‘You haven’t changed,’ Daisy said bitterly. ‘You’re still playing games with people’s lives, and it’s cruel, Jay.’

He ignored her, focusing his full attention on Judy. ‘You can speak for yourself, I’m certain. What do you say?’

‘I want to see Jack.’

Jay stood aside. ‘Of course you do. Up you go, young lady. Mop his brow and whisper sweet nothings in his ear, while I enjoy some of that excellent-looking food, and a glass or two of wine. Come along, Daisy. Let’s be friends again – you too, Walters. No hard feelings.’ Jay extended his hand to Marius.

‘I can never forgive you for the way you treated Daisy,’ Marius said stiffly. ‘If I had my way I’d horsewhip you, but we’re civilised people, and that’s not acceptable. Just don’t expect me to befriend you, Tattersall.’

‘That goes for me, too.’ Daisy slipped her hand through the crook of her husband’s arm, and they walked away.

Mary was the only person left, apart from Judy, who remained at her side.

‘Well, Ma?’ Jay faced her with a supercilious smile. ‘Are you going to tell me off, or threaten me with some dire punishment?’

‘Why are you doing this?’ Mary asked in a voice that shook with emotion. ‘Why do you always have to spoil everything that’s good?’

Jay looped his arm around his mother’s thin shoulders. ‘Come on, Ma. Let’s eat and drink – it’s a wedding party, after all. We’ll talk about the details later.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Go upstairs and talk it over with Jack, there’s a good girl, or I might withdraw my offer, and then you’ll be out of work, like the rest of the servants.’

Judy drew herself up to her full height. ‘You are a very bad man, Mr Tattersall. I wouldn’t cross the creek for someone like you, and if I can persuade Jack to remain here, then so be it.’ She turned on her heel and walked slowly and deliberately upstairs, holding her head high. She had learned to deal with bullies at an early age, and she decided that Jay Tattersall was the worst of his kind. She did not look back, and when she was certain that he could not see her, she broke into a run. She arrived in Jack’s room breathless, and with her flower-trimmed hat tilted at a dangerous angle.

‘You’ve seen my brother?’ Jack’s faced glowed pink with excitement and there was a hint of the old sparkle in his eyes. ‘Did he tell you that he’s going to take us to New South Wales where he has shares in a gold mine, and he’s building a hotel? We’ll be rich as Croesus.’

‘You don’t know that, Jack. From what I’ve heard of your half-brother, he’s more likely to lose money than to make his fortune. Why do you think he wants to sell Creek Manor if he’s doing so well?’

‘All businesses go through bad times; Jay told me so and I believe him. Anyway, I’m sure the sea voyage will set me back on my feet.’