by Georgia Rose
“I told you what would happen if you kept knocking on my door and running away, young man,” his growling tone sounding severe, but Reuben was now giggling so much it was obviously all in jest. Trent put him down and he scooted off, probably to get up to mischief elsewhere as Trent went over to Cavendish, shaking his hand in welcome, then kissing Grace on the cheek. Cavendish handed him a drink while Grace apologised for her son’s behaviour, although it sounded like that might be something she was used to doing to Trent as he responded with, “If it isn’t that, it’ll only be something else, don’t worry about it.”
“It’s because he idolises you. You know that. It’s all we hear, Trent this and Trent that.”
“That’s as it should be between us so it’s no problem,” Trent replied, then raising his glass to them he said, “Cheers,” before glancing round the room for the first time to see who was there. He nodded at me when our eyes met and I replied in the same manner.
We mingled for a while, catching up on each other’s news, and Sophia and Reuben came round with plates of nibbles which were very welcome as the champagne was going down only too well.
Grace announced we were going to open the presents so our attention turned to the tree, and the children were put in charge of handing them out. I sat on the arm of a settee out of the way and Sophia soon bounced up to me with one that was about the size of a large, thick book but felt soft, with hard, oddly shaped lumps in it. I opened it, intrigued, to find a make-up bag bulging with products which were all rather daunting, but I knew immediately who’d given it to me. I looked up smiling to find Greene watching me, and as my eyes met hers she looked away immediately, trying to look anywhere other than at me. Greene had commented on my lack of using make-up on more than one occasion, accusing me of not making the most of myself – whatever that meant. So I knew it was her and when I eventually managed to catch her eye I mouthed thank you, although she continued to maintain her innocence for a while. I wasn’t sure it was a present I’d get much use out of, and I’d also have to discuss with her later the fact that I had no idea how to apply the stuff. I was sure she’d love to have that as an excuse to take me in hand, which I wasn’t so sure I would find at all enjoyable.
There was a lot of chatter around me now as presents were opened and their contents shown to neighbours and admired. I was still sitting on the arm of the settee, quiet among the mayhem, when I saw Reuben hand Trent his gift on the other side of the room. Reuben was obviously keenly interested in what Trent had been given so stayed close to him, watching carefully. Trent crouched down on his haunches to be at Reuben’s level so he could show him. He carefully pulled one end of the ribbon tied round the present to release it and then tore off the paper revealing a small box. Lifting one side of the lid a little way, slowly opening and closing it a couple of times, he teased Reuben, who was trying to peer inside first and whose eyes then opened wide when it was eventually opened fully and he saw what was in there. Trent lifted out the solid silver key fob I’d bought him in the shape of a Mark 2 Jaguar and as he looked at it a broad smile lit up his face. He was quite dazzling when he smiled like that and as I watched him show it to Reuben, explaining what it was to him, he looked up, meeting my eyes across the room, holding them for a moment, until I suddenly remembered this was meant to be anonymous and hastily looked away, busying myself in admiring someone else’s present.
A little while later Mrs F called to a few of us, me included, to come and help her finish off in the kitchen, so we all got to work bringing everything to a head then carried it all through to the dining room. Everyone else was already coming through from the drawing room, taking their seats round the fortuitously long and elegantly decorated table. There didn’t seem to be any sort of table plan so once I’d deposited my dishes of food on the table I looked round for a place to sit. Trent stood opposite me and having just placed his hand on the back of the chair in front of him, started to indicate to me that the seats either side of him were still free, but before he could utter a word Burton appeared to his left and Summers to his right, claiming both their places and hopefully their man, I guessed was their plan. He glanced at me a little bemused and I stifled the smile that came to my lips as he chivalrously pulled out their chairs, taking his place between them.
My hand was then grabbed by Carlton a couple of places down from where I stood, who had quite by chance got a seat free next to him, so I filled that. Greene was on the other side of him, which I was pleased to see. The dinner was delicious, traditional roast turkey and beef with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding and mince pies both served with rich dollops of thick cream. The wine flowed, as did the conversation and laughter. It was hugely entertaining, particularly being sat next to Carlton who regaled the table with such hilarious stories several people had to wipe away tears from laughing so much, myself included. Carlton turned to me later, obvious delight in his face at his success in making me laugh to such an extent.
“I knew I’d break you eventually,” he murmured, leaning closer to me, his arm stretched across the back of my chair.
“It was impossible to resist any longer,” I joked back at him.
“Oh, if only that were true…yet you seem to be intent on doing so.” His expression became serious as his eyes locked on mine and I realised we were no longer talking about the same thing. I looked down.
“Carlton…I…” and I didn’t know what to say.
“It’s all right…I know,” he sighed, whispering so close to my ear I could feel his warm breath, and as he pulled back his lips brushed my cheek, leaving the briefest of kisses in their wake. He gazed at me, his smile back in place but with a trace of sadness in his eyes. He reassuringly winked at me in his familiar cheeky way before turning his attention to the rest of the table once more.
