Judy stared after him. He had worked out her past with surprising accuracy and yet he had not given away anything about himself. She picked up the plate and saw the bread and cheese had been left untouched even though he had paid handsomely for the meal.

Nate chose that moment to rush into the taproom. ‘I have to go now or I’ll be in trouble at the stables.’ He eyed the bread and cheese. ‘Is that going to waste?’

Judy smiled and handed the plate to him. ‘Take it to eat on the way, but do be careful. You’ve made an enemy of Faulkner – I refuse to call him our stepfather – and who knows what he might do next?’

Nate wrapped the slice of bread around the cheese and stuffed it in his pocket. ‘I’ve eaten, but I’ll take this for Pip. He’s always hungry, and I’d better return the gun, or I’ll be in trouble.’

‘You will think about what Ma said, won’t you, Nate?’ Judy asked anxiously. ‘I mean you and Pip are more than welcome to live here. We’ve plenty of room and, to be honest, we could do with the help. It would be wonderful to have the family together again. Maybe Molly might come and live here one day, too.’

Nate nodded eagerly. ‘I’ll see what Pip says, but I’ll definitely be back.’

‘Without the gun next time,’ Judy said firmly.

He laughed. ‘You don’t have to worry. I’ve already promised Ma.’

Next day Judy set out for Colneyhurst to discuss the release of the boys from their apprenticeship at the stables, but that was not the only thing she wanted to ask Daisy. As luck would have it, Daisy was at home and Judy was shown into the drawing room.

‘This is a lovely surprise, Judy.’ Daisy motioned her to sit down. ‘We’ll have a tray of coffee and cake, please, Lizzie.’

‘Yes’m.’ Lizzie grinned at Judy as she left the room.

‘I can see that you have something exciting to tell me,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘You never were good at keeping your feelings secret.’

‘It’s nothing really. I came to ask you if Nate would be allowed to leave your employ and come to work with us at the Crooked Billet.’

‘Yes, of course. It was only meant to be a temporary arrangement anyway. I took the boys on to make sure they had somewhere to live, but I can see that you might need at least one of them.’ Daisy sat back in her chair, eyeing Judy curiously. ‘You don’t want to rob me of Molly, too?’

‘I didn’t come with that in mind,’ Judy said tactfully. ‘Molly always does as she pleases.’

‘There’ll be another baby in the nursery next spring.’ Daisy patted her belly. ‘I didn’t mention it before because it’s early days, but now I’m certain.’

‘That’s wonderful. Do you mind if I pass the good news on to Hilda?’

‘No, of course not. I really thought that after my last difficult birth that I wouldn’t be able to have any more children, but it seems I was wrong. Marius always wanted a large family, so now we’re well on the way.’ Daisy smiled and relaxed against the silk cushions. ‘But here am I going on about our good news, and there’s something else on your mind, Judy. I can always tell.’