‘I see.’ He looked so embarrassed that she almost felt sorry for him but then he rose from his seat and gave her a polite little bow. ‘Then I must thank you for being so honest and wish you goodnight, Miss Farthing.’ With that he turned on his heel and strode out into the hallway, where he almost bumped into Ivy who was taking a tray of coffee to the master’s study.

‘Would you kindly inform Mr Mason that I am leaving,’ he said in a clipped tone and, sensing trouble, Ivy hurried on her way, almost tripping over her skirt in her haste.

‘Mr Dolby asked me to tell yer that he’s leavin’, sir,’ she said quickly when she swept breathlessly into the room, almost dropping the tray in the process.

‘Leaving! What do you mean, girl, it’s still early,’ the master roared as he slammed his glass of port onto a small table and charged from the room.

He found Walter just putting his hat and coat on and asked abruptly, ‘So what’s to do then, Walter? The night is still young.’

‘Ah, but I am not,’ Walter answered regretfully. ‘Which I think is one of the reasons your granddaughter has just told me quite plainly that she has no intentions of marrying me.’

‘She’s done what?’ Gilbert roared, and as his voice echoed along the long hallway and into his study, Emma began to tremble. There would be big trouble now, if she wasn’t very much mistaken.

Walter Dolby placed his hand on Gilbert’s arm and smiled. ‘It’s all right, old chap. I quite admire the girl, actually, for having the guts to speak her mind. I certainly wouldn’t want to force her, or anybody else for that matter, into a marriage they weren’t happy with so I’ll wish you goodnight and a very Merry Christmas. No doubt we shall meet again at the club.’

Gilbert’s hands clenched into fists of rage as he watched his guest step out into the snowy night and seconds later he was charging towards the dining room where he found Holly still sitting, waiting for the row that she sensed was to come.

‘You idiot girl!’ he growled. ‘Do you even begin to realise what you’ve just done? Walter Dolby is one of the richest men in Warwickshire. You could have been set for life.’

‘Probably, but set for what sort of life?’ Holly dared to ask. It was the first time she had ever openly stood up to her grandfather and for a moment he was struck dumb as his hands clenched into fists of rage once more.

‘You will sleep on what you have done and first thing tomorrow I expect you to write a letter of apology to Walter,’ he boomed.

Outwardly calm, Holly stared right back at him and shook her head. ‘I’m afraid I shan’t be doing that, Grandfather. I only told him the truth, hopefully in such a way as not to hurt his feelings, but I shall never marry Mr Dolby, whatever you say!’