‘I’d have married you eventually, Judy.’

She looked him in the eye. ‘Would you really? Is that why you’re here now? Are you asking me to marry you?’

‘What am I supposed to say to that? I want you to come to Australia with me and build a new life.’

‘I think you’ve answered my question. You’re a spoilt child who refuses to grow up.’ Judy went to the bar and poured a measure of brandy. She handed him the glass. ‘Drink up and go back to Jay. You can tell him that I’m not easily bought by vague offers of a better life. For all I know, you might be like your brother and have a wife in Australia.’

He downed the spirit in one gulp. ‘I’m hurt. You know me better than that.’

‘Do I? Maybe at one time I did, but not now. I don’t understand why your brother is so keen to get his hands on Creek Manor, but that’s his business. All I’m concerned about is providing for my family and keeping a roof over our heads.’

‘Is that your last word?’

‘It most certainly is. Now go, please.’

‘I don’t want to leave you like this. You’re placing me in a difficult situation, Judy.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ Instantly alert, she faced him angrily. ‘Jay did send you to persuade me to leave here, didn’t he?’

‘Not exactly, but you know it would be better all round. Honestly, Judy, where will you go? How will you live? Be reasonable and agree to leave of your own volition. Maybe Jay would allow you another day, if you promised me you would move out after Christmas.’

She eyed him curiously. ‘Why does Jay want the Crooked Billet?’

‘It belongs to him, Judy. It’s the only part of the estate that he didn’t sell, and we need somewhere to stay while we’re here. He’s set on getting Creek Manor estate back, and nothing is going to change his mind.’

‘But you and he plan to return to New South Wales?’

‘Yes, I made no secret of it. I’m being totally honest with you, and I truly want to atone for the way I treated you. I’ll marry you, if that’s what it takes.’

‘It’s too late for that. Nothing is as it used to be. Go away, please.’

‘All right, I’ll do as you say, but you belong with me, Judy. You’ll see sense eventually.’ Jack walked to the door where he hesitated, turning to give her a pitying look. ‘You don’t have to go through this. It’s Christmas and all you have to do is agree to Jay’s terms and we could all be together, as we were in the old days. Dove said she would love you to come to Creek Hall for Christmas dinner. We’ll all be there.’

Judy crossed the floor in angry strides. ‘Get out and let me lock up. Tell Jay that we’re staying put. Merry Christmas, Jack.’ She slammed the door after him, locked and bolted it with such force that the timbers shook. The taproom echoed with silence and the Christmas tree in the corner suddenly looked tawdry and out of place. She had been looking forward to the festivities, but now her hopes for the New Year were dashed. How they were going to survive if they were forced to leave was the burning question, although the most pressing problem was how they were going to hold out if Jay came mob-handed. Judy could not imagine there would be many local men who would band together under his lead, but time alone would tell.