Another Home, Another Love

by Gwen Kirkwood

  ‘Rosie!’ his voice jerked her attention back to the dance. When she looked again there was no sign of Sam. She knew she had not imagined him. Why couldn’t he have waited, to say hello? Her small jaw set and she threw herself into the dancing. Alex sensed a change in her and responded with renewed energy. Then there were only three couples remaining. When one of the judges called their number Rosie thought they had been eliminated. She didn’t realize they had won until Alex lifted her high above his head and danced towards the podium.

  Sam had been unable to resist looking in at the dance hall. He knew Rosie was partnering Alex. His younger brother was elated because she had agreed. He had talked of little else, unwittingly rubbing salt into Sam’s wounds, making him more miserable than ever. Common sense told him his young brother would be no more acceptable to Catherine Palmer-Farr than he was, but it was little consolation. He had assumed Rosie would be as unhappy as he was during this month of separation. He had thought she would refuse to go to the dance without him, even though she and Alex had always made a good pair on the dance floor, and it was for the competition. Obviously she didn’t miss him as much as he missed her. He was a fool to have promised her mother not to contact her for a whole month. Tania had told him that Rosie seemed to be in constant demand for her mother’s lunch and dinner parties. To make matters worse he had run into Paul Keir in the village shop a few days before. After they had exchanged greetings Paul explained he was on his way back from the Braebourne’s place.

  ‘Sir Henry and his sons have asked Rosemary to advise them on landscaping their grounds. That’s the sort of thing I enjoy so she sent me to give them a few ideas before they decide whether to go ahead.’ Paul grinned. ‘I don’t think they’re interested in ideas for their grounds.’ It dawned on Sam that Catherine Palmer-Farr had selected the Braebournes as frequent guests because Sir Henry’s sons would provide a suitable match for her daughter. Some time ago he had met them briefly. He considered them a pair of stuffed shirts. They had been following the hunt over Bengairney land because their landlord had given permission to the leader of the hunt. The Braebourne boys and three of their friends had thought they would be clever and take a short cut. They galloped through the middle of a field where their in-lamb ewes were grazing. The frightened flock had scattered in alarm. Sam remembered how furious his father had been. He had not hesitated to confront them. Sam remembered standing beside his father and longing to aim a fist at their arrogant noses as they sat up on their horses and smirked down on his father as a mere tenant. Was that the kind of husband Rosie wanted? He went home without entering the dance hall. He felt sick at heart. He should have known Catherine Palmer-Farr would lose no time in providing other company for Rosie. He couldn’t bear the thought of her in the arms of another man – not even his own brother.

  Rosie was tired when she wakened on Sunday morning. Apart from the energetic dancing, she had lain awake wondering where she had gone wrong with Sam and considering the future. In the wee small hours she made a decision. Sunday was not ideal for discussing business but she wanted to see Paul and his mother together when they were both at home. If Mrs Keir was in favour of Paul becoming a partner they needed to discuss terms and draw up an agreement. They each had their own ideas but that had proved a benefit so far. If Paul paid her for a half share she would have enough capital to start converting the first of three stone buildings at Home Farm into detached houses. Her father had modernized the farmhouse so she would have four good houses to let, as well as the three farm cottages. It might even be possible to make the Home Farm stable and hayloft into flats if she could get planning permission. The property would give her a reasonable income if she ever decided to sell all of the gardens to Paul. Then there was the Lodge at the back entrance to Langton Tower. Paul had expressed an interest in it.

  Rosie showered and dressed in her flared jeans and a new multicoloured top with flattering diagonal stripes. She grimaced at herself in the mirror knowing her mother would disapprove when she turned up for Sunday lunch, but business came first, as her mother had demonstrated. If ever she had children Rosie vowed she would love them before anything else.

  Paul and his mother had discussed his future at length and Rosie got the impression Mrs Keir was happy to discuss business, Sunday or not.

  ‘I am thankful Paul is alive and well and he has discovered work which promises him satisfaction,’ she told Rosie, ‘but he has ideas and ambition.’

  ‘I understand that,’ Rosie nodded.

  ‘Paul could afford to buy the gardens but their value is increasing as you improve them. Also I would be happier if he could be in partnership with you for a few years to learn the business side of things. Do you need your mother’s permission?’

