‘Of course I’ll come with you. I doubt if Jay could do anything to harm Rob, but he really needs to be warned.’

Jack frowned. ‘Don’t underestimate my brother, Judy. I have a feeling that he’s not beaten yet. I don’t know what he’s planning, but he won’t give up easily.’

‘Can’t you persuade him to return to Australia without upsetting everyone even more than he has done?’ Judy asked anxiously. ‘Surely we don’t need all this trouble? Jay shouldn’t have sold the estate if he wanted to keep the title.’

‘I think it goes deeper than just owning the estate,’ Jack said slowly. ‘Jay always knew he didn’t fit in at home, and I don’t think he could understand why Pa was so harsh with him. According to Ma, the old squire was on his deathbed when he admitted that Jay was his son. The discovery that Rob Dorning is the true heir was the final insult.’

Judy shrugged. ‘I’m afraid I have no pity for Jay. I think he suffers from a form of madness. You didn’t see his face when he was threatening me. I was really scared.’

‘And I can’t forgive him for that,’ Jack said earnestly. ‘I was going to return to Australia with him, but only if you and I had come to an understanding, Judy. I’ve been worrying about you ever since I left without setting things straight.’

‘I know, Jack. I think I’ve been doing exactly the same as you. We were childhood sweethearts but we’ve grown up, and now nothing is the same.’

‘You understand. Thank God for that. I know I did wrong by you, but perhaps it was for the best that circumstances came between us.’

‘Well, I don’t understand.’ Molly looked from one to the other. ‘You two always did talk in riddles. You seemed to know what the other one was thinking.’

‘That’s no longer true,’ Judy said with a wry smile. ‘Jack will always be like a brother to me, but that’s all.’

‘It’s hard to let go of a dream.’ Jack turned to Molly, raising her hand to his lips. ‘But that’s all it was. I realise that now, and maybe I needed to go to the other side of the world to find out who I am, and what I want out of life.’

Judy could hear footsteps and she held up her hand. ‘Adeline is coming. Please don’t say anything about Rob that might upset her. She’s been like a mother to him.’

Jack jumped to his feet and went to open the door for Adeline, who was carrying a heavy tray. She placed it on the table.

‘You’ll want something inside you before you leave for home.’

‘Thank you, Miss Dorning.’ Molly rose to her feet to hand round the cups of tea and slices of cake. ‘You’re very kind and I know Ma would want me to thank you for looking after Judy so well.’

‘It was nothing. I’m sure your mother would have done the same for my Rob.’ Adeline turned to Judy, raising an eyebrow. ‘Do you think you’re well enough to travel?’