for you when you come home.’

Daisy let herself into Creek Cottage half expecting to find Squire Tattersall waiting for her in the parlour, but there was an unusual silence in the house, and she found her aunt in the parlour seated by the fire, mending a sock. Eleanora looked up and smiled. ‘What a charming man the squire is, Daisy. I think you were being very unfair in your description of him.’

‘He holds the lease on this cottage, Aunt. It’s due for renewal later this year and he’s more or less threatened us with eviction.’

‘Nonsense, dear. I’m sure you misunderstood him, and anyway your uncle will sort all that out. As to the squire, he was merely giving us a courtesy call and he’s invited all of us to dine at Creek Manor on Saturday evening. He’s even sending a carriage to take us there in style.’

Daisy stared at her in amazement. ‘He wants us to dine with him?’

‘That’s what I said. He couldn’t have been more charming, and I’m looking forward to it immensely. Hattie is going through the trunks to find my smartest gown and you must wear something that will show you to your best advantage. I know you don’t want to think about it, but such a match would be most advantageous.’

Daisy was too horrified by the idea of spending a whole evening at Creek Manor to argue, and there was little point anyway. She could see that her aunt was thrilled by the invitation and it was obvious that the squire had managed to charm her, although to what purpose Daisy could not imagine. The prospect of a whole evening spent in his company was enough to make her want to catch the first train back to London. However, the more she thought about it she managed to convince herself that this might prove just the opportunity she needed. If she used all her powers of persuasion she might be able to convince the squire to renew the lease on Creek Cottage. Her aunt had seen a good side to him, although her experience with Esmond Tattersall bore no relation to Daisy’s first impression of the all-powerful squire. She would have to tread carefully.