‘As a matter of fact I thought that you and your mother might like to live here, and if you’re going to work for the charity that seems even more suitable. I think Aunt Adeline might be better suited to having accommodation in the east wing when it’s built.’

‘I don’t think we could afford the rent on this place,’ Judy said dully.

‘It would be rent free, of course. Consider it part of your wages. We’ll depend upon you to keep us going.’

‘Yes, of course. Thank you.’ She shot him a look beneath her lashes. ‘But where will you live? The inn is fully booked, thanks to your men.’

‘The coachman’s house is vacant at the moment. I’ll drive myself for now or Pip can fill in until such time as I need the barouche. I’m more interested in getting the manor house rebuilt than in my own comfort. What do you say, Judy?’

‘I’ll think about it,’ she said evasively.

‘You’ll talk it over with Mrs Begg?’

‘Yes, I will, but I’m not sure she’ll want to leave the Crooked Billet. Anyway, I think we’d best be getting back. Unless you want me to start working for you immediately?’

‘No, of course not. We’ll have to have a few meetings to consider the best way to go about things. You won’t be on your own, Judy. I’ll be there to help and support you. It’s work I wouldn’t want to trust to anyone but you.’

‘You mean he didn’t propose to you?’ Molly said, throwing up her hands. ‘What a fool that man is.’

‘I wasn’t expecting anything of the sort.’ Torn between annoyance and amusement at her sister’s reaction to her news about the gatehouse, Judy brushed Molly’s hair into a sleek chignon.

‘Of course you were.’ Molly twisted round on the dressing table stool, giving Judy a stern look. ‘When a man asks a young woman to furnish his house for him it can only mean one thing. What did you say to put him off?’

‘Nothing. I told you I wasn’t expecting him to propose, and it’s the gatehouse, not his home. There’s nothing romantic going on between us.’

‘If you think that, you’re either blind or stupid.’ Molly rose to her feet, shaking the creases out of her skirt. ‘Look at me. I knew exactly when Jack was going to pop the question, and I made sure he did.’ She fluttered her eyelashes and made a moue.

‘You are a spoilt brat,’ Judy said, chuckling.

‘I know I am, and it always works for me.’ Molly headed for the doorway. ‘Think about it, Judy. Give the poor man a chance.’ She left Judy staring into her dressing table mirror with a puzzled frown. All her old insecurities had risen to the surface and she was still Judy Begg, the kitchen maid who aspired to higher things but had been deserted, not quite at the altar, when Jack had chosen to accompany his brother to Australia. If Rob had genuine feelings for her he would have made them clear by now. As it was, he merely wanted someone he could trust to raise much-needed money for the hospital, which just happened to be a project they both held dear. She had accepted the challenge and she would prove to them all that she was more than capable of taking on such a responsible job.