Second Chance with Lord Branscombe

by Joanna Neil

  ‘I’m fine—we’re all doing great after all the worry.’

  ‘I’m glad about that.’ He kissed her tenderly, holding her close and making her body surge with heat.

  She kissed him, loving the way his hand rested on the swell of her hip, until all at once there was a loud beeping sound that erupted on the airwaves and destroyed the moment.

  ‘Oh...it’s the oven timer,’ she said in dismay. ‘My broccoli bake is ready to serve.’

  He laughed. ‘We’d better go and see to it, then, before it spoils.’

  ‘Okay.’ She pulled herself together and fetched hot plates from the oven and served out the food. ‘Sit down. Help yourself to extra cheese and there’s hot crusty bread and a green salad to go with it, if you want.’

  He sat across the table from her and began to eat. ‘Mmm...it’s delicious,’ he said, and she smiled.

  ‘Rob and Jessica like this—it’s one of their favourite meals. They always ask for it when they come to visit.’

  He studied her thoughtfully. ‘You’ve always looked after them, haven’t you? I suppose with your mother’s condition affecting her so badly in those first few years they turned to you?’

  ‘Pretty much, yes. Sometimes Mum would go off for days at a time, so we had to manage as best we could. I felt so guilty when I left to go to Medical School. I came home whenever I could—most weekends and sometimes in the week if my shifts allowed for it. And of course I spent my holidays with them. They were still so young and things were topsy-turvy for them.’

  ‘But now things seem to be turning out all right—Rob is back with your father and planning on going to college, and Jessica is a mother herself.’ He speared a forkful of salad and glanced at her. ‘That must seem strange to you—it’s happened so soon, while she’s still so very young. Do you ever think of having a family of your own?’

  She nodded. ‘One day, yes, I’d like that. I hope it will happen. Seeing Jess’s baby has made me feel even more maternal. He’s so soft and warm and beautiful.’ She drew in a deep, happy breath. ‘They let me hold him and it’s the best feeling in the world.’ He smiled and she said quietly, ‘What about you, Nate? Have you thought what it might be like to have your own babies up at the Manor House?’

  He was still for a moment, his fork poised in mid-air. Then he let it settle once more on his plate and flicked a glance over her, his gaze searching, intent. ‘I’ve thought about it,’ he said at last. ‘Sometimes, especially of late, I wonder what it would be like. I’m not sure, though. It’s becoming more difficult for me to contemplate as time goes on.’

  She studied him cautiously. ‘Because you haven’t found the right woman or because you don’t want to deal with that aristocratic heritage and all that goes along with it?’

  ‘It’s neither of those things, really. I suppose, in my heart of hearts, I’m afraid to open up to any woman. It’s only happening now because of you, I think. I never understood it before, but of late I’ve been thinking things through, trying to sort out my feelings. I don’t feel I can trust things to work out right. I think the way I am has a lot to do with my mother dying when I was so very young... When you have that wonderful relationship with your mother, you have a right to expect it to last for ever, and as a child I was shocked to the core when it was taken from me.’

  ‘You didn’t ever get over it?’

  He shrugged. ‘You do, of course—not get over it, exactly, but you learn to adjust. There was a void in my life. But then, after a while, my father started to bring girlfriends back to the Manor... He was determined never to marry again—no one could replace my mother in his eyes, I think...but those relationships would last at most two, three years, maybe, and during that time I grew attached to a couple of the girls. They were decent women and I think they meant well—they were each affectionate and sweet towards me and I liked having them around, being able to confide in them...but then the relationship with my father would come to an end and they would disappear back where they came from and I never saw them again. I felt...empty...and lost.’

  He shook his head, deep in thought. ‘Bringing children into the world is a huge responsibility. They need stability but I don’t know what it’s like to have a lasting, loving relationship and I’m almost afraid that for me it doesn’t exist. The experience has left me feeling that I can’t risk putting all my faith in one woman. I tend to think that, somehow or other, I’ll always be let down.’