  ‘No, the gardens are mine but we would need a valuation and a legal agreement. The turnover is growing each year. Between us the business could expand in various directions, so it would be better to become a partner now, Paul, and expand together.’

  ‘That’s what I thought,’ he said with a grin. ‘More importantly I need to know I have a future. What about the Lodge?’

  ‘Could you still afford it?’ Rosie asked.

  ‘I think so but I would want a strip of additional land on the two sides away from the road. I’m thinking very long term. I’d be content to make alterations in the future so long as I know it’s mine.’

  ‘How long term? What sort of alterations?’ Rosie asked.

  ‘If we start selling our plants direct to the public it would be better to have a centre near the entrance. Yes?’

  ‘It would, if we ever get that far.’

  ‘Together we shall, some day.’ Paul smiled.

  ‘We would need to mark out the area you have in mind, Paul, and get it valued. We’ll discuss the details later now I know both of you agree about this, but I must hurry. I’m going to be late for lunch. Mother will be annoyed,’ she said with a rueful grimace.

  ‘That’s super, Rosie!’ Paul stood up and hugged her. ‘You’re my lucky star. Life has improved ever since I met you and your father and John Oliphant, hasn’t it, Mother?’

  ‘It has indeed. These things take time though, Paul, so you must be patient.’ Mrs Keir smiled at Rosie. ‘I do appreciate you coming here and talking things through. I confess I have been a little worried. I shall be happy for Paul to enrol in another correspondence course in landscape gardening.’

  ‘Yes. Gosh, I must fly!’

  Rosie was half an hour late for lunch. Catherine was furious.

  ‘You could have worn some decent clothes,’ she hissed. Rosie sighed in exasperation when she saw the three Braebournes again, along with an elderly couple, and the Wilshaws. They owned the estate which included Bengairney. Rosie had not met their two offspring before but she appreciated the conspiratorial wink from Trevor Wilshaw and the twinkling eyes of his twin sister, Ellen.

  ‘I am sorry to be so late,’ she apologized, allowing them a glimpse of her own mischievous smile.

  ‘What kept you so late?’ Catherine demanded.

  ‘I had some business to discuss with the Keirs.’

  ‘On a Sunday?’ Harry Braebourne drawled.

  ‘Strike while the iron is hot. Better the day, better the deed. Take your pick. The outcome was satisfying. Now I’m ready to eat.’ She reached for the basket of bread rolls and urged the Wilshaw twins to follow suit.

  Megan and Tania were enjoying a chat over a cup of coffee when Struan arrived at Bengairney on Sunday morning.

  ‘Alex can’t stop grinning after winning the dance competition, and now you’re looking pleased about something, Struan?’ Megan said with smile.

  ‘Alex and Rosie were terrific. My father phoned Australia last night. He’s as excited as a schoolboy and Pam’s delighted with our news. Tania, she thinks it’s a good excuse to come over and bring the two children if we can arrange an Easter wedding. My parents have never seen them. Father explained about Mother but Pam says she will manage her.’ He shrugged. ‘
She reckons Father and I, and the doctor, are too soft with her.’

  ‘Seeing her grandchildren might help,’ Megan said.

  ‘Yes, Pam is hoping my parents will go back with her for a visit.’

  ‘That’s wonderful news. Maybe Struan’s niece would like to be a flower girl, Tania? She would have Avril’s wee girl for company and I’m sure Rosie will keep an eye on them.’

  ‘Mum, we’re supposed to be having a quiet wedding. I haven’t asked Rosie yet and Struan hasn’t asked Sam.’

  ‘Asked me what?’ Sam asked appearing at the back door.

  ‘Er…we’re planning our wedding,’ Struan told him. ‘I wondered if you’d be my best man?’

  ‘Best man?’ Sam frowned.

  ‘Don’t sound so enthusiastic,’ Tania groaned. ‘Say no if you don’t want to do it. Struan can ask his pal, Bert. Or Alex would jump at the chance if Rosie agrees to be my bridesmaid.’

  ‘Rosie? Have you fixed a date?’ Sam asked.

  ‘No, but Struan’s sister is coming over from Australia so we shall try to make it at Easter. Is your social calendar so full?’

