Trust in Me (8 page)

“Delighted,” Marsha’s red lipstick smile scared him witless. “I’m Marsha Barton.” He took the hand she offered with caution – quite rightly as it turned out as she used the contact to pull him closer and smack a noisy kiss full on his lips. His nose twitched at the overpowering effect of the perfume she wore. Startled, he sprung back out of harm’s way, but at least his reaction confirmed he wasn’t turning into some out-of-control predator – it was only Rosie who tempted him to let down his defences.

“What about Alicia?” Rosie sounded irritated and he hoped it was because she didn’t like another woman kissing him, even if it was only a theatrical gesture Marsha probably made to everyone she met.

“Fabulous news, darling, she wants to come home to us. I told her we must have a party...”

“That is good news,” Rosie agreed.

“I thought you might be able to let her stay at Farnham House – I know it’s been empty since...well...since your father died. But it’s a good distance away from that awful Adam man – honestly, the way he treated that woman I can’t begin to understand...”

“It won’t be possible for Alicia to stay at Farnham House,” Theo interrupted and was rewarded by two female pairs of eyes pinning him quizzically in place. “I have plans for that place already. If Alicia Powell’s coming back to the estate, she’ll have to make do with one of the empty cottages.”

“I don’t know who you are, Theo Bradley, but I was speaking to Rosie. This has nothing to do with you.”

Theo let his breath out in a loud hiss. Not accustomed to having his authority questioned, he began to wonder if there was something in the water on the Farnham estate that made its females overly feisty.

There was an unmistakeable warning in Rosie’s green eyes and the shake of her head was barely perceptible as she silently warned him to say nothing. Of course, she hadn’t told her sister yet, so she wouldn’t want him to announce he was the new owner.

“Marsha, there’s no need to be rude,” Rosie’s voice was strained. “Why don’t you get Alicia to give me a ring to discuss where she can stay?”

Marsha flounced out in a huff and Rosie turned to face him. “Thank you for not saying anything.”

He gave a brief nod. “She seems a bit...er...high maintenance?”

Rosie’s short laugh held no humour. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“You prefer another way?”

“Marsha and her husband are a bit of a nightmare. The band got together when they were very young and the manager treated them all like children. And then they moved onto the estate and expected Dad to take care of them. They’ve never really grown up – and everything’s a drama in their world.”

“And nobody’s putting a stop to it?”

“What can we do? It’s the way they are. But it’s George I feel sorry for – he’s thinking of giving up a place at music college to stay and take care of them. He worries about them.”

As someone who had taken care of himself from a young age, Theo was shocked. He knew something should be done – particularly with George having to bear the burden of his parents’ irrational dependency. But, like Rosie, he had no idea what.

“What are you planning for Farnham House,” she asked, brining him away from his thoughts.

“I had a good look at it earlier, when George showed me around. Structurally it’s sound – definitely in better condition than the manor.”

He watched as she bit into her lower lip. “Dad kept it in fairly good order because that was where his girlfriends stayed. He didn’t want them in the manor – I don’t know if that was to protect me and Evie, or if he was ashamed of the state the building was in and it was easier to keep the house in order because it’s so much smaller.”

Theo suspected the latter. He was sure, from what he’d heard, Mick Farnham would only have had his own best interests at heart, but he said nothing on the matter – no point when the man was long dead. “I’ve got a team moving in tomorrow,” he explained. “They’re going to give the place a bit of a facelift. It’s mostly cosmetic, but they’re going to make it habitable for you and Evie.”

“No. I couldn’t possibly...”

“You can’t stay here, Rosie.”

***

“But Farnham House,” her nose wrinkled in distaste. Despite having lived on the estate all her life, she’d never been inside that house. As far as she was concerned, it was a place of sin and she had no desire to see it, let alone live in it.

“The manor’s going to have to undergo a complete renovation and, while it’s all going on, things aren’t going to be too pretty here. You could, of course, move into one of the cottages, but if you’re going to manage the place for me I think you should be away from the tenants.”

“What?” She was sure she couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“I think you should live away from the tenants.”