  ‘So it’s best not to care too much in the first place?’ She gave him a regretful, sympathetic look. ‘That’s a sad way to go through life but I understand how you feel. I have the same fears sometimes. Maybe we should both try to be braver and learn to take a bit of a risk in our lives.’

  He gave her a wistful smile. ‘Maybe.’ His eyes darkened. ‘I’m beginning to realise there’s only one woman who could persuade me to take a chance on love...and that’s you, Sophie. You mean more to me than I can put into words. I couldn’t bear to lose you but I... After what my father put your family through, I’m not sure I deserve you.’

  Sophie’s eyes widened at the revelation. It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love but it was probably as near as he’d ever come to it. ‘You mustn’t think that way,’ she said. Her heart burned with longing. Would he one day be able to tell her what she wanted to hear—that he loved her every bit as much as she loved him?

  ‘I wish—’ He might have been about to say more but his phone began to trill and he looked down at the screen and read the text message there. ‘It’s my father,’ he said. ‘The doctor thinks I should go to see him. It sounds urgent.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  He stood up. ‘Thanks for the meal, Sophie. I’m glad Jessica and the baby are all right.’

  She went with him to the door and opened it to let him into the night. She didn’t want him to go but knew that he had no choice. Then, as he walked away from her along the path, she saw to her dismay that Jake was heading towards her. The two men crossed by each other on the path and she saw Nate look at Jake and frown before nodding to him and going on his way. What must he be thinking?

  It was more than likely he would be disturbed and concerned, jealous, even, but after what he’d just said to her, would he ever be persuaded that he could trust in her love? Could she ever hope to have a future with him?

  ‘Sophie,’ Jake said, coming over to her. ‘I hope you don’t mind me dropping in like this. I bought a present for Jessica’s baby—and some course notes for Rob. He was asking me about working in a hospital and what kind of courses he should follow.’

  ‘That’s brilliant, Jake. Thanks.’ She gave an inward sigh and braced herself. ‘Come in.’

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ‘DO YOU THINK Casey’s skin’s a better colour now, Sophie?’ In her room in the Maternity Unit Jessica held her baby close to her, unwrapping his shawl and lifting his vest to show his chest. ‘He was so yellow before with the jaundice but I think the treatment’s working, don’t you?’

  Sophie smiled. ‘Oh, yes...he looks much better now.’ He was a beautiful baby, with a sweet rosebud mouth and perfect little fingers that curled into fists.

  Jessica looked relieved. She wrapped the baby up warmly and held him against her. ‘I’ve been so worried. The last thing you want is for your baby to have to stay in hospital for treatment when he’s so tiny. Poor little man—having to have his eyes covered while he’s under the special lamp for two or three hours at a time.’

  ‘I would think he only needs a few more hours of phototherapy and then his levels of bilirubin will be back to normal,’ Sophie said. ‘I know it’s been difficult but he’s slept through it for the most part, so I don’t think it’s bothered him too much.’

  The midwife had explained the problem of jaundice to Jessica but as a new young mother she was understandably worried. Quite often in newborn babies it
was possible that the liver didn’t work all that efficiently for the first couple of weeks, so the level of bilirubin could build up in the blood. Usually, it cleared up on its own, but if that didn’t happen the baby could be given phototherapy. The light used in this treatment helped to change the bilirubin to a form that could be more easily broken down by the liver.

  ‘I’m so glad you and Ryan have been able to be here with me,’ Jessica said. ‘It’s made everything so much better. I know you have to work, but it’s been good having you come in several times a day to see us. And Mum will be coming again at the weekend. It’s all worked out far better than I expected.’

  ‘Of course it has. And I have everything waiting for you back at home when you’re ready to be discharged.’

  Her day’s work had ended some time ago and Sophie left her sister and the baby a little later, to go back to the cottage once more. If only the rest of her worries could be so easily resolved.

  She was anxious for Nate. While she and her family had celebrated a wonderful new addition to the family, his own situation had become tragic. His father’s health had steadily deteriorated and a few days ago Nate had broken the bad news to her that his father had passed away.

