Trust in Me (11 page)

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

Rosie stood firm with hands on hips. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Wild crowds. Noise. There might even be fighting. It wouldn’t be a suitable environment for a fifteen-year-old.”

“Have you ever been to any of these parties?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I haven’t.”

“Then how do you actually know the environment will be unsuitable?” He wasn’t being awkward – he genuinely thought it would be a good idea to attend the party and he couldn’t understand her reluctance. It would be a gentle introduction for him to the estate inhabitants. Besides, the prospect of another evening out with Rosie held a massive appeal.

“I know what they’re like,” she argued.

“Okay, how about the three of us show our faces – just for an hour. We’ll leave long before there’s an opportunity for things to get out of hand. You know I wouldn’t suggest taking you or Evie into a danger zone.”

She was thinking about it, he was pleased to see. “Just for an hour?”

“Definitely no more than an hour. They need to see me around the place. I don’t want to make a big announcement – I’d rather slip quietly into estate life. And this will give me an opportunity to do just that. And for us to show we’re a team.”

“Okay.” She was still reluctant, but at least she’d agreed. “But only for an hour. And any sign of trouble...”

“We’ll leave straight away.”

***

It was the music that hit them first – a wall of pure sound that reverberated through the airspace and assaulted them square in the face as they entered the old barn. Rosie tried not to smile as she noticed Theo reel back.

“They like it loud,” she shouted by way of explanation. “Come and sit and I’ll fetch you a drink.”

She led the way to a table in the corner – farthest away from the noisy speakers. “I don’t want to sit way back here,” Evie complained.

“You’re lucky you’re here at all,” Rosie countered and was grateful when Evie nodded her agreement.

“I know,” she admitted. “But I’m going to have a word with Alicia to welcome her home before I’m forced to sit it out with you lot at the back like some hermit.”

Rosie smiled despite herself. Only Evie would have considered sitting in on this lively party as being in the least hermit like. As far as Rosie was concerned, it was wild living.

She pushed her way to the makeshift bar and picking up a beer for Theo and a diet cola each for herself and Evie.

She’d had reservations about coming here tonight, but her sister had pleaded and coaxed. And when Theo had added his voice – pointing out it would be a good opportunity to present a united front – Rosie had eventually given in.

But they were only staying for a short while, only long enough to mark Alicia’s return, and Rosie had made sure Evie understood that. She was lucky her sister was rarely a sulky teenager, even if she did like to argue her point. She’d accepted Rosie’s final rulings with good grace and had agreed they would leave after a short while.

“Our darling Alicia is returned to us,” Marsha swooped as soon as Rosie returned to the table. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

Rosie smiled. “Yes, terrific.”

“I was worried this day would never arrive. I’ve missed her so much.” With a satisfied smile, Marsha floated off – obviously pleased to have her friend and confidant back on the estate.

And Rosie was pleased, too – Alicia was a lovely, serene presence and it was good to have her return to where she belonged. She was obviously keen to be here – her move back had happened so quickly after that initial phone call to Marsha. And now, only days later, friends and tenants had turned out to celebrate.

Theo leaned in and spoke in Rosie’s ear: “Don’t you think it’s weird?” She shivered as his warm breath tickled, but she couldn’t object, it was so noisy it had been necessary.

Just as it was necessary for her to lean closer to speak to him, so close she could smell him – all warm and clean and citrusy – the kind of smell that seemed designed to turn a girl’s head. “Do I think what’s weird?”

“That Alicia would chose to come back to the place she was humiliated – the place her ex husband lives.”

It was bound to seem odd to him – particularly as Alicia was now dancing with Adam Powell as though they didn’t have a shared, and not very pleasant, history. “They didn’t have a conventional marriage. None of them have – they call it love, but the way they behave is disgraceful. I think that’s what’s put me off relationships – I’ve seen how they’ve carried on.” She couldn’t keep the disgust from her voice.

Someone jostled their rickety old table and he put a hand out to steady it before their drinks went flying. “You’ve never been in love?”

“Never have been, never will be,” she denied hotly. “I’m too keen on self-preservation for such nonsense.”