“No,” she practically screamed with frustration. “What did you say
before
that?”

He hesitated and she could have thrown something at his handsome head. “If you’re going to manage the place...”

She stared at him for just a moment before she took a running jump across the faded tiling of the office floor and threw herself at him – wound her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. As her face burrowed into his warm neck, the smell of his aftershave drawing her closer, she felt him still in shock. Not surprising, she was a little shocked herself. And then his arms came around her and he hugged her back.

“You mean it?”

“I’d never joke about something like that.”

Rosie was completely embarrassed to feel the threat of tears stinging at her eyes. But, really, Theo could have no idea of how much this meant to her. With this job offer, she and Evie now had the right to stay on the estate – they would have a proper place here without fear of eviction. Even if it did mean they’d have to move away from the manor and to the house her father had kept for his mistresses.

Realising she was still hugging him tightly, she became aware of a blush spreading over her entire body. She shouldn’t have done this, thrown herself at him. What must he think of her? She was suddenly supremely aware of how warm he felt, how strong his arms were around her – and how deliciously wonderful it felt to be held by him. Finding it hard to breathe, she was desperate to put an end to it, she let him go and slid down until her feet hit the floor. “Thank you,” she told him, trying bravely not to cry through a mixture of gratitude, relief and complete mortification.

“It’s not a favour, Rosie. I really think you’re the best person for the job. I’ll be going back to my real life soon and I need someone I can trust here. You’re the obvious choice – you’re hard working, you’re dedicated and you love the place.”

She wiped fiercely at her eyes with the back of her hands as she lost her battle to hold back tears. “I suppose I’d better speak to Evie.” She still didn’t know how her sister was going to take the news, but at least now Rosie had a concrete and positive solution to offer when she revealed they would have to leave the manor.

Theo stepped closer and lifted his hand uncertainly, as though he was going to wipe the tears from her cheek, before dropping it down by his side again. “Don’t cry, Rosie, please. This was supposed to make you happy – to reassure you that you had a future here for as long as I own the estate.”

She sniffed loudly. “I’m sorry. I just can’t believe you’re letting us stay.”

He shrugged helplessly and she made a monumental effort to regain her composure. Rosie never lost her cool like this – nobody had ever seen her cry. No matter how difficult the circumstances had been, she hadn’t allowed herself to shed tears in front of anyone. And yet, in their short acquaintance, Theo had witnessed her loss of composure on more than one occasion.

“I’ll speak to Evie after tea.”

Chapter Eight

Considering how adamant she’d always been that she wanted to stay at the manor, Evie was remarkably calm when Rosie broke the news as they cleared the dinner things. “The house is still on the estate,” she reasoned in response to Rosie wondering aloud about the change in Evie’s priorities.

“So your mum will be able to find you if she comes back.” It was years since Evie had spoken about her mother, Glory, but Rosie knew she must still hope.

“I’m not waiting for her to turn up anymore,” Evie replied matter-of-factly as she carried on with the washing-up. “I was thinking more of the sanctuary. I need to be on the estate – or close by, at least, for the donkeys.”

“I haven’t quite squared with Theo that we can keep the sanctuary.” With the admission, Rosie avoided her sister’s gaze.

There was a loud splash as Evie dropped a cup into the soapy water. “What?”

“I was too busy trying to secure our future. I haven’t actually spoken to him about the future of the sanctuary yet.” Although, judging by his reaction when he’d found out about the donkeys, she didn’t hold out much hope. Not that she was going to push him on the issue – he’d already conceded more than she could ever have hoped by offering her a job and a home.

Ridiculous though it sounded after her initial adverse reaction, she was beginning to like Theo Bradley. And his acquiring the estate could only be a good thing – whether the donkeys were allowed to stay or not. The place would be renovated and would thrive as profits were reinvested.

“I’ll speak to him,” Evie announced, drying her hands on a tea towel. “Where is he?”

“You can’t disturb him, he’s working. You can talk to him tomorrow.” But Rosie found she was talking to Evie’s retreating back as her sister headed off in the direction of the office.

