‘I’m sure that’s untrue, James.’ Judy was shocked, but she tried to sound positive. ‘But it does look as though the master might be laid up for a while. You can tell them in the servants’ hall that I have matters in hand. We will keep going until the master is well again. Have no doubt about that.’

‘Thank you, miss. I hope you don’t mind me asking.’

‘Please send the message to the stables. If anyone asks, I’ll be back in time for dinner.’ Judy headed for the grand staircase, taking the steps two at a time as she made her way to Jack’s room. She burst in without knocking.

‘Well? What did you think of Dr Godfrey?’

‘He prodded me about as if I were a lump of meat.’

‘He had to examine you, Jack.’

‘He tried to sound hopeful, but I still can’t feel my legs. I think it will always be like this.’

Judy hurried to his bedside and sat down, holding his hand. ‘I want you to stop talking like that. The doctor was much more hopeful when he was talking to your mother and me. We have to be positive, Jack. You’re not to give up; I won’t let you.’

He raised her hand to his cheek with a wan smile on his lips. ‘You’re a bully, Judy Begg.’

‘I most certainly am, when need be, and I’ll be very cross if I hear you talking like that again.’

‘All right, I’ll try to be positive, but it doesn’t stop me worrying about what’s going on downstairs. I feel so cut off up here.’

‘I know you do. It’s miserable for someone like you to be confined to one room, but I’m sure it won’t be for much longer.’

‘I was shocked to see Mama looking so pale and wan. I don’t think she’s been coping very well, Judy. Running the estate is too much for her; I should have left university sooner.’

‘She’s tired and she’s worried about you. I’ll do everything I can to make life easier for her.’

‘I can’t expect you to manage things on your own, Judy. It’s my job, but there’s very little I can do, laid up like this.’

‘You have to concentrate of getting well again, and I’m going to ride over to Colneyhurst and ask Daisy for advice. She knows more about running the Creek Manor estate than anyone.’ She leaned over to brush his tangled hair back from his brow. ‘It’s only temporary, Jack. You’ll be back in charge in no time.’

‘That’s the trouble, Judy. I never expected to be the lord of the manor, but now I’d give anything to be able to take back the responsibilities that irked me so much.’

‘And you will again.’ She rose to her feet. ‘I’m leaving now, but I’ll be back in no time at all and I’ll tell you all about it.’

‘Don’t jump any fences. That’s how I came a cropper.’

‘I’m not as adventurous as you, Jack Fox.’ She left him with a cheery wave, but she was worried. Despite the doctors’ attempts to sound hopeful, she was far from certain, and trying to convince Jack that he would recover fully was exhausting. She went to her room to change into her riding habit, which fortunately had been in the valise containing her clothes that James had collected from the cottage that morning. It was only when Judy saw her garments lying on the rich damask coverlet that she realised how shabby and old-fashioned they were. Most of them had been darned or patched, and even though the mending was neatly done, it was obvious that this apparel belonged to a menial. The riding habit was perhaps the best of the collection and that was a hand-me-down from Daisy.