‘I wanted you to share the excitement I feel for this project, Judy. Unfortunately I have to go to London on business tomorrow, which will take me away for a while.’

‘Has it to do with Jay?’

‘No. There’s nothing he can do other than to make a nuisance of himself, and I think he might have realised that by now. He might be my half-brother, but I’m hoping he’ll go back to Australia, and that will the last we’ll hear from him.’

‘I do hope so,’ Judy said fervently.

Rob proffered his arm. ‘I think it’s time I took you home. You’ve probably had enough for one day, but there is one more place I want to show you, if your ankle isn’t too painful.’

‘I’m enjoying myself so much I’d almost forgotten about it,’ Judy said truthfully.

‘Sharing this with you makes the whole project seem even more worthwhile.’ Rob tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and they made their way slowly to the chaise. He lifted her onto the seat and climbed up beside her.

‘Where are we going now?’ Judy asked as he urged the horse to a brisk walk.

‘The gatekeeper’s cottage. I’ve had it redecorated and modernised, but I have no idea at all when it comes to furnishings and curtains and suchlike. I need your help, Judy.’

‘In what way?’

‘I’ve seen what you did to the old inn, and I doubt if you had two pennies to rub together.’

She laughed. ‘You’re right. We had other people’s cast-offs, but we managed.’

‘This time you can spend what you like, within reason. I’d like it to be furnished comfortably but with style – just the sort of place where I might take my bride, if I were to be married.’

‘You’re to be wed?’

‘Yes, one day, when the time is right.’

She shot him a sideways glance. ‘You proposed to me once, do you remember?’

‘How could I forget? You and I almost shared a room at the Charing Cross Hotel.’

‘So you do remember, although of course it was said in jest.’

‘Perhaps, but it wouldn’t have been practical then.’ He flicked the reins. ‘Trot on.’

Judy studied his profile as he concentrated on guiding the horse towards the gatehouse. His high forehead, straight nose and firm jaw marked him out as a determined man; someone who would not allow anything to get in his way when he had set his mind on something – but what about his heart? She was still mulling this question over when they arrived at the gatehouse.

‘I thought that someone was living here,’ Judy said as Rob ushered her into the hallway.

‘No, I’ve had fires lit every day to make sure the place is free from damp.’ Rob opened the door to his right. ‘This is the parlour. You can see it’s quite small, so the furniture needs to be commensurate with its size. The same goes for the other rooms.’