She wracked her mind, trying to think of another route but, just as before, her lack of Ordinance Survey skills meant she was forced to stick to the roads she knew. After a few minutes, she got out, irritated, and stomped over to the Land Rover, her jeans and jumper quickly soaking through.
She knocked on the window and peered inside. The vehicle had been abandoned.
‘Anna,’ came a voice from behind her and she turned quickly on her heels.
She saw Horatio moving hurriedly towards her. ‘I thought you had already left,’ he said, his breathing heavy as he stopped. ‘Richard said you left hours ago.’
Anna shook her head in disbelief. ‘Is this yours?’ She indicated the Land Rover.
‘Yes.’ He nodded. ‘I left it here blocking the road when I ran up to the cottage. Diane told me you had only just gone and to hurry.’
Anna clenched her fists, her nerves fizzing with bottled-up hurt and confusion. ‘You can’t stop me from going.’
‘I know.’ He hung his head. ‘But I needed you to hear me out.’
‘Mr Horatio, it is pouring with rain and I am due to meet an estate agent in London in forty minutes. He’s sent me details of a flat that would really suit us and I don’t want to risk losing it. So, as you are effectively breaking the law…’ She pointed to his Land Rover. ‘Can you please get your car out of the sodding way?’
Another car had come up behind Anna’s and a woman stuck her head out of the window. ‘Is there a problem?’ she called over.
‘Move your car,’ Anna warned.
Horatio looked at Anna, back at the woman and relented, before jogging over to the Land Rover and manoeuvring it to the side. The lady waved as she passed, flashing an appreciative smile, and Anna started to walk back to her own car.
Horatio ran back over and put a hand on her arm. ‘Please, Anna. Hear me out.’
She stopped, tears mingling with the rain on her cheeks, and the more she willed herself not to cry, the more she did. ‘Please don’t hurt me any more.’
‘God, Anna,’ he said, turning her towards him, ‘I’m an idiot. I never meant to hurt you. I should have stood up to her. To my mother.’ He nodded. ‘I have now. We’ve just had a huge argument and she’s…’ He paused. ‘She’s disinherited me’
‘What? Why did you argue?’
‘Because I told her I wanted to be with you.’ He paused. ‘I told her I love you.’
Anna pointlessly wiped tears from her face as the rain continued to come down. ‘She can’t do that, can she? You manage the accounts, how is that even possible?’
‘Because my father left everything in trust funds until my mother dies or chooses to give me the money and my share of the property.’
‘She just told you to go?’ Anna crossed her arms. ‘What kind of mother does that?’ She looked at him sternly. ‘You can’t have done that just for me?’
He nodded. ‘She said it was my choice but that she couldn’t stand by me. She said if I didn’t marry Arabella, that she would have to cut me off.’ He placed his hands gently on her cheeks, cradling her face. ‘I’m homeless, but Anna…’ His voice filled with desperation. ‘I can make this work. Don’t give up on me. I could manage a local farm or whatever. Please have me.’ He looked at her. ‘I’d do anything to prove to you that I can provide, that I love you, that I want you to be a part of my life for ever.’
‘Your stepbrother wants to make me homeless too and that’s why I must get to London and find a flat.’
Horatio nodded. ‘I tried to talk to him just now about contesting the will and he’s…’ His voice trailed off. ‘He’s not budging at the moment.’
‘I don’t know if I can risk being hurt again. Only yesterday, you told me you loved me and then, with your mother, you as good as denied it. How do you think that made me feel?’ She looked at him, her chin quivering with emotion. ‘Humiliated, Mr Horatio, that’s how that made me feel, and I’m tired of men humiliating me.’ A sob escaped her throat and she moved towards her car again.
He ran in front of her. ‘Anna, I never meant to do that. Please believe me. I should have been stronger. I spoke to her after you left and that’s when we had the argument. But you’re right…’ He lowered his gaze. ‘I should never have let her speak to you like that.’
‘I want to be left alone.’ She looked up at him before climbing into the car. ‘Please.’
He looked at her, his face crestfallen, and nodded. ‘Of course.’
