by Suzanna Ross
He’d always guarded his heart by being a loner. But he actually wanted to spend time with Rosie. Wanted to share even mundane tasks such as preparing supper. He suspected he should be worried. But he wasn’t.
“Thanks, but I think I can handle a couple of toasties.” Her smile softened the refusal. “But you can talk to me.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
She flipped the sandwiches over. “Your family.”
“You’ve met him.”
“Lysander? But surely it’s not just the two of you. What about your parents. Where are they?”
“Dead.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.” She brought the sandwiches over and sat down opposite him.
***
“Thank you.” He reached across the table and took her hand. She liked the feel of his fingers wrapped around hers and looked up to find the gold of his eyes had darkened.
She couldn’t have a fling with him as Julia and Evie had suggested – as she was tempted to do – she wasn’t made that way. But in the short time she’d known him, she’d grown to trust him, to think of him as a friend.
She held his gaze. Unlike the other males who had littered her life, Theo was someone who had proved he could be trusted. Nobody else she knew would have battled through such foul weather to rescue her sister.
And nobody else would still be here to hold her hand.
Chapter Thirteen
“Keep your coat on, we’re going out.” Theo was being deliciously masterful this morning as Rosie arrived at the manor and let herself into the estate office.
“I don’t want to go too far in case Evie needs me. Besides, don’t you have a meeting to go to?”
“I’ve postponed my meeting. And you’ve just dropped Evie at Julia’s where she’s being well looked after.” Theo logged off his laptop and got to his feet.
Rosie wondered briefly where they were going, but there was a more pressing matter on her mind. “I was surprised Evie wanted to go to Julia’s. I mean, she’s only just out of hospital.”
“Evie’s not in any danger and it makes sense for her to stay somewhere she can be mollycoddled. You’re busy trying to settle into a new home and run an estate.”
“I suppose.” Her agreement was grudging. She should be the one fussing over her sister. She was family. Louise, Julia and Bob were only friends.
“What’s happening with the donkeys?”
Rosie smiled. Even with a head injury, Evie had been thinking of the sanctuary. “She’s got George overseeing her volunteers for the next few days. He’s snowed under, helping with the cleanup of the estate after yesterday, but he was keen to do something to help Evie. Why did you postpone your meeting? I thought you were needed.”
“I thought you might need me more.”
Her lips rounded into a silent ‘oh’. Nobody had ever put her first before. She didn’t quite know how to react.
“Tell me more about Julia,” he urged. “She always seems very keen to have Evie. Is she related to you in any way?”
“No, just a friend. Why do you ask?” She tried to make it sound casual, but it was odd he should ask about that – after her own recent thoughts.
His lips parted, as though he was about to say something, but then he gave a brief shake of his head. “It’s just you seem very close.”
“She’s been my best friend for five years. She moved to the village just after Dad died.”
“And you hit it off instantly?”
Rosie nodded. “It was a huge shock when I found Dad hadn’t left any provision in his will for Evie. Julia listened as I whinged to my heart’s content – she was a godsend. She’s been a really good friend over the years.”
“And she doesn’t have any children of her own?”
“She has Louise.”
“Her step-daughter?”
“That’s right. It works out really well because the girls are close friends, too.”
He nodded although she suspected he understood very little about the true value of female friendships. “So, are you coming with me or not?” Theo’s tone was one of infinite patience as he folded his arms and perched on the edge of the desk.
“That depends. Where are you going?” Rosie looked defiantly up. Despite the fact she’d agreed to marry him, and despite the fact he was gorgeous as sin this morning in black sweater and jeans, she had no intention of being pushed around.
“Shopping.”
“We don’t need any shopping. We have plenty of food.”
“Not that kind of shopping.”
Rosie didn’t like the sound of that. “I don’t want to go shopping. I don’t like shopping.”
His lips curved into the hint of a smile. “A trip into town, that’s all I’m suggesting. It will be quick and painless – I promise.”
Rosie was uneasy as she sat in Theo’s helicopter, headphones at the ready and belt buckled. Her first experience of flying – she should have been enjoying it. Instead, she sat, a bundle of nerves, worried about her sister and staring, unseeingly, out of the window at the world far below. It was a beautiful day, sun shining and not a single cloud to be seen – hard to believe it was the same world when yesterday had been so wild.
Theo had summoned the helicopter with nothing more than a brief phone call – the pilot had been on standby and had arrived within minutes. This was luxury beyond her comprehension. Luxury beyond anything she had ever expected or wanted.
“I’ve never before known a woman be so miserable when I’ve offered to take her shopping.” Theo sounded genuinely perplexed as his voice reached her through the earphones.
“Then I don’t think I want to meet the kind of women you normally associate with.”
“We’re only gong to visit a handful of shops. You need some new clothes. Much as you look edible in those worn jeans, I’d like my estate manager to have a few smart items in her wardrobe. And a couple of evening dresses for when you accompany me to functions.”
“Attending functions was never in the job description.”
“Would it have stopped you applying for the job if it had been?”
