‘Yes, or rather, no. I don’t know, Daisy. I’m confused.’

Daisy smiled. ‘Love takes one like that. I suppose it must be Rob Dorning who’s causing you all this bother.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘I’ve lived in Little Creek for long enough not to answer that question. You know how news gets around, especially when there’s a juicy piece of gossip to spread. I heard that he took you to see the building work, and that you spent some time in the gatehouse.’

‘Rob asked me to furnish it for him.’

‘There you are then,’ Daisy said smugly. ‘That’s exactly how Marius managed to persuade me that he was serious. Men aren’t very subtle, Judy. They find it hard to express their innermost feelings and we’re supposed to read the signs, although sometimes it’s almost impossible.’ Daisy put her head on one side. ‘But surely that’s not what brought you here today, is it? What’s bothering you, Judy?’

‘Rob told me a little of his past. Did you know that he qualified as a doctor and he was in the army medical service?’

‘Good heavens! No, I didn’t know that.’

‘He served six years in India, although he’s never worked in general practice.’

Daisy put her head on one side, studying Judy’s face. ‘Is there a point to this? He obviously left the service, so maybe medicine wasn’t for him after all, nor army life.’

‘No, it’s not that.’

‘Then what’s troubling you, Judy? I’ve only met Rob a couple of times but he seems like an excellent fellow.’

‘He knew that Dr Godfrey was trying to buy Creek Manor in order to build a fine new hospital, but Rob was determined to have the estate for himself.’ Judy stared down at her hands clasped tightly on her lap. Why it mattered so deeply was beyond her, but it still made her feel angry.

‘Marius knows the story better than I do, but it seems that Rob should have inherited the estate in the first place, and he’s simply buying back what’s rightfully his. Jay must be furious.’

‘He is, and he’s caused no end of trouble. I suppose you know that he tried to blackmail Rob into selling by abducting me.’

‘Yes, my dear. I’m so sorry. Jay can be so charming, as I know to my cost. On the other hand, he has a despicable side to his character, which I didn’t see until after we’d been married for some months.’

‘I’m afraid there’s something of the old squire in both brothers.’

‘So that’s the problem.’ Daisy shook her head, smiling. ‘You’re afraid that Rob will turn out like his father.’

‘I suppose I am. I think Rob wanted the estate at any cost. He didn’t care that Dr Godfrey wanted to do something that would benefit everyone round here.’

‘Are you upset because Ben Godfrey failed to get his way, or is it because Rob didn’t tell you everything from the start?’

Judy looked up, staring at Daisy in surprise. ‘You think I’m being difficult?’