Jack curled his fingers tightly around her hand. ‘Do you really believe that?’

She met his anxious gaze with a straight look. ‘We must believe it, Jack.’

‘You won’t leave me again, will you?’

She raised his hand to her cheek. ‘No, of course not.’

‘I want you to promise.’

‘I do – cross my heart and hope to die.’

A faint smile creased his pale face. ‘I’ve hardly slept since the accident. Will you hold my hand until I fall asleep?’

She edged carefully onto the bed and lay down beside him, clutching his hand in hers. ‘Of course I will.’

Judy waited until she was certain that she would not wake Jack by getting up. She leaned over the bed to drop a kiss on his unruly curls; he looked so young and defenceless while he slept, and her heart went out to him. Biting back tears, she went downstairs to the drawing room where she found Mary deep in conversation with Dr Neville. He looked up and his expression was serious.

‘I’m glad you came home, Judy. You’re just what Jack needs.’

Mary nodded. ‘Yes, indeed. Hilda told me you were here, Judy. I’ve been so worried about Jack, but I know you’ll do him a power of good. I want you to forget what I said to you before. I didn’t want you to leave us like that, and Jack was furious with me.’

‘We will all do our best for Jack,’ Dr Neville said earnestly. ‘I’ve sent for a specialist from London.’

‘I don’t care what it costs,’ Mary said feebly. ‘I’d sell my soul to make my boy well again.’

‘Of course you would, Mrs Tattersall,’ Dr Neville said gently. ‘My knowledge of spinal injuries is limited, but Toby recommended a young doctor who trained at the City Orthopaedic Hospital in Hatton Garden. I’ve met Ben Godfrey and he’s a decent fellow, who won’t charge you a full consultant’s fee.’

Judy stared at him in surprise. ‘Dr Godfrey? I met him in the London Hospital. He’s very nice.’

‘He’s a very presentable fellow,’ Dr Neville said, smiling. ‘But he’s also a very good doctor.’

‘When is he due to arrive, Doctor?’ Mary asked urgently.

‘He’ll be here in a day or two, but you mustn’t expect miracles, Mrs Tattersall. Jack damaged his spine when he was thrown from his horse. It’s too early to tell if it will be permanent, but there is the possibility that he won’t walk again.’

Mary reached for her hanky. ‘Oh, no! I can’t bear to think about it.’

‘He will recover fully,’ Judy said firmly. ‘I won’t let him give up.’

Dr Neville gave her an encouraging smile. ‘That’s the right attitude, Judy. If anyone can keep his spirits up, it’s you.’ He turned to Mary, covering her hand with his. ‘I’m sure that Daisy would be happy to give you a hand, should you need help. She was an excellent nurse.’

‘You always had a soft spot for Daisy,’ Mary said with a ghost of a smile. ‘I know she’s happy now with Marius, but Jay should be here to manage the estate instead of running away to the other side of the world. He’s let us all down.’