I was a little flustered and pleased to see that our exchange seemed to have gone unnoticed by the rest of the table – although of course it hadn’t. As I looked across I caught the look on Trent’s face, his jaw clenched, his eyes dark as he stared at me with such intensity I had to look away.
Dinner was eventually cleared and after helping with this I was shooed out of the kitchen. I knew I needed to be heading back to the stables anyway so went to the drawing room which was now quiet and peaceful to collect my cardigan and present. I glanced out of the window and saw a herd of deer on the parkland only a short distance away, so I stood watching them for a moment, enjoying the tranquillity after all the excitement. I felt, rather than saw, Trent appear by my side, relaxed and with his hands in his pockets, as he too stared out of the window. He leant closer to me, saying quietly, “You look lovely.”
I looked round at him, smiling shyly. “Thank you, I’m not used to being so dressed up.”
“You look great. I wanted to catch you before you left to thank you for my present.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I said innocently.
“I knew it was from you as soon as I saw it. No one else would’ve been that thoughtful.”
“No problem, I’m glad you like it…you’re a difficult man to buy for.”
“So I gather. Usually I get socks…or a belt,” and he smiled again. “Did you enjoy it today? It was good to hear you laughing.”
“I did, very much, Carlton is so funny.”
“Yes he is…and he seems very keen on you.”
I got the distinct feeling Trent was fishing, so shrugging, I replied, “Maybe…but I’m not capable of giving him what he wants so I’m afraid I’ve disappointed him again with my insistence on not wanting to get involved with anyone…” And there it was, I’d made myself as clear as I could.
“Right…I see…well, I’m sure he’ll get over it.” The briefest of smiles came to his lips as he said this, and I was not sure if he was still talking about Carlton.
“I must be off, I need to get evening stables done, although I’ll probably float through the routine this evening the amount of wine I’ve had.” I smiled as I left the ro
om, briefly glancing back to see he’d turned to look out of the window again. I went to find Cavendish and Grace to thank them for their hospitality and left soon after to walk back to the stables.
I was feeling warm and slightly heady after such a convivial day and Susie was delighted to see me back. I changed, got the stables done quickly and with everyone settled for the evening, curled up to watch a film. Though I had difficulty concentrating on it – my thoughts kept returning to my conversation with Trent. There was no doubt my feelings towards him were getting confused and I didn’t want that in my life. I’d been adamant when I’d come here that I wasn’t going to let anyone close to me and reasoning with myself now I decided that just because I felt a physical attraction towards him that wasn’t a good enough reason to risk the chance of being hurt again – my wounds were barely healed from last time.
Chapter 11
A few days later I rode out one frosty morning with Grace and the children. Sophia and Reuben were lagging behind and Grace and I were discussing the events of Christmas Day. I mentioned the banter between Trent and Reuben and how well they got on and Grace explained.
“He’s good with both the children. He’s their godfather and takes his responsibilities very seriously.”
“I hadn’t realised that, you’re obviously very close to him then.”
Grace turned to me, saying earnestly, as if trying to convince me of something, “Trent’s a good man and our best friend. We owe him everything.” I frowned, a little surprised by her candour.
“Do you mind if I ask what you mean by ‘everything’?” I queried, and she looked a little flustered.
“I’m sorry, I’ve spoken out of turn, I’d better leave it there. He’s also a very private man and wouldn’t appreciate me telling you. It’s his story after all and, if and when it’s appropriate, no doubt he’ll tell you of our history. I’m just so fond of him and want him to find happiness so much that I get a little carried away sometimes. Forgive me, I shouldn’t have been so gossipy.”
I smiled at her. “Not a problem, you’re hardly a gossip. Actually I’m starting to get cold so we’d better get everyone moving a bit quicker.” I called to the children to indicate that we were going to trot. I thought it was probably wise to move off the subject of Trent with Grace. I hoped she wasn’t pinning her hopes on him finding happiness with me; for one horrible moment I’d thought she was going to ask me what I thought of him and I wouldn’t have known what to say. It wasn’t clear in my own mind what I thought of him anymore. My head was telling me one thing but the truth was that my heart was starting to tell me something very different.
When we got back to the stables and had put the horses away, I gave the children their presents. I’d bought them both an equestrian multi-tool, which was a hoof pick that folded in half so it was safe to carry when riding and there was also built into the handle a small, single blade that folded into it like a penknife, to be used presumably for cutting such things as baler twine. It was a useful tool to carry when out riding and they were both very pleased and even more delighted when they found they fitted into the small pockets in their jodhpurs.
The weather turned icily cold when the children had gone back to school which made everyday life that little bit more difficult to deal with, as all types of bad weather does when caring for animals. Although I didn’t have to spend time trying to get the rugs dry every day, I did, however, have to go out to the paddock to smash through the ice in the water trough, spread salt round the yard and carry hay out to the field.
My birthday was due to fall on a Monday, although no one knew about it, and I had no plans to acknowledge it in any way. Alex had made the effort to contact me each year, which I hadn’t exactly welcomed, and I wondered for the first time when, or even if, he’d found out I’d moved and what he would make of that.
