‘You do want to stay on here, don’t you, Judy?’

‘Yes, of course, ma’am. This is my home and my family are here in Little Creek.’

‘The position of housekeeper is a worthy occupation,’ Mary insisted wearily. ‘You could do a lot worse, and Ida Ralston is an excellent example.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Judy shifted from one foot to the other. They owed everything to the Tattersall family, but sometimes she longed to be free. There was a whole wide world out there, although her choices were limited, and she would either opt for a life in service, or marriage to one of the village boys she had known from childhood. Jack’s friends Danny Shipway and Alfie Green both vied for her attention on Sundays when everyone attended morning service, but she could never take them seriously. ‘If that’s all, ma’am, I’ll go and check on the arrangements for Master Jack’s return from university.’

Mary’s face lit up with a smile. ‘I can’t wait to see him. I could never have imagined that my little Jackdaw would do me proud, and it’s all thanks to Daisy’s husband. I can never thank Marius enough for everything he’s done for my son. Jack was born into poverty, but now he’s a gentleman.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Judy had heard it all before, but she tried to look as if this was a revelation. ‘May I be excused now, Mrs Tattersall?’

Mary raised herself to a more upright position. ‘Not yet, Judy. I want a word with you before my son arrives. Sit down, please.’

Judy eyed her warily as she perched on the edge of a chair opposite the sofa. ‘Have I done something wrong, ma’am?’

‘No, of course not, my dear. It’s just that things have changed since we first moved into Creek Manor. You were just a child then and we were all like one big family.’

‘I’m sure we’re very grateful for everything, ma’am.’

‘I’m not asking for gratitude, Judy. But I’m neither blind nor insensitive. I know that you and Jack were always good companions, and I suspect that your friendship deepened into something more when he came home last summer.’

Judy felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she stared down at her clasped hands. ‘Nothing untoward has ever occurred between us, madam.’

‘I’m sure it hasn’t, which is why I wanted to speak to you now. Jack will have to take over running the estate, because it’s become too much for me, even with all the help I have had. Legally it all belongs to Jay, but I haven’t heard from him since he left this house ten years ago, and I doubt if he’ll ever return from Australia, so that means that to all intents and purposes Jack will be lord of the manor.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Do you understand what I’m saying, Judy?’

‘Not exactly, ma’am.’

‘This isn’t easy because you’re a sweet girl, and I’m fond of you, but Jack needs to marry a woman of good breeding, preferably someone with a decent dowry. The estate makes very little profit and the old house needs a good deal of renovation. Do I make myself clear?’