Horatio stepped to the side and Anna got into the car. She sat watching him in the rain as he refused to meet her gaze, and inadvertently felt for the gold chain her aunt had given her with the letter. She glanced at the heart locket and realised she had never opened it. Gently snapping it open, she found a small piece of paper folded over, on which her aunt had written one line: ‘Find your happy ever after.’
She clicked it shut again, fresh tears welling in her eyes. Anna went to turn the key but stopped and looked at Horatio once more. After a few seconds, she got out of the car and walked towards him. He had his back to her as he watched the fast-flowing river.
‘Mr Horatio.’
He turned and looked at her, a glimmer of hope crossing his face. ‘You’re going to be late.’
‘Where were you going to stay tonight?’ she said, her heart beating faster.
‘In the Land Rover.’
‘Well, how about you come to Primrose Cottage?’
‘You mean…?’
She nodded and strode towards him, stopping when her face was inches from his own. ‘I mean, let’s take one day at a time.’
He smiled, tears glistening in his eyes, and brought his lips to hers. Horatio kissed her gently, causing Anna’s stomach to stir. ‘I won’t ever let you down.’
Anna drove up to the house first, followed by Horatio in his Land Rover. Diane was already waiting on the doorstep.
‘So, that was quick. London not up to much?’ She smiled. ‘You must stop the dramatics, Anna.’
Her mother came out, a bottle of bubbly in hand. ‘Let’s toast Horatio’s ridiculous amount of patience at my daughter’s threatening to leave, not once, not twice, but three times.’
They all moved inside and the twins ran up to Anna, hugging her around the waist.
‘Mummy,’ Freddie said after a few minutes, ‘Grandma Linda said I can live with Jeremy now. How cool is that? Where is Jeremy?’
Anna shot her mother a look. ‘Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll take each day as it comes.’
Horatio smiled at her and ruffled Freddie and Antonia’s hair. ‘Staying with a friend of mine tonight.’ He paused and looked at them. ‘So, I bet you’re glad Mummy’s back?’
They nodded.
‘Yeah,’ said Antonia, ‘because Auntie Dee said if Mummy didn’t come home, she was going to sing to us all day and night.’ She pulled a face. ‘Auntie Dee is really bad at singing.’
Diane trotted over. ‘Kids are cruel.’ She handed Anna and Horatio glasses of champagne. ‘Here’s to you two being non-cousins and obnoxiously cute together.’
‘Thanks, Dee.’ Anna paused. ‘Horatio can’t go home. He had a huge argument with his mother—’
‘The old bat chucked you out, did she?’ Diane said, drinking her orange juice. ‘Well, you’re better off here anyway.’
‘That’s what I was going to say.’ Anna paused, looking at Horatio. ‘He’ll be staying here tonight so…’
‘So, can I sleep with Linda tonight?’ Diane laughed. ‘For you, I will do that, but Linda, you’ll have to turn the foghorn that is your snore down, yeah?’
‘I don’t snore,’ her mother said. ‘Tony says I snuffle, which is much nicer.’
‘Tony doesn’t speak,’ Anna pointed out.
‘No, but I can tell that’s what he means.’
‘This house is too small for all of us but it’ll do for now,’ said Anna.
‘The more the merrier, that’s what I say,’ said Diane, standing by the window, peerin
g out. ‘Maybe I spoke too soon. Looks like we’ve got company.’
‘Who is it?’
A knock sounded at the door and Anna opened it wide, glass in hand.
‘Lady Spencerville,’ she greeted the woman coldly.
‘Anna,’ came the equally cool response. ‘I wonder if I might have a word, if I’m not interrupting the celebrations?’
‘Of course.’ Anna looked at Horatio quickly and he nodded. ‘Come in.’
Lady Spencerville stepped gingerly into the cottage and looked around the room, her gaze coming to rest on Horatio. ‘I might have know it wouldn’t take you long.’
‘Mother, I have nothing more to say to you. I’ve made my choice, you’ve made yours.’
Diane and her mother made a swift exit to the kitchen, but not before Diane threatened Lady Spencerville, ‘Any problems and I’ll be forced to get Freddie’s water gun out again.’
Lady Spencerville looked around her. ‘So, this is where your aunt and my husband whiled away their time, is it?’ She grimaced. ‘Not very classy, is it?’
