Judy went to the fireplace and added another shovelful of coal. ‘That was a joke. We weren’t serious.’

‘Oh, no. You’re wrong, Judy. It’s quite obvious that Rob is in love with you.’

Judy turned to give her a searching look. ‘What makes you say that?’

‘I don’t know. I suppose it was everything really – the way he looks at you and the change in tone of his voice when he’s speaking to you. I hardly know either of you, but I’m certain I’m right.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Judy said evasively.

‘Well, who am I to tell you anything?’ Clara chuckled and rose to her feet. ‘Would you be an angel and unlace me, Judy? I really need to lie down, and I’m so sorry if we spoiled your evening.’

‘I was ready for bed, so please don’t worry. I think I’ll sleep without rocking, as my mum always says.’ Judy helped Clara off with her outer garments before tackling the tightly laced corset.

Clara breathed a sigh of relief and, still wearing her chemise, she climbed into the bed. ‘I hope I didn’t speak out of turn, Judy. You and Rob have been so kind to us.’

‘You’ve given me something to think about,’ Judy said candidly. ‘The trouble is, I never know when Rob is serious or when he’s teasing me.’

‘He’s a good man.’ Clara yawned and turned on her side. ‘Good night, Judy.’

Judy sat by the fire for a while, thinking over what Clara had said. Of course she was mistaken: Rob was not romantically inclined, and even if he were, the old spectre of social divisions would once again raise its ugly head. When the mansion was rebuilt Rob Dorning, the legitimate son of the old squire, would become the lord of the manor, and she would still be Judy Begg from Green Dragon Yard.

Judy sighed and rose to her feet. She could tell by Clara’s even breathing that she was already fast asleep. Judy unlaced her boots before shedding her outer garments and her stays. She crept under the covers, lying back to back with Clara, and drifted off to sleep.

Next morning, after a rushed breakfast in the overcrowded dining room, Judy and Rob said goodbye to Clara and Henry, promising to keep in touch, although Judy knew that their different lifestyles would make it unlikely that they would ever meet again. Nevertheless she was very touched when Clara promised to call their baby Judy, if it turned out to be a girl, and Robert if it were a boy. They parted on the best of terms and then Rob and Judy caught a hansom cab to Bishopsgate Station, although now they were on their own Judy found herself unusually tongue-tied and shy. Clara’s insistence that Rob was interested in her romantically had made Judy examine her own heart, and Rob seemed preoccupied during the journey home. When he did talk it concerned his plans for the new Creek Manor, and Judy listened politely, making suitable comments when required, but they had lost the easy friendship they had enjoyed the previous day.