‘That’s nonsense and you know it. Nothing’s changed, Judy. We’re both older, and I hope a bit wiser than we used to be, but we’re more than just good friends. I intend to marry you one day, but not yet.’ Jack moved to one side as James came puffing up the steps carrying heavy luggage.

‘You’re wrong, Jack,’ Judy said in a low voice. ‘We can never be married.’

‘Why not?’ Jack caught her by the wrist as she was about to walk away. ‘What’s this all about?’

She gazed down at his slim fingers as they circled her slender arm like a band of steel. ‘Let me go, please.’

‘For heaven’s sake!’ Jack released her with an exclamation of annoyance. ‘What sort of welcome home is this?’

‘Your mother is coming.’ The conversation with Mary was still fresh in her mind, and Judy prepared for flight.

‘Thank you, Judy,’ Mary said firmly. ‘I hope you paid attention to what I said earlier.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Judy bobbed a curtsey and hurried off in the direction of the servants’ quarters. She could hear Jack demanding an explanation, but she knew in her heart that his mother was right. A girl from her background could never aspire to mixing with the gentry, and although Jack had not been born to the position, in his brother’s absence he would inherit the manor house and the estate together with all the responsibilities. Judy remembered only too well the struggle it had been for Daisy when Jay disappeared on their wedding day, and had left her to drag the estate back into profit after years of neglect by the old squire. There had been enough heartache and unhappiness in this house, and Judy was determined to avoid being caught up in the curse of Creek Manor.

She made her way to the kitchen to give Cook the good news that Master Jack had returned and there would be one more for dinner that evening. Nell Pearce had been Judy’s friend since she was a child, and Nell had taught her how to make bread, cakes and tarts, as well as the basics of roasting meat and making savoury stews. The delicious aroma of cooking and the warmth from the great range had always made the kitchen a welcoming place. Nell was always patient, even when Judy had burned the meat pies, or when she had put salt in the gooseberry tart instead of sugar.

‘What’s up, love?’ Nell eyed her curiously. ‘Have you been crying?’

‘No,’ Judy said too quickly to sound convincing. ‘I had something in my eye.’

‘Sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of tea. It’s freshly made.’ Nell bustled about fetching a cup from the dresser and filling it with the hot brew. ‘Now then, the girls are too busy to pay any attention to what you’re saying, so out with it, my duck.’

‘It’s nothing really, Nell.’ Judy sipped her tea, giving herself time to think.

‘Lizzie said that Madam was angry with you? Is that true, or did the silly girl get it wrong?’