  ‘He had another heart attack,’ he’d said flatly. ‘I have a lot of things to deal with, so I probably won’t be able to see you for a while. I’m going to take a few days off work to make the funeral arrangements, and I have to get in touch with all my relatives. They’re scattered far and wide over the country, so I expect a good many of them will want to come and stay at the Manor for a while.’

  ‘Are you coping all right? Is there anything I can do?’ Sophie asked, but he’d been determined to manage by himself. She wanted to be with him but he’d shut himself away to grieve alone. Sophie’s only consolation was that Charlotte was with him and would do her best to comfort him and steer him through this difficult time.

  Back at the cottage Sophie prepared for the funeral that was being held next day. Nate had said he hoped she would be there. She’d picked out a black suit with a fitted jacket and a pencil-line skirt that she felt would be suitable for the occasion. Teamed with a grey silk blouse and black stiletto heels, she felt the outfit would give her a bit more confidence.

  Her father had received a formal invitation too, because he had been for a long time a trusted worker on Lord Branscombe’s estate. He showed the beautifully embossed card to Sophie. ‘It came with a letter too,’ he said. ‘I suppose that was thoughtful of Nate Branscombe—that personal touch—knowing how I felt about his father.’

  ‘Will you go to the service?’ Sophie had asked.

  To her surprise, he nodded. ‘Rob said he’ll take me. I thought about it long and hard before I made the decision. I’ve been bitter and resentful for such a long time, feeling that I was treated badly. All along, I blamed James for insisting I went on that flight with him, for not listening to reason when people told him he shouldn’t pilot the plane while he was feeling unwell...but the truth is, I should have refused to go with him. It was my own weakness in not standing up to him that led to me being in the position I’m in now. I only have myself to blame.’

  ‘Oh, Dad...’ Sophie’s voice broke in a sob as she knelt down beside her father’s wheelchair. ‘You’re not to blame for anything,’ she protested, laying a hand on his arm. ‘I think most people would have accepted his word for it that he felt he was up to it. He was your boss and in the end you went along with what he said because ultimately you trusted him to do the right thing.’

  She gently squeezed his arm, wanting to show her support. ‘You always did everything you thought was for the best...and you’ve worked so hard to try to walk again; you’ve been so stoical this last couple of years. I’m proud of the way you’ve pushed yourself. And you’re getting there... It’s taking a while but you will walk again. Rob’s told me how hard you’ve been working with him at your physio. You’re making progress all the while. Please don’t blame yourself for any of this.’

  He patted her hand. ‘You’re a sweet girl. You’ve always been there for me. I’m sorry I’ve given you such a hard time these last few weeks over James’s son. I suppose I’ve been harsh in judging Nate. None of this is his fault.’

  She looked at him in surprise. ‘Are you telling me you’ve changed your mind about him?’

  He shrugged awkwardly. ‘Let’s say I’m reserving my opinion of him. I heard the talk in the village about how you and he saved that little boy—the one who collapsed and couldn’t breathe. I know the child’s still in hospital but he’s a lot better, isn’t he? It made me think about Nate in a different way. And then I heard he got in touch with the mother’s family to make sure she had some support. Apparently her cousin has come over here to stay with her. They were good friends before they eventually lost touch with one another, the woman said.’

  Sophie’s eyes widened. ‘I hadn’t heard that—Nate didn’t say anything to me about it.’

  ‘Ah, well, the boy’s mother’s been chatting in the post office.’ He smiled. ‘You know how word gets around.’

  She nodded. ‘I do.’ It made her feel warm inside to know that Nate had done what he could to help the boy’s mother.

  The weather blessed them on the day of the funeral. Summer was drifting into autumn and the leaves on the trees were turning to red and gold. There was a faint breeze blowing but the sun put in an appearance through puffy white clouds so that the mourners could gather in peace. The service and the rest of the proceedings went without a hitch.

