‘Well, I never!’

‘Perhaps you’d like to come with Judy and me, Mrs Begg. I’ll show you the parcel of land that I’ve donated, and maybe you’d like to take a look at the plans for the house I’m going to build where your cottage once stood.’

‘I can’t go gallivanting around the countryside at this time of the day.’ Hilda encompassed the kitchen with a sweep of her arms. ‘Can’t you see I’m busy? The workmen will be here at any minute demanding their bread and cheese and bowls of soup.’ She put her head on one side. ‘But of course Judy can go with you. I can manage on my own.’

Judy was tempted to stay and help her mother, but she was eager to show Rob the fully furnished gatehouse. ‘Are you sure, Ma? I do have something I want to show Rob.’

‘Yes, go away. Shoo!’ Hilda flapped her apron at them.

‘Thank you, Mrs Begg.’ Rob held out his hand to Judy. ‘I don’t know what surprise you have in store for me, but I’m eager to find out.’

Judy’s heart was thudding against her tightly laced stays as Rob entered the house. She held her breath as he stepped into the front parlour and she crossed her fingers, hoping that his first impression was a favourable one. He gazed round, saying nothing, and her heart sank.

‘You don’t like it? I tried not to spend too much money in case …’

He turned to her with a beaming smile. ‘It’s perfect, Judy. You’ve done wonders, and in such a short time.’

‘Just wait until you see the rest of the rooms.’ Judy tried not to look too relieved, but she felt light-headed with delight. All her worries about spending too much or the fact that his taste might differ from hers were fading as she led him from room to room. They ended up in the kitchen where the sunlight streamed through the window.

‘Well?’ Judy said eagerly. ‘Are you satisfied?’

‘Words can’t express my feelings, Judy. You’ve turned a perfectly good house into a wonderful home. I had thought I might live here until the main wing of the house is finished, and I was planning on asking Aunt Adeline if she would like to move in with me.’

‘I’m not sure she’d want to leave her cottage. She seemed to be very happy there.’ Judy turned to look out of the window. The trees that lined the avenue were bursting into leaf and there was a good view of the work in progress on the building site.

‘You don’t think that’s a good idea?’ Rob said softly.

‘It’s your decision. The house and everything in it belongs to you.’

‘Not quite everything.’

There was something in the tone of his voice that made her turn to look at him, and the expression on his handsome features brought a blush to her cheeks. ‘So who will have the house?’ she asked, covering her confusion with a confident smile. ‘You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for the new gatekeeper.’