Of course it wouldn’t. But she wasn’t inclined to tell him that. “I’d have thought twice.”
He laughed softly, the sound teasing her ears through the headphones. “Liar.”
She flushed. “Why would I want to accompany you to functions?”
“Perhaps because of this mind-blowing, out of this world, once in a lifetime attraction.”
She felt her face flush. He was right, she couldn’t deny it. Even now his voice made her heart beat faster. “We’ve only just met.”
“It seems like I’ve known you all my life.”
“Cliché King,” she accused. “If I could afford it I’d insist on buying the new clothes myself.”
“I’d be grossly offended if you tried to pull a stunt like that.”
“I’m grossly offended that you seem to think you can order me around.”
He glanced over, and she saw his lips twitch. Despite her best efforts, she found herself smiling back before making a conscious effort to change the subject. “When are you going to speak to Marsha and Victor?”
“Already have.”
She was impressed, if a little surprised. “When did you find time?”
“I popped by this morning.”
“Surely they weren’t up?” There was no way those two will be up, even now.
“I don’t think it was a case of them having risen – more a case of not having been to bed yet.”
She nodded, that was more likely. “Did you get any sense out of them?”
“They don’t want to live like that any more. They know they’re ruining George’s chances of a decent future. And yesterday gave them a jolt. They’ve agreed they won’t object to his leaving for college any longer.”
She glanced out of the tiny window at the world so far below, but the view was wasted on her. �
�That’s good news. Very good news.”
She was quietly very impressed. That was more progress than she’d managed in all the years she’d been in charge. But, she supposed, they were used to her. Theo had authority because he was new to the estate.
She smiled to herself. More likely Theo had authority because his very presence demanded it.
“So, still happy with the house now you’ve spent a night there?”
She smiled. She might as well go for it – allow him to bask in his well earned triumph. “I know I resisted the move, but you were right about the manor. It’s far too big and far too draughty. The house is much more cosy.”
“And it’s nice to be cosy.”
She glanced across at him through narrowed eyes. He was flirting, which she supposed was no big deal to him. She was not tempted, however, to flirt back. “It’s more than adequate for me and Evie.”
“And you’re sure you’ll be happy there? Once the manor’s properly renovated it’s going to be spectacular.”
“I know.” She smiled softly. “But Evie’s happy as long as we’re close enough to the sanctuary. And she doesn’t seem to be expecting her mother to turn up any longer.” Rosie’s brow furrowed. She still couldn’t understand why her sister had suddenly given up on Glory. Maybe it was just too many years filled with too many disappointments.
***
It was humiliating, the way Theo insisted on taking her to a succession of designer boutiques – and the way he footed the bills for the ultimate fantasy wardrobe. Someone else’s fantasy – she hastened to tell herself – she was much too busy and sensible to worry about clothes. And even if she hadn’t been, no way would she have wanted a man to buy clothes for her. She had tried to tell Theo as much as he had dragged her through the door of the first establishment.
“I’m earning a decent wage now. Once I’m on my feet, I’ll be able to buy my own clothes.”
“You obviously haven’t thought through the full implication of our agreement.”
“What do you mean?”
“Part of the job,” he told her, “is to look the part. You need to be adequately and expensively dressed, otherwise my judgement will be called into question – people will start to wonder why I’ve employed you. Just think of the clothes as you uniform for the job and you’ll be fine.”
Rosie felt suddenly sick. “What have I let myself in for?”
He grinned then and her stomach flipped. “It will be worth it,” he grinned. “I promise.”
***
Theo had only been able to postpone his meetings for twenty four hours. He had no choice but to leave the next day. But he didn’t want to go. In a short space of time, Rosie and the inhabitants of the estate had worked their way into his psyche and he felt he belonged here.
“How long will you be away?” Her face was blank, devoid of all emotion and Theo wondered what she was feeling. Was she pleased she’d have the place to herself again? He couldn’t forget how desperate she had been for him to leave that first day. Her expression now gave nothing away – and he didn’t want to ask if she’d miss him in case her answer was not what he wanted to hear.
“A couple of weeks at least. I’ve got some people doing the groundwork, but the merger isn’t something I can delegate.”
He wanted to tell her he’d miss her, but resisted the urge. Regardless of whether she reciprocated, it would make him too vulnerable. He wanted to deny the admission, even to himself. Theo never missed anyone – and he was keen to keep it that way. But then Rosie Farnham wasn’t just anyone.
“Well, I’ve got plenty to be going on with here.”
So, she was sticking to business. “Good.”
She nodded. “I’ll have all manner of people calling about the renovations, never mind the usual day to day stuff...”
Okay, enough. It was time to show her what she really meant to him, just once before he left. “Rosie?”
“Mmm?”
“Shut up.” His words were softly spoken, but the look of surprise was exactly what he’d aimed for. He acted quickly before she could work out what was happening, crossing the distance between them in two short strides. His hands fitted perfectly around her waist.
“What are you doing?” Was it his imagination, or was she breathless?
