‘Where are we?’ Judy demanded angrily. ‘Why have you brought me to this place?’

‘Shut up,’ Jay snapped. ‘All in good time. I’ve gone to a lot of trouble to get you here.’ He dragged her to the front entrance and kicked the door open.

Judy found herself in the dimly lit kitchen of what appeared to be an old farmhouse. A fire burned feebly in the ancient range, issuing gusts of soot-laden smoke at intervals, and not a lot in the way of warmth. Jay pushed her down onto a wooden chair at the table.

‘Sit there and don’t move.’ He strode over to the range and riddled the coals, sending sparks flying in all directions. ‘The bloody chimney needs sweeping. In fact the whole damn building needs razing to the ground. However, it’ll serve its purpose.’

‘What is this place?’ Judy demanded. ‘Where are we?’

‘This, my dear, was bought by my late father many years ago. I believe he used to entertain certain ladies here where he could be sure of complete privacy. Hardly anyone knew about it apart from the old woman who kept house for him, and she died some time ago.’

Judy twisted round in the chair, staring at him in disbelief. ‘What’s happened to you? I don’t remember you being like this before you left for Australia.’

‘You were a nipper then and a servant. You didn’t know what was going on, any more than you realise what’s at stake now.’

He was angry and Judy sensed danger. She decided to humour him. ‘I might understand if you would only talk to me.’

Jay took off his greatcoat and tossed it over the back of a chair. ‘Here’s what you’ll do, Judy Begg. You’ll stop asking questions and keep your mouth shut.’

She met his irate gaze with a straight look. ‘You could at least untie my hands. I can’t go anywhere, as you said, and you’re twice my size, so I’m hardly likely to overpower you.’

He opened a drawer and took out a knife, which he used to slice through the cords. ‘There, now you can shut up. I’ll speak to you when I’m good and ready.’ He stood back, glaring at her for a moment. ‘You can cook, can’t you?’

‘Yes, of course I can. You must know that I trained under Mrs Pearce.’

‘I can’t be expected to remember every servant we employed. Anyway, I’m damned hungry. There’s food in the bag. See what you can make of it because we might be here for some time.’

Judy followed his gaze and in the dim light she saw a bag spilling its contents onto the deal table. She was hungry too, or she might have refused, although she knew from experience that a good meal had a soothing effect on a bad-tempered man. There were potatoes, onions and carrots together with a large chunk of bacon, a loaf of bread, and a wedge of cheese.

‘I can make a meal of this,’ she said carefully, ‘but I’ll need water. Is there a pump in the yard?’