‘Lady Spencerville,’ Anna approached her, ‘what have you come here for?’
‘I’ve come to tell Horatio he must speak to Lady Arabella Ashford at once. She’s just been up to the house and broken off the engagement because she got wind of your,’ she batted a hand at them, ‘whatever you want to call this sordid business.’
‘This,’ Horatio came forward, ‘is the woman I love and intend to marry.’
Anna, having taken a gulp of champagne to wet her dry mouth, choked.
‘Looks as if Anna is less impressed with your plans,’ Lady Spencerville said drily.
‘Really?’ Anna said, ignoring Lady Spencerville.
He looked deep into her eyes. ‘Really.’
Anna grinned and turned back to Lady Spencerville. ‘We’re very happy, so if there’s nothing more you’ve come to say, then please leave.’ When Horatio’s mother didn’t move, she pulled the door wider. ‘You know, if you had managed to make Horatio marry Lady Ashford, history would be repeating itself once more.’
‘What’s that meant to mean?’ Lady Spencerville looked at her.
‘I mean, I’ve heard you were forced to marry Frank Spencerville and, while I’m sure you were happy, Frank found solace in my aunt.’
Lady Spencerville flushed with anger. ‘How dare you.’
Anna drew a laboured breath before gesturing outside. ‘Please leave.’
Lady Spencerville gave Horatio one last look before bustling from the cottage to her chauffeur-driven car.
More the Birds, Less the Bees
That night, when the twins were safely tucked up in bed and Diane and Linda had finished arguing about who was sleeping on which side, Horatio and Anna found themselves alone, in front of the fire. He was watching her as she sipped at a small tumbler of whisky.
‘So, tell me, did you really send the diary to the newspaper?’
Anna smiled slowly. ‘Of course not. I wouldn’t do that to my aunt, but I did think about it.’
He chuckled. ‘Mother’s living in fear of finding it in print. I think she imagines it’ll come out one sordid episode a week in the Mail on Sunday.’
‘Well,’ Anna admitted, ‘I don’t know why I said it. I think it’s because I knew it was the only way I could get to her.’
He brushed her cheek with his finger. ‘You’re so beautiful.’
‘What are we going to do?’ she said, meeting his gaze. ‘I mean, if Richard gets this cottage, then we’ll have to start looking for somewhere to live. Mum can head back to her house, Diane has nowhere to go, but she’s most likely going to stay around here with Larry, and then there’s us.’ She smiled. ‘I’m afraid I’m no Lady Arabella.’
‘You are everything,’ he said solemnly. ‘I’m sorry my mother is being like this. She’s told me I have to move everything out of the house I live in up on the estate within the week.’ He frowned. ‘I’m not sure that’s even physically possible.’
‘Your father wouldn’t be happy about this,’ Anna said softly. ‘If he were here.’
‘No.’ Horatio clenched his jaw. ‘He wouldn’t.’ Looking back at her, he moved his arm around her shoulders and gently stroked her hair. ‘I’m glad you stayed.’ He smiled. ‘I mean, I’d go anywhere with you, but I’m just glad you’re here with me.’
‘You know you told me that your wife…’ Her voice tailed off.
‘Yes.’ He nodded.
‘How do you ever recover from something like that?’
‘I did it for Jeremy.’ He bit his lip. ‘But, in the beginning, I was a mess. I barely ate, barely slept. Jeremy was my reason to live, he held me together.’
Anna exhaled deeply. ‘It must have been awful.’
‘It was.’ He looked at her. ‘But you had to cope without anyone else in your life.’
‘But I never had anyone to lose…’ She met his gaze. ‘Until now.’ Anna pulled away slightly. ‘I can’t afford to get hurt again. Can you understand that? It’s taken a lot to get even this far.’ A single tear rolled down her cheek. ‘I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sat alone at night and watched the twins sleeping, thinking, are they OK? Have I failed them?’
‘You haven’t.’ He shook his head firmly.
‘It’s what I’ve often wondered.’
He stopped stroking her hair. ‘Do you think they’re happy here?’
Anna nodded. ‘Yes. Yes, I really do. I didn’t realise how attached they’ve already become to this place and their school before today.’