I’d woken to another dark and frosty morning which always made it a bit difficult for me to get going. I carried out my routine jobs but unusually rode out twice as the family had been hunting on the Saturday, so the horses had had their rest day on the Sunday instead. It was still bitterly cold when I finished my morning’s work, even though it was now quite bright, and I was looking forward to having soup for lunch to warm me up. I’d had to take some hay out for the ponies and break the ice on the trough again and now went back to the cottage, rubbing my hands together to try and warm them up.
Sighing with relief when I walked into my toasty, warm kitchen, I stopped with a start when I saw there was a bouquet of flowers next to a hamper on the table. Opening the basket there was a flask, which on examination contained hot tomato soup, and next to the flask a couple of still-warm rolls. There was a container of some sort of chicken casserole and at the bottom was a large box in which there was a Victoria sandwich cake with ‘Happy Birthday’ written in icing across the top. I looked at that for a moment, my eyes narrowing in thought.
A few minutes later, having put the flowers in a vase and placed that back on the table, I was sitting eating the soup and rolls, both delicious, when there was a knock at the door. Susie started her low growl and when I yelled, “Come in,” Trent entered. He frowned at Susie, who I told to be quiet, and looked over at me.
“Happy birthday.”
“Ah, it was you who tipped them off – my background search,” as the pieces fell into place and I showed him what had magically arrived in my cottage.
“Excellent,” he said, then corrected me. “And it was your CV actually. Here’s a little something to add to your day.” He handed me a small package wrapped in a matt-silver paper with a curly shiny pattern running through it.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, a little surprised as I felt myself blushing. “This is unexpected.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would have something to open today, so I thought after my lovely gift at Christmas…” and he held up his hand with the keys hanging off one finger showing me the key fob attached, “I should reciprocate.”
I unwrapped the present, carefully lifting the lid on the box within to find a pretty set of necklace and earrings. There was a silver flower hanging from the necklace made up of five petals which had a slight sparkle to them and were curled realistically to resemble a real flower, and hanging below the flower were three warm, deep red gems. The flowers on the earrings were much smaller, being just large enough to cover an earlobe, and had one matching gem hanging from them.
“How beautiful, Trent, thank you.”
“They are garnets, your birthstone,” he explained.
“Oh, I didn’t know I had such a thing.”
“Ah, well you do, although I’m not sure they’re quite the thing to wear with jeans and tee shirts but maybe someday it will be the right time and place for you to put them on.”
“Mmm….” I murmured thoughtfully, then looking up at him I asked, “Would you like to join me for lunch? It’s only soup but it is Mrs F’s soup and there’s a lot left.”
“Sounds good, thanks,” and with that I took another bowl out of the cupboard and poured some soup into it while he took a seat at the table.
“Help yourself to a roll.”
We chatted as we ate about inconsequential things and I enjoyed having the company, which was an unexpected feeling. Leaving after lunch and taking a piece of cake with him, I had to admit he made for interesting company; he was a complex character I found difficult to read which, rather than irritating me, I was finding rather fascinating.
I knew practically nothing about him; however, I did know I was letting him get too close to me which made me anxious. He’d shown he could be kind and thoughtful, but that was the nature of this place, and I knew I shouldn’t read anything into it – he probably treated everyone else here like that as well. I also knew he could be intimidating, controlling and frequently infuriating, but I couldn’t deny there was something between us, some sort of pull that was confusing me.
Why I was even spending time thinking about this I didn’t know. What I felt was irrelevant con
sidering the fact that he’d not given me any indication he might feel the same. In fact quite the opposite, he seemed to be unaffected by my presence, continuing to project the same appearance of cool, calm self-assurance, unruffled by anything or anyone around him. Even when we’d clashed he was always in control, which had tended to make me become even more annoyed with him.
As it happened both he and Cavendish were then away for a few weeks, doing whatever it was that they did, so I chose to ignore how confused I was by my feelings, burying my head in my work in the hope it would all just go away.
At the end of February, Cavendish had been back for a week or so and the whole family had gone hunting. The day had started damp and miserable and as it wore on the chill came down and they were cold and tired when they got back. After unloading I herded them all off home while I sorted the horses out, and once they were all eating and settled, I went in to watch some television.
I went out later to do the watering, wrapping up warmly as the temperature had dropped considerably, and as soon as I looked over Monty’s stable door I knew I had a problem. He’d broken out in a sweat and kept looking round at his abdomen; I could see he’d been pawing at the ground and had already rolled as his bed was a mess. I was sure he had colic and would need the vet. Quickly checking on the others to make sure they were all fine, I then grabbed a head collar, returned to Monty and slipped it on, speaking softly to him as I did, trying to reassure him. Leading him out of the box I started walking him round the yard to keep him moving and prevent him from rolling. With my free hand I called the vet’s surgery and went through to the emergency cover, where speaking to the vet on call I explained the symptoms to him. I thought the colic had most likely been brought on by the excitement and exertion of hunting that day; the vet agreed that it was most likely to be the cause but he confirmed he’d come out immediately and, after making sure he knew his way through the farm, I hung up and concentrated on Monty.