  ‘You know damn well it isn’t, except with milking cows,’ Sam retorted. ‘Thanks for asking me, Struan. Easter is late, isn’t it? I mean into April. Yes, I’d love to be your best man.’

  ‘Easter Sunday is the 18th,’ Tania said, ‘but that’s not long. We could try for Easter Monday if the minister is agreeable.’

  ‘We must book a meal at one of the hotels,’ Megan said. ‘It will be short notice but we may be lucky if it’s not a big wedding. You did say you were not having a dance afterwards?’

  ‘But the money, Mum. I thought we were economizing.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that, sweetheart,’ Struan said. ‘Dad wants to pay for the reception. He can afford it and I’m all he has left to launch into the world.’ He grinned.

  ‘That’s a kind offer, Struan. Please thank your father,’ Megan said, ‘but we’re not so short of money we can’t afford a wedding for our only daughter. And Sam, speaking of money your father has decided to pay you a regular wage. It will only be in accordance with the Wages Board regulations for stockmen. Alex will get the same. We don’t like to see either of you working so hard and having no enjoyment in life.’

  ‘But Mum…I thought with buying Martinwold and everything—’

  ‘Paying the bank will be an ongoing expense for years, like paying a rent. We still have to live normal lives.’ She looked at Sam. ‘I know we told you and Alex not to squander money, but there’s no need to be as miserable as you have been recently.’

  ‘You can say that again,’ Tania muttered.

  ‘What’s the promise you’ve been making to Mrs Palmer-Farr, Sam?’ Struan asked.

  ‘What?’ Sam stared at him. Twin patches of colour mounted his cheekbones. ‘Who told you that?’ His green eyes flashed.

  ‘Sorry.’ Struan’s brows rose. ‘I didn’t mean to offend. I answered Rosie’s phone last night. Mrs Palmer-Farr thought it was you and accused you of breaking your promise. She sounded furious until I explained.’

  ‘I see.’ Sam pursed his lips. ‘I should never have agreed to her bloody demands.’

  ‘What demands, Sam? What promises have you made?’ Megan asked.

  ‘Oh nothing,’ Sam muttered and sat down at the kitchen table with a dejected thump. Megan eyed him. She knew Sam had not been to see Rosie, or anywhere else. He hadn’t brought any of his good shirts for washing for at least three weeks.

  ‘A promise is not “nothing”, Sam. What does Catherine want from you? You haven’t done anything – I mean hurt Rosie or…’ Megan floundered.

  ‘Of course I haven’t done anything!’ Sam shouted. Then his shoulders sagged. ‘Sorry, Mum.’ He put his head in his hands. ‘She’s never thought we were good enough,’ he muttered. ‘She always resented Rosie spending time with us, even when she was little.’

  ‘We’ve always known that,’ Megan said, ‘but Rosie is like a member of the family. Your grandfather was remarking how much he’s missed her company and her cheery smile. So what did you promise? And does Rosie agree?’

  ‘She doesn’t know. That’s the trouble. Her mother said I was preventing her meeting young men from her own class,’ he feigned a posh accent. ‘She said I was selfish and if I kept on seeing Rosie she would be in danger of losing her inheritance. I told her I wasn’t interested in her money. Then she went on about us being tenant farmers and how we couldn’t afford to keep Martinwold House and we have a huge debt hanging over us. Everything she said was true. In the end I agreed to do as she asked.’

  ‘Which was?’ Megan asked.

  ‘She didn’t want me to see Rosie again, ever. I couldn’t promise that so she said I should stay away from her for three months. And not even speak to her, for God’s sake! In the end I agreed not to see Rosie, or speak to her, for a month.’

  ‘Not see her, and not tell her why?’ Tania asked incredulously. ‘No wonder Rosie has been so down in the dumps. She always ran to you with her problems. She’ll think you’ve deserted her.’

  ‘I’d never do that,’ Sam exclaimed. ‘I love her! I mean – I really love Rosie – not like when we were kids. I want to marry her – if ever I can afford a wife.’

  ‘Oh Sam!’ Tania got up and hugged him. ‘So that’s why Mrs Palmer-Farr has been entertaining half the gentry in the district, especially the Braebournes. She’s trying to fix Rosie up with one of the boys. You needn’t worry, though. Rosie has always been a shrewd judge of people, even when she was little. She thinks Harry Braebourne is a supercilious snob.’

