‘I was there, although I kept in the background. You were so wrapped up in your own self-importance that you didn’t see me.’

‘What business is it of yours, anyway?’ Dr Godfrey thumped his hand down on the counter. ‘Who are you?’

‘The name is Dorning, Robert Winters Dorning to be exact, and I am the new owner of the Creek Manor estate.’

There was a sudden silence in the taproom. The only sounds were the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock and the snap and crackle of the log as the sap leaked out into the flames. Judy gazed at Rob in disbelief.

‘You bought the Creek Manor estate?’

He laughed. ‘There’s no law against it, is there?’

Judy looked from one to the other. ‘But Dr Godfrey was going to build a new hospital.’

‘I can speak for myself, Judy,’ he said crossly. ‘This is an outrage, sir. That land is perfect for what we wanted.’

‘You had your chance, although I doubt if you could raise the sort of money you would need for such an ambitious project.’ Rob picked up his saddlebag. ‘I’m going to my room, Judy. I’ll have supper later, if that’s all right with you.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Judy stepped in front of Dr Godfrey, blocking his way. ‘Please don’t make trouble. I know you’re disappointed, but you must have known that there would be other bidders.’

He sank down on a chair by the bar, holding his head in his hands. ‘I’m ruined.’

‘No, surely not,’ she said anxiously.

‘You don’t understand.’

‘I might, if you told me what’s wrong.’

He shook his head. ‘I persuaded people to invest in the project.’

‘But you can give them back their money.’

‘That’s the problem.’ He turned his head away. ‘I don’t know why I’m telling you this.’

‘Sometimes it helps to talk to someone about your problems.’

He uttered a mirthless bark of laughter. ‘I can’t repay all the money. There were expenses.’

‘But surely the investors will understand that.’

‘I was so certain that I could get the land at a good price. I gave up my position at the London Hospital and I travelled all over the country, visiting other medical institutions to see how they were run. The fact is that I spent more than half the money I took from the investors, and I have no hope of repaying them. I’m ruined.’

Judy was at a loss for words. She raised her hand to give him a comforting pat on the shoulder, but dropped it to her side. After all, he had used other people’s money to follow his dream, and his gamble had failed. There was nothing she could say that would either help or comfort him. She refilled his glass from the brandy bottle.

He accepted it with a nod and tossed the drink back in one swallow. He rose unsteadily to his feet. ‘I’d better go.’

‘It’s getting late,’ Judy said reasonably. ‘Where will you go at this time of night?’