‘So, there you go.’ He smiled gently. ‘You did that. You made them happy by bringing them here. Though I know they’d be happy wherever, as long as you were in sight.’
‘How about Jeremy?’
‘He’s happy now. We often talk about his mum.’ He swallowed hard. ‘I told you her name was Sophia. Soph for short.’ He smiled. ‘I didn’t want to talk about her ever again, after she died. It was too painful. But Jeremy kept her alive.’ He nodded and stared into his glass. ‘I’m glad of that.’ He paused. ‘You said earlier, you don’t know if you can trust me.’ She nodded. ‘I understand that. You’ve had a lot of things to deal with and you don’t need a man in your life. That much is obvious.’
She pulled away from him, completely now. ‘What’s that meant to mean?’
‘I mean,’ he said, gently tugging her towards him again. ‘You’re a strong and independent woman. In fact, all three of you are. You, your mum and Diane.’ He laughed softly. ‘Quite extraordinary.’ Kissing her on the top of her head, he murmured, ‘My point is that I recognise that and wouldn’t want to take that away from you. I only want to show you how much I love you, and maybe one day you can love me too.’
‘It’s not that I don’t love you, it’s just that I’m sc…’ she began to say.
‘Shhh.’ He put his forefinger gently over her lips. ‘I know. Remember what you said, one day at a time.’
He slid his finger down her chin and tilted her head upward as he brought his lips down to hers, kissing her firmly. Anna’s stomach flip-flopped and she responded to his increasing urgency. He stood and held his hand out and she took it, her body tingling with desire.
They had barely made it to the foot of the stairs when her mother stormed out of her bedroom and down the stairs, pushing past them.
The moment had been broken and she flashed Horatio an apologetic smile.
‘Everything OK, Linda?’ he said.
She turned and glanced at their entwined hands. ‘I suppose you two were just heading upstairs.’
‘Yes, quite tired now,’ Anna said, faking a yawn.
‘Yes, well, me too and Dee hasn’t even got into bed yet… because she says she has to recite the alphabet backwards three times or else she’ll have nightmares.’
‘Oh, yeah,’ Anna said, ‘I forgot to mention her routine, didn’t I? I’ve just got used to it.’
Her mother put her hands over her face in distress, her c
urlers bouncing up and down in her hair as she tried to slow her breathing down.
‘Don’t hyperventilate, Mum,’ Anna said. ‘It’s not worth it.’
‘No, not worth it is Diane’s reciting the alphabet backwards and now she’s trying it in French.’ She paused, shooting them a look of incredulity. ‘French? This house is just too small for all of us.’ She sat on the sofa, pulling the throw over her. ‘I’ll sleep down here where I can get some peace and quiet.’
‘I didn’t even know Dee spoke any French.’
‘She doesn’t,’ her mother said, settling on the sofa. ‘That’s why it’s so goddamn painful.’ She looked at them. ‘Tony lets me have a full night’s sleep. He understands you don’t always have to talk, that there are some moments meant for quiet.’
‘Yes, but does he understand there are some moments where speaking might help?’ Anna said and followed Horatio up the stairs. ‘Goodnight, Mum.’
Once safely ensconced in the narrow bed upstairs, Horatio held Anna close to him.
‘I don’t think I can,’ she said. ‘You know. Not with mum downstairs, the twins upstairs, Dee reciting French next door.’
Horatio cuddled closer to her. ‘I’m happy to wait. I would wait for ever.’
As she was dropping off, she rolled over and murmured, ‘Did you speak to Lucinda today, by the way?’
‘No.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘Why?’
She rolled back over and smiled. ‘No reason, no reason at all.’
Anna hadn’t felt so safe in a long time and she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, she watched him sleeping peacefully as she slipped on her dressing gown and pink fluffy boots before heading downstairs.
She had barely made it into the kitchen when Diane came right up to her. ‘I want to hear everything. I mean everything,’ she whispered.
Her mother, curlers still in, turned. ‘Come on,’ she said, perhaps too loudly, ‘we want all the details.’
‘Mum,’ Anna warned quietly, putting her finger over her lips. ‘Actually we didn’t, and even if we did, I wouldn’t tell you all that private detail.’
The Little Cottage in the Country Page 24