  ‘Does she? Did she say so?’ Sam asked.

  ‘More or less. As for her inheritance, Rosie already has the gardens and some cottages. She’s trying to make you feel guilty, big brother.’

  ‘Maybe Catherine was referring to the hotel?’ Megan said. ‘That will be Catherine’s now.’

  ‘Ah that could be right!’ Tania said. ‘Rosie told me Harry Braebourne was keen to know what the hotel would be worth.’

  ‘I don’t think Rosie would care about that anyway.’ Sam said.

  ‘Catherine is still a young woman. She will need the income, or the proceeds from the sale, to live on. I suspect she was indulging in a bit of blackmail, Sam. So long as you and Rosie love each other, that’s the most important thing of all.’

  ‘I should have discussed it with you before, Mum. You always put things into perspective.’ Sam smiled and his face was transformed. ‘I’ve only one more week to go then I’ve kept my blasted promise. I only hope Mrs Palmer-Farr keeps hers.’ His eyes widened. ‘What if Rosie doesn’t believe me when I tell her why I couldn’t see her?

  ‘Oh she will,’ Tania said, her mouth firming.

  ‘I’m sure she will.’ Struan caught her eye and winked. He knew that determined look. ‘You’ll be going up to see Rosie this evening? To ask her to be a bridesmaid, of course?’ he said, his grey eyes dancing.

  ‘You bet I will.’

  TEN

  Rosie was bored with the polite conversation at the dinner table. Her mind was on Paul and the decision they had reached. There would be a lot to discuss but it was a relief to know Mrs Keir was enthusiastic. She wished she had been free to spend the rest of her Sunday with the Carafords and share her news. She respected Steven Caraford’s opinion. She would need a valuation. She longed to discuss it all with Sam if only—

  ‘Rosemary Lavender! How rude you are,’ Catherine exclaimed. ‘Harry asked you a question.’

  ‘Oh?’ Rosie jerked her attention back to the guests. ‘Er, what did you say?’ she asked.

  ‘I was asking why you sent one of your underlings to us. I expected you to come yourself.’

  ‘Underling? Paul Keir can give advice on landscaping better than I can.’

  ‘We Braebournes only deal with the boss.’

  ‘I thought he had some good suggestions,’ his younger brother protested.

  ‘You know even less than the labo
urer she sent,’ Harry snapped. His condescending tone and superior smile inflamed Rosie’s temper.

  ‘Paul Keir is my partner. I believe his family is as wealthy as yours, or mine. More importantly he is intelligent. He has a strong character too.’

  ‘What nonsense! Paul Keir is not your partner,’ Catherine snapped.

  ‘Yes he is, as of this morning. We need a legal agreement but I don’t foresee any problems.’

  ‘You should have discussed this with me and—’ Catherine broke off, reluctant to quarrel with her daughter in front of guests. Rosie was not sure what devil possessed her, whether it was the glint in the eyes of the Wilshaw twins, or the supercilious smile on Harry Braebourne’s face, or that she was tired of her mother’s organizing – or just tired after the dancing.

  ‘I need to make my own decisions, as you have always made decisions concerning the hotel. Harry has some advice for you in that direction.’

  ‘How could Harry ever give me advice? Especially about the hotel?’

  ‘He thinks it is a gold mine and that you ought to sell before you get too old. He’s afraid you might let it dwindle away now you’re a widow. Isn’t that right, Harry?’ Harry Braebourne’s face had gone white, then flushed puce. Rosie eyed him. He was a most unattractive colour.

  ‘I didn’t say…well not exactly….’ Catherine was staring from one to the other. ‘I er – I er, I don’t think you’re all that old, Mrs Palmer-Farr….’ he stammered. ‘Only that—’

  ‘Son, close your mouth right now,’ Sir Henry snapped.

  ‘Harry wanted to be sure I’d have a decent inheritance,’ Rosie said. ‘He doesn’t realize I’ve got my share of the dwindling Palmer-Farr fortunes and I’m happy with it. I am not looking for a title or a rich husband.’ She threw her mother a challenging look. Catherine felt herself sag. Rosemary had tried to warn her. Now she was making a public statement. Oh God. She wanted to hide. There was an awkward silence, then everyone started talking at once.