‘Why are you here, Jay?’ Judy eyed him curiously.

Jay puffed out his chest. ‘I’m a very wealthy man now. I’ve decided to buy back my family home.’

Judy exchanged meaningful glances with Rob. ‘You don’t know then?’ she said slowly.

‘Know what? What’s going on?’ Jay leaned against the wheel of the barouche.

‘You tell them, Judy,’ Rob said casually. ‘I need to talk to Seth about getting the chaise moved.’ He beckoned to Seth, who had been listening to the conversation open-mouthed, and they moved a little further down the lane.

Judy looked from one to the other. ‘Creek Manor burned to the ground. It’s no longer there, and the original purchaser sold the entire estate. You are behind the times, Jay.’ She had the satisfaction of seeing both the Fox brothers taken by surprise, and their shocked expressions might have been funny in any other circumstances.

‘The old house needed to be razed to the ground. It was draughty and would have fallen down in time. However, I’ve made a fortune in Australia, and I want my son to inherit the estate and the title.’

‘Creek Manor has a new owner who might not wish to sell.’ Judy glanced at Rob, but he was deep in conversation with Seth. She was tempted to tell Jay that Rob was the new owner, but that could wait. She was so cold that she was losing the feeling in her feet and fingertips.

‘Everyone has a price,’ Jay said sulkily. ‘I’ll pay whatever is necessary.’

Judy shivered convulsively. ‘I’m cold so you’ll excuse me if I don’t wait around.’ She set off in the direction of the farm, but Jack caught her up before she had gone more than a few yards.

‘We’ll take you home in the barouche, Judy. There’s no need for you to wait here unnecessarily.’

‘Thank you, Jack, but I’m fussy about the company I keep.’ Judy was about to walk on, but he caught her by the wrist.

‘Judy, please. I came back to fetch you. I sent you letters.’

She turned to give him a searching look. ‘I never received anything from you.’

‘On my honour, I wrote once a month – well, maybe not that often, but I did send you a letter telling you that I had recovered. Let us take you home, please.’

‘I don’t know. I can’t leave Rob here.’

‘What is this fellow to you? Do I have competition?’

‘Jack, I’m shivering and my boots are leaking. I refuse to have this conversation. Let me go.’

‘Then I’ll call on you at the cottage.’

‘The estate was sold, Jack. We were evicted from the cottage months ago, and now that too is razed to the ground.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Go and see your sisters. They’ll tell you everything – just leave me alone.’ Judy limped off in the direction of the farm. She was still getting over the shock of seeing Jack so unexpectedly, and even more confused by his attitude towards her. It was as if he had just returned from a term at university, and he expected everything to carry on as normal; but for her nothing would ever be the same. The closeness they had once shared was gone, as was the trust. She walked on, slipping and sliding on the icy surface of the snow, but determined to remain independent.