‘We’ve got a problem, Judy,’ he hissed close to her ear. ‘A very big problem, I’d say.’

She gazed at him in astonishment, never having seen him display any emotion whatsoever. ‘What’s wrong, Molesworth?’

‘Nothing is wrong, my dear.’ The voice was familiar and yet she could not put a name to the person until she turned her head to look at him.

‘Mr Tattersall?’ she murmured nervously. ‘Is it really you?’

‘I think Squire Tattersall is the correct form of address.’ The tall, sun-bronzed man descended the last few steps on the grand staircase and strolled towards them, eyeing Judy curiously. ‘Is it? No, surely you can’t be skinny little Judy with the snub nose and freckles?’

‘Yes, sir. I’m Judy Begg.’ She exchanged anxious glances with Molesworth. ‘But I thought you were in Australia. I mean, that’s what everyone said.’

‘I was,’ he said agreeably, ‘and now I’ve come home to claim my inheritance, and it seems that I arrived at an opportune moment.’ He glanced over his shoulder at the tables groaning beneath the weight of the food that Cook and her underlings had prepared. ‘Well, now everyone can celebrate the return of the squire.’

Molly rushed into the house, followed more slowly by Eleanora and Sidney.

‘Who is he?’ Molly demanded, staring at the intruder, wide-eyed. ‘He looks a bit familiar.’

‘I have the advantage,’ Jay Tattersall said, grinning. ‘I remember you, young Molly. Although you were quite small when I left for the Antipodes. You’ve grown into your looks, I must say. You’re quite a little peach.’

‘I think I’m going to faint,’ Eleanora leaned against her husband, covering her eyes with one hand. ‘I don’t know how you’ve got the nerve to turn up like this, Jay Tattersall.’

‘Eleanora, my dear aunt-in-bigamy, and Sidney, too. This is an unexpected pleasure.’

Sidney grasped Molly by the hand. ‘Run and warn my niece, will you, please?’

Molly shook her head. ‘It’s too late, sir. Look behind you.’

‘Jay!’ Daisy Walters stood in the doorway, staring at him in a mixture of horror and amazement.

‘You’ve got a nerve, sir.’ Marius Walters placed a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘I’m astounded that you dared show your face here.’

Jay shrugged and smiled. ‘I am the legal lord of the manor, Walters. Do I take it that you’ve made an honest woman of my erstwhile wife?’

Marius leaped forward, but was restrained by Nick Neville, who had followed them into the house.

‘Don’t waste your energy on him, Marius,’ Nick said angrily. ‘Jay loves to create a stir, no matter who gets hurt in the meantime.’

‘I say, Nick, that’s not true. I’m a most reasonable chap, and I would have expected a warmer welcome home after all these years. Anyway, what’s going on? You’re all dressed up so it looks like a wedding.’ Jay glanced round at his stunned audience as the rest of the party began to arrive. ‘Don’t tell me that Ma has tied the knot with some other old codger who’s likely to pop off and leave her a fortune.’