‘I’ve finished here unless we get any passing carriage trade, which I doubt.’ Nate shrugged on the jacket he had discarded. ‘I’m going to saddle up Major and ride over to Colneyhurst to tell Molly and Pip. They need to know.’

‘Yes, of course. You’re so grown-up now, Nate. I’m proud of you. But,’ Judy added hastily, ‘be careful what you say to Ma. She’s pretending to be strong, but I could see how upset she is. She thinks the whole village will be against us.’

Nate pulled a face. ‘Why would they think it was our fault?’

‘Because we only came here a relatively short time ago. Most of them have been born and bred in the village, as have their parents and grandparents. We’re newcomers and we’ve brought trouble and disgrace to Little Creek. That’s how Ma sees it.’

‘That’s stupid. They’d better not say anything in my hearing.’ He fisted his hands. ‘I won’t have anyone spreading untruths about my family.’ He stamped out of the taproom, slamming the door behind him.

‘He took that well, then?’ Rob came towards her, clutching the architect’s drawings. ‘Only to be expected from a lad of his age, I suppose.’

‘Nate won’t allow anyone to criticise Ma,’ Judy said defensively. ‘Neither will I.’

Rob unfolded the large document and laid it on one of the tables. ‘I don’t think you’re giving the people of Little Creek credit for common sense. I’d be very surprised if there was any resentment against your family. Anyway, forget all that for a moment. Come and look at the plans for the new manor house. You knew the old one so well, and you might have some useful ideas. I need a woman’s point of view.’

Somewhat reluctantly, Judy moved to his side and studied the expertly drawn outlines of what would soon be built on the site of the old manor house. To her surprise the layout was very similar, although greatly simplified and not as rambling. The original sixteenth-century building had been added to greatly over the years, but somehow the heart and soul of the dwelling had been captured and put down on paper.

‘What do you think, Judy?’

She looked up, meeting his serious gaze with a feeling of surprise, and she realised that he was genuinely interested in her opinion. She studied the plans carefully, pointing out anything that would not work well when it came to running the house, especially from the servants’ point of view.

‘For one thing,’ she said seriously. ‘It makes sense to have the dining room a bit closer to the kitchens. If you’d ever tried to get hot food to the table when you had to negotiate draughty corridors and flights of steps, you might understand better.’

He smiled. ‘It’s not something I’d considered, but I can see the sense in what you’re saying.’

‘And these rooms set aside for washing and bathing,’ Judy said, shaking her head. ‘It would be better if they were closer to the main bedchambers.’