Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

Lovatt intervened. ‘Mr Maitland and I will leave the room for a while. You all have copies of the documents in front of you, which will verify what’s been put forward: seventy per cent of what you are owed, without uncertainty, and without prejudice. Read the documents, and if you’re in favour of accepting, we’ll make it watertight in your favour.’

      He paused, before going on in sombre voice, ‘If, however, you decide to take your chances at auction, then so be it. The meeting will end right there.’ With that he summoned Leonard to go with him, and together they departed the room.

      In the outer hall, Leonard voiced his concern. ‘There are a few in there who would rather wait and see what happens at the auction,’ he said. ‘And who knows, maybe the estate will bring in more than enough to pay them off.’

      ‘All we can do is wait and see. The decision is in their hands and we have no choice but to abide by it.’ As a lawyer Justin was philosophical. He had seen it all before and there was no telling which way it would go.

      They had been waiting an hour and a half before the nondescript man in the grey suit came out to tell them, ‘We’ve come to a decision … of sorts.’

      As they followed him to the boardroom, Leonard looked at Justin and mouthed the words, ‘ “Of sorts”?’ Justin shook his head, meaning that he didn’t quite know what that meant either.

      When they entered the room, it was instantly apparent that the men were more at ease; the big man actually smiled at them as they walked to their places. ‘We’ve looked through all the documents,’ he began, and it was obvious they had elected him to be spokesman, ‘and I’m afraid we still want our pound of flesh.’

      Leonard’s heart sank, then rose again at his next words. ‘We accept your offer – but with certain conditions.’ He looked around the room, making sure everyone was still of the same mind. When he received the nods, he went on, ‘No one here is prepared to accept any less than the full figure they are owed.’

      Leonard’s heart sank again.

      The big man continued, ‘To that end, we will accept the offer, but with a legal proviso that the remaining thirty per cent is paid within a period of two years. So there you have it. That is our unanimous decision. Accept it, or we’ll take our chances at the auction.’

      Realising it had come as a shock to Leonard, Justin spoke on his behalf. ‘You all know my part in this,’ he reminded them. ‘The decision does not rest with me. I can’t say whether Mr Maitland can or cannot comply with what you ask. All I can say is, he and I need to talk. I request that you give us twenty-four hours to consider.’

      A hush came over the room and all eyes turned to Leonard.

      Head bent and heart heavy, he was lost. He frantically sought a way out and could see none. He had been prepared to sell his farm in England and borrow money on top of that, in order to keep his beloved grandfather’s homestead in the family, where it belonged, but now he saw it all slipping away. To consent to this would cripple him financially.

      A sense of urgency galvanised his thoughts. You only get one precious moment which can change the course of your life forever. This was his moment. If he let it go now, he knew there would never be another.

      Looking up, he saw them all anxiously waiting for his response.

       A kind of madness took hold of him. Straightening his shoulders, he thanked Justin then turned to sweep his gaze across the sea of faces all intent on him; his eyes falling on the big man last. ‘I accept your offer,’ he said simply. ‘One way or another, you will all get your money.’

      There was a brief silence, then a cheer went up. The relief in the air was palpable.

      The big man came over to Leonard and asked if he could shake him by the hand. ‘Farley would have been proud of you,’ he said quietly. ‘Good luck.’

      The next day, as he boarded the liner which would take him home to England, Leonard wondered if he had done the right thing. Even now he wasn’t sure how he might repay the debt he had inherited from his grandfather. Yet he had given his word. The money was pledged and somehow, he would find a way.

      Once upon a time, the Farley Kemp holdings had been a thriving, lucrative business – and it could become so again. Especially if he was to bring Barney across the Atlantic. They worked well together, he and his Farm Manager. If anyone could help him rebuild the estate and restore the place to its former glory, it was Barney Davidson. And the thought of having Vicky close at hand was wonderful. He had dreaded saying goodbye to her.

      With that in mind, Leonard locked his cabin door and made his way to the nearest bar, where he ordered a large whisky. ‘I’ve earned it,’ he told the barman. ‘I’ve just taken the biggest gamble of my life!’

       Chapter 13

      HAVING INFORMED PATRICIA of the date he would return, Leonard half-expected her to be waiting for him when he disembarked at Liverpool. Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen, even though he lingered for almost an hour, walking up and down searching every avenue in case he should miss her.

      Finally he hailed a taxi and, bitterly disappointed, travelled back alone. He knew the house would be clean and tidy, thanks to his daily woman, Mrs Riley, who ran the place and used Lucy Baker on a Saturday to do any extra jobs. But it would be cold and lonely, too.

      Arriving at The Manse he paid the driver and went inside; where the warm, earthy aroma of fresh bread filled his nostrils and took him straight to the kitchen. ‘Why, it’s young Lucy!’ He was astonished to see her, sleeves rolled up, taking a crusty-baked loaf out of the oven.

      ‘Welcome home, Mr Maitland,’ she said with a shy smile. ‘Vicky offered to look after Jamie so I could nip in and make you some supper, after your long journey. There’s mushroom soup to go with the bread. I didn’t think you’d want anything too heavy, so late in the day. Oh, and I’ve lit a fire downstairs and one in your bedroom. I hope that’s all right?’ She looked anxious.

      He smiled. ‘It’s more than all right – it’s a wonderful welcome. Thank you, my dear, for being so very thoughtful.’ More thoughtful than his so-called fiancée, he thought.

      Lucy took off her pinny and went to get her coat and hat. ‘Don’t slice the bread while it’s still warm,’ she urged. ‘It’ll only squash up and you won’t get a clean slice.’

      ‘I’ll let it cool,’ he promised. ‘Now go home and get some rest.’ All he wanted was to be alone, put his feet up, eat from a tray and enjoy a strong drink. ‘There’s a chill in the air.’ He held Lucy’s coat open for her. ‘It was cold in Boston, too.’

      ‘Good night, Mr Maitland. It’s good to see you back.’ Lucy hoped she wasn’t being too familiar. She was rather in awe of Leonard.

      He smiled. ‘It’s lovely to be home,’ he told her.

      By ten o’clock that evening, Leonard had bathed and changed, eaten three slices of the best bread he had ever tasted, dipped into a sizeable bowl of hot, thick mushroom soup; the whole lot washed down by two cups of tea and a tot of best whisky.

      God, it was good to be back by his own fireside. Yawning, he was thinking about going to bed when a moment later, he was taken by surprise when the door opened and in walked Patricia, done up in all her finery and looking especially beautiful.

      Purring like a kitten she wrapped herself round him. ‘You smell delicious,’ she whispered, caressing him and deeply arousing him. ‘I’ve missed you, my darling.’

      Summoning all his courage, he drew away. ‘Did you now?’ he asked cynically. ‘So, why did you forget to meet me at the docks?’

      She gave a long, impatient sigh. ‘I didn’t forget,’ she answered rather petulantly. ‘It was just … well, I went shopping. I