  Nate was immaculately dressed, surrounded by a host of relatives Sophie had never met before. He introduced her to them but the names soon became a blur. She smiled politely and made sympathetic comments and hoped that she was being of some help to Nate by being there alongside him.

  ‘I hadn’t expected so many people from the village to turn up,’ he commented as they ate canapés at the reception afterwards.

  ‘No, nor did I.’ She made a slight smile. ‘But I think your standing in the village has gone up lately, since you helped young Shaun...and since you outlined your plans to save the estate.’

  ‘Hmm... I only hope I’ll be able to live up to what I said back then.’ He was frowning and she looked at him curiously.

  ‘Is there a problem?’

  ‘I think there might be but I’m not sure how much of a setback it’s going to be. My father’s solicitor wants an urgent meeting with me. All I can say is that from the initial conversation I’ve had with him, the situation doesn’t sound promising.’

  She sucked in a quick breath. ‘Will you let me know if things change?’

  ‘Of course.’ He was solemn but his expression became taut all at once, and when she followed the line of his gaze, she saw he was looking directly at Jake. Jake was there as a mutual friend but it seemed Nate didn’t want to speak to him just then. ‘I’ll leave you two alone together,’ he said, excusing himself and moving away from her as Jake came towards them. ‘I should go and talk to some of my relatives.’

  ‘But Jake will be wanting to speak to you,’ she protested. ‘He’ll want to offer his condolences.’

  He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. He’s looking at you, Sophie. He’s been looking at you for the last half hour. Besides, I ought to circulate a bit.’

  Jake had been watching her? She was startled Nate had noticed something to which she’d been totally oblivious, but it was clear he wasn’t intending to stay around. Nate left her and went to speak to an uncle who had taken up a position by the buffet table.

  Sophie exhaled slowly and greeted Jake with a slight nod of her head. ‘Hi, Jake. I’m sorry we have to meet again on an occasion like this.’

  ‘Yes, me too.’ Jake studied her. ‘I hope you know what you’re doing with Nate. He let you down before and he’ll quite likely do it again.’

  ‘He didn’t l
et me down. I think he went away because he had to come to terms with what his father had done and he couldn’t bear to see the pain it caused our family. He tried to talk to me about it but I wasn’t ready to listen back then.’

  She laid a hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for looking out for me. You’ve always been a great friend to me,’ she said quietly. ‘One I’ll always treasure.’

  ‘Likewise.’

  She smiled. ‘Have you heard any more from Cheryl?’

  He shook his head. ‘A couple of emails. That’s all.’

  ‘Hmm. I think you were wrong about her wanting someone else. I happen to know that she’s very keen to meet up with you again.’ She lifted her brows. ‘I heard she was desperately hoping you might want to take her to the annual get-together next month.’

  He laughed. ‘You’re joking with me! How would you hear something like that?’

  ‘The hospital grapevine, you know? She confided in a friend, who told another friend, who spilled the beans to someone who works in Accounts.’

  A faint smile curved his mouth. Sophie knew she had set him thinking about a particular course of action but she said no more about it. Instead, she let her glance wander across the room to where Nate was standing. He was looking at her intently, frowning, but when she caught his gaze he turned away and spoke to his companion. He didn’t look at all happy, seeing her with Jake. Perhaps he’d misinterpreted their smiles and gestures. No matter what she’d told him to the contrary, he clearly believed she and Jake were an item.

  She didn’t see Nate again for a few days. When she tried phoning him, he was too busy to say much and she was left feeling dissatisfied and unhappy. She desperately wanted to be with him, to be able to comfort him, but it seemed he simply wanted to be left alone.

  He went to London to meet with his father’s solicitor and to have further talks with Peninsula. He hadn’t told Sophie what the talks were about, except to say that he wanted to clarify things after his father’s passing...but when she walked Charlie by the Manor one day and saw valuable paintings being loaded on to a prominent art dealer’s van, she guessed something was very wrong. This was a legitimate fine-art dealer from London. Selling the paintings had never been part of Nate’s plan to recover the estate.