Theo didn’t say any more on the subject and she was glad. She’d said too much, revealed too much. In this noisy, crowded barn where they’d been forced closer just to be heard, the sense of intimacy had overwhelmed her.

There was a bit of a commotion that distracted both of them as the remaining members of the band gathered on the area cleared for dancing, instruments in hand. “What are they doing?”

Rosie sighed. “I’m very much afraid that they’re either going to fight or they’re going to play.”

“It seems they’re going to play,” he said as they heard the tuning of a guitar. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” He was silent for a minute and then the question anyone would have asked in the same situation burst forth: “Who’s going to sing?”

Rosie stifled a gasp. Of course he’d asked, why wouldn’t he? It was the first thing anyone wanted to know whenever The Noise got together to play. “George,” she replied flatly, as the youngster – looking more rock star than farmhand in his torn denims and leather jacket, his too long hair down to his shoulders – took the mic and began to belt out one of the group’s hits.

“He’s good,” Theo commented after a minute or two. “He’s wasted on the farm.”

Rosie knew that. “I only hope he’ll see sense and think of his own future before it’s too late. The college won’t hold his place indefinitely.”

They didn’t speak while the band played. Theo seemed to be listening intently, but Rosie was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to take proper notice. A dull ache in the region of her heart made her wish she hadn’t come tonight. Times like this highlighted her father was missing – he would have loved this, been in his element. Instead, George had taken his place, singing, strutting as though he was born to it. And, Rosie supposed, he had – he certainly had more right up there than any stranger. He’d been born on the road with the band and had grown up with them.

“I suppose there’s no point waiting for the weekend to have a party when everyday’s a holiday.” Theo was watching as the band packed away and the energetic dancing resumed.

“They don’t need to work, they wrote the songs for The Noise – they still earn a fortune in royalties.”

“What happens to your father’s share?”

“Harry,” was the one word answer.

Chapter Eleven

Theo was aware of Rosie frantically scanning the noisy barn. “What is it?”

“Have you seen Evie,” she asked, still looking around. “It’s been a while since I saw her...”

“Dancing with George,” Theo nodded towards the dance floor and he heard Rosie draw sharp breath. “What?”

“He’s too old for her.”

“They’re only dancing.”

“Yes, but look how...” Rosie winced as Evie raised her arms around George’s neck and the two of them began slow dancing in the middle of the pandemonium on the dance floor as everyone else threw themselves around to an upbeat number.

Rosie needed to be distracted. Perhaps, if she learnt to have a little fun herself, she might be a bit more understanding about Evie’s behaviour. “Dance with me?” he invited, holding out his hand, but Rosie shook her head

“Not here, it wouldn’t be seemly,” she told him primly. “I’m in charge, the estate manager, I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself.”

“And I’m the estate owner, but I don’t have a problem with dancing.”

She didn’t like that – he could see it in the way her green eyes narrowed and her full lips settled into an unyielding straight line.

“I’m not pulling rank, Rosie. Just suggesting we might enjoy finishing that dance we started at Chudley House.”

He felt her shudder at the suggestion. “That would cause gossip. And I don’t like being talked about.”

He sighed. Her upbringing really had done a proper job of bundling her up tight, her realised. “I think these people are far too self absorbed to give a second thought to anyone else. I mean, have any of them even asked you what I’m doing here?”

He knew he’d hit home when she paled, but he felt no satisfaction. She pushed back from the table and got to her feet. “I have to get Evie out of here – apart from anything else, it’s a school night.”

“It’s only ten, a few more minutes won’t do any harm. Let her enjoy herself a little while longer.” As he spoke, he could a look of horror sweeping over Rosie’s face and he glanced over in time to see George lowering his face until his lips were on Evie’s. “She’s fifteen,” he reminded her as he got to his own feet and took her hand. “It’s only to be expected that she might have an interest in boys.”