He lifted her effortlessly, so her eyes were level with his – eyes so green he could drown in them. “This,” he explained as he slowly – so slowly, heightening anticipation yet giving her every chance to object – closed the space between them.
The kiss was everything he’d expected it to be. Leaving her was going to be harder than he’d thought.
Chapter Fourteen
With Theo away, time slowed to a standstill for Rosie. And yet, she’d never been busier. With plans for the estate to make and oversee, she didn’t stop from the moment she got up until the minute her head hit the pillow. And yet she still found it hard to sleep.
Evie, with her wound healing nicely, was spending more and more time with Louise over at Julia and Bob’s house. Studying, she said. So how could Rosie object? But, with her sister and Theo away she’d never felt more alone.
“You’re looking tired,” Julia told her over a quick cup of coffee when she managed to grab five minutes.
“Thanks,” she sipped her drink and sank deeper into the sofa. She was tired. And so comfortable and cosy in the sitting room of her new home. Really, if Julia wasn’t here it would be so easy to close her eyes and drift off to sleep right here. Although she knew she’d be wide awake at bedtime.
“I’m worried about you.” Julia leaned forward in her chair and put her cup down on the coffee table.
Rosie smiled in a way she hoped would convey there was no cause for concern. “You worry too much.”
“If you moved things along with Theo I’d worry less. You should be having fun dating – enjoying getting to know each other.”
Suddenly, Rosie’s coffee cup was the most interesting thing in the world. Anything rather than meet Julia’s keen gaze. “Things are fine as they are.”
Julia was quiet for a moment, seeming to consider Rosie’s words. And then she smiled. “Well, that’s alright then.”
Time to change the subject. “Are you sure you don’t mind having Evie. I can’t understand why she doesn’t want to come home.”
“She’s very welcome to stay as long as she likes,” Julia assured. “It makes sense, you have enough going on here without taking care of an injured teen. Now, what’s this I hear about Evie calling Harry?”
Rosie pressed her lips together tightly. She hadn’t been too impressed with that particular trick her little sister’s pulled. “You know Evie, family is important to her. She phoned to let him know we’d moved and asked him to visit.”
Julie looked as outraged as Rosie still felt. “Why would she do something like that?”
“She really wants to see him. Hopes the news will bring him out of the woodwork.”
“Even after all he’s done?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I, of course, am hoping it ensures he never comes near the place.” If he did, he would find Rosie still hadn’t forgiven him for selling the manor from under her – even if it had brought Theo into their lives.
***
The conversation with Julia played in Rosie’s mind for a long time after the other woman had left. Not the bit about Harry, but the bit about Theo.
While she was still sure she wasn’t interested in a relationship – permanent or otherwise – she remembered how she’d leaned on him when Evie had been lost and injured. And how he was sharing responsibility for the estate tenants. And, most of all, she remembered how she’d felt with his arms around her and his lips kissing hers – she’d felt safe and cared for.
She went to bed early each night, but sleep eluded her. She had to face the sorry fact she missed him.
It was nearly a week later, while she was thumping her pillow in a fruitless attempt at finding a comfortable position, that she heard it.
She sat up in bed.
An unmistakeable whirling sound.
Heart racing, she made it outside in time to see Theo’s helicopter descend onto to the field behind the house. She blinked, sure she was hallucinating. But there he was, appearing from the craft.
Mildly she registered surprise the noise hadn’t summoned Evie from where she was still staying at Julia’s house. Then she realised they might not have known what the noise was.
She watched Theo dip his dark head as he negotiated the rotor blades and make his way towards where she was shivering at the edge of the field. The helicopter took off again in a whirl of noise and lights and whipped up a breeze that had her hanging on to her oversized night shirt with one hand and her hair with the other.
“What are you doing back? I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Surprise had made her voice shrill, but he just grinned, all white teeth and crinkly gold eyes, and she felt her insides melt.
“I missed you, too.” And without giving her time to react, he closed the space between them and swept her clean off the ground, with one arm under her knees and the other supporting her back. “You shouldn’t have run over the gravel in bare feet.”
“I was curious to see who was showing off by turning up in a helicopter.” She was doing her best not to allow herself to relax against him. It felt startlingly good to be back in his arms. Her nostrils twitched as they were assailed by his achingly familiar masculine scent and suddenly, even breathing proved a challenge.
“Who did you think it would be?”
“Someone with more money than sense.” She shifted against him and was reminded how closely he was holding her. “Put me down, Theo. This is ridiculous.”
“No more ridiculous than running out of the house half-dressed with no shoes on.” He carried her towards the house, over the gravel driveway and indoors, where took the stairs two at a time. He wasn’t even slightly out of breath when he kicked open her bedroom door and threw her down onto the sheets. She yelped a token protest when he threw off his jacket, kicked off his shoes and joined her on the bed. “I’ve had one hell of a week. Takeover went bad – but we seem to have contained the situation.” He loosened his tie, undid the top button of his crisp white shirt and reached out for her, pulling her close against him until the heat from his body enveloped her.