With a sigh she walked to the sink and picked up the washing-up brush. She couldn’t be cross because, in Evie’s position, she would have done exactly the same thing. But she did wonder if Theo had any idea what he’d been letting himself in for when he’d decided to take on the Farnham women.

***

Rosie had guessed it wouldn’t take long for news of Theo’s stay at the Manor to spread. She didn’t stand a chance against Miss Morris – and a younger sister who had a foghorn where her mouth should be.

She didn’t, however, expect to see Julia in her office, just after lunch the next day. “I thought Sunday afternoon was your family time.”

“I’ve only popped over for five minutes,” Julia tucked a strand of her short blonde hair behind her ear as she flopped into the chair across the desk from Rosie. “Bob and Louise are getting to grips with tidying up the lunch things, so I thought I’d try to find out about this man you’ve moved into the manor.”

Rosie sighed. Having friends was one thing, but she was tired of not being able to so much as sneeze without it being discussed in minute detail by everyone within a five mile radius. “I haven’t moved a man in?”

“Really?” Julia looked so disappointed, Rosie would have laughed – if she wasn’t so annoyed.

“Theo hasn’t moved in. He’s only staying for a while to get to grips with the workings of the estate.”

Julie’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not usually how these things work, I’m sure.”

Rosie shrugged helplessly. “What could I do? He insisted and he owns the place.”

“I heard he’s hot.”

“So Evie tells me.”

Julia laughed. “Come on, Rosie. I know you’ve been living like a nun, but even you must know whether a man’s good looking.”

“Okay,” Rosie felt her cheeks glow softly. “He’s good looking.”

“Evie said he was
very
good looking.”

“Okay, he’s very good looking. And hot. In fact, he’s hot as hell. There are you happy now?”

“So, we’ve established he’s here, he’s attractive. Is he also single?”

She could see exactly where this conversation was going and she didn’t like it. “Yes.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

She stared her friend straight in the eye. Julia knew more than anyone why Rosie avoided romantic entanglements. “I’ve already had this conversation with Evie. I’m not looking for a man.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything serious. Just a fling.”

Rosie tried not to shudder. Her father had never had anything serious with any of his women – not even the ones he’d married. “I don’t have flings,” she declared, in much the same way she’d told Evie that she didn’t snog. But no-stings flings and snogging had never seemed as attractive as they did with Theo Bradley living under the same roof.

***

Of all the places Theo might have expected to be on a Sunday afternoon, taking care of a bunch of donkeys would have seemed the least likely. But that was before he’d met Rosie Farnham and her equally persuasive sister.

The younger Farnham had arrived at the estate office like a whirlwind last night and suggested his help would be very much appreciated. “None of the usual volunteers can make it tomorrow.”

“What about George?” he’d asked desperately.

“Too busy,” she replied cheerfully. “He puts in all the hours in can on the estate and doesn’t really have time to help.”

“But he does sometimes?”

She nodded. “Sometimes. But he’s way too busy this weekend.”

Theo had suspected an ulterior motive – and he guessed it would have something to do with convincing him to keep the sanctuary open.

As they arrived in the meadow, five pairs of curious eyes watched them approached. “They recognise you?” he was amazed as he watched the animals nuzzle closer.

“Of course,” she laughed, patting each soft head in turn. “They’re very intelligent animals.”

“What made you set up the sanctuary?”

“One of the tenants on the estate left Jessie behind when they moved on. We kept waiting for them to come back for her, but they never did. And she became a bit of a pet. One day, we heard of another donkey – Flora – looking for a home. We thought she’d be company for Jessie. The others were just sort of added along the way. Izzy and Chloe are sisters and arrived together. And, last of all, Mr Kennedy.”

“There must be a great deal of work involved,” Theo said. “Cost, too.” He frowned. Rosie was struggling to keep food on the table, on what planet was it a good idea to introduce the upkeep of expensive animals into the mix?

She nodded. “It is hard work, but worth it. Me and my friend Louise run the place – and we’ve recruited some volunteers who help out. We try to keep expenses to a minimum. Luckily, they don’t eat much. And Louise’s dad is a vet, so he’s agreed to look after the donkeys free of charge.”