“I have to put a stop to this...” She took a couple of steps and stopped as Theo tightened his hold of her hand. “Don’t Rosie. Let’s get some air.” He led her towards the door and she cast one last glance over her shoulder before they went outside. The base from inside the barn thumped against the chilly night air and Rosie shivered. Ever the gentleman, Theo shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“Thanks, but there’s no need.”

“Rosie, will you stop arguing for just a minute...”

“Why did you pull me out of there? I don’t like leaving her, not with George all over her.”

“She’s a sensible girl and George’s a nice boy. Besides, if you make a fuss you’ll blow the whole thing out of proportion and force them closer. You have to trust her.”

She looked up at him, her green eyes filled with anxiety and Theo wanted to gather her up in his arms and promise her everything would be okay. Instead, he decided to make sure she was okay after the band’s impromptu performance. “It must be odd seeing someone else taking your dad’s place – singing the songs he was famous for.”

“It’s really the only time I miss him,” she admitted. “He was never around much any other time.”

Again, Theo wanted to gather her up and take care of her. It was most odd. “Tonight’s rough on you. I can see that.”

She gave a brief shrug. “I’m more worried about Evie just now.”

“And I’m worried about you. If you tried to relax, stopped taking the cares of the world on your shoulders, you might start to enjoy yourself.”

***

She shivered again, despite the warmth of his jacket. Or maybe it was because of the jacket – she could smell his cologne on it and it was as though he’d wrapped her in a giant hug. “How can I relax and stop worrying? My sister’s being mauled by a hormonal teenager and you want to be a comedian. This isn’t a time for jokes.”

He regarded her with burning golden eyes and she could feel herself melt, yield unwillingly to his iron will. “It’s not a joke. I’m deadly serious. You need to think of yourself occasionally. ”

“You might be my employer, but how can you possibly think you can tell me what to do on a personal level?”

His gaze was unflinching. “Because you’ll make a better job of managing the estate if you’re happy.” He grinned and her stomach flipped. Damn him – how could he make her react like this even when she was desperate, to resist him? Quite apart from her own feelings, he was her boss. This was most inconvenient.

“I am happy,” she insisted. And for a moment, as she looked into his eyes, it was true.

“Okay, Rosie Farnham,” he laughed softly. “But one of these days you’re going to let go. And I very much hope I’m around when it finally happens.”

Needing to get away she shrugged his jacket from her shoulders and handed it back to him. “I’d better go back inside and fetch Evie.”

And she walked away. Even though she wanted to stay with him.

***

“You do need to have fun – I think Theo has a point.” Julia took a rather delicious looking homemade carrot cake from her fridge, cut two very generous slices and placed them on plates. “Here.” She handed one to Rosie.

“I know you do.” She had wondered if she should confide in her friend, it seemed disloyal to Theo, somehow. But, she and Julia were close and Rosie knew it would go no further. “This cake is delicious.”

“Thanks, I found the recipe online. And I can’t believe you didn’t take the opportunity to have some fun with Theo Bradley.”

Rosie paused, fork mid way to her mouth. “Why would I have done that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps because he’s sinfully gorgeous and he seems to care about you.”

“He barely knows me.”

“But he obviously likes what he does know. Seems it all went on last night. I almost wish I’d gone to that party now.”

“Yes, why didn’t you?” Rosie latched onto the change in subject and ran with it.

“That lot are a bit too wild for my liking, thank you very much. I’m surprised you went, you don’t normally go to those things.”

“We didn’t stay long. Theo thought it was a good idea for us to show our faces. And Evie was keen to go.”

Julia was silent for a moment. “You took Evie?”

“Just for an hour or so. Only now I wish I hadn’t – she seems to have developed a growing attachment to George.” Rosie squirmed under the glare of Julia’s disapproval. Julia could really be quite straight laced sometimes. Rosie knew there was no way she would have allowed Louise to go to the party. She felt ever so slightly guilty – perhaps she should have insisted on staying home last night. It would have saved a lot of problems.

Julia tucked her hair behind her ear. “But George is eighteen. He’s too old for her.”

“That’s what I said.” Rosie sighed. “But what can I do? As Theo pointed out, if I lay the law down he’ll only seem more attractive.”