Chapter Twelve

Cassie had that look in her eye that meant she was up to something. They had moved over to the corner, next to the portrait of Countess Elizabeth, a harridan from the fifteen-hundreds who could scare an army off.

‘Go get them, Lizzy,' Kate muttered, hoping that she would step down from the portrait and smack Cassie with her fan for being so obvious — but of course she didn't. No, this place had its ghosts, but Elizabeth wasn't one of them.

Cassie said something to Theo and laughed, then they came back over to her. ‘Kate — can you take Theo up to the stables now, if you don't mind? It won't take you too long.' Cassie was ditzy and thoughtless at times, but she was also a force to be reckoned with when she put her mind to it. Kate caught sight of Lizzy again on the wall and it was almost as if the woman was smirking at her. Yes — she has my genes , she seemed to be saying. She'll have it her way, my dear.

Kate sighed and thrust the clipboard back at Cassie.

‘Okay. I'll take him.' But a little part of her fizzed with excitement at the thought of officially spending some time with Theo.

‘And don't forget your trouser suit!'

‘Oh, I won't forget that . How can I cycle around the estate without it?'

Kate left the room, clutching the voluminous trouser suit and Theo tagged along, walking beside her with his hands in his pockets.

‘Thank you for volunteering to take me. And I'm looking forward to my guided tour as well.'

Kate opened her mouth to respond, then saw that he was teasing her and trying not to grin. Her own mouth curved into a smile. What was the point in trying to sound as if she didn't want to be with him?

‘You're welcome,' she said, instead.

* * *

Theo walked alongside Kate, and suddenly she slowed her pace a little and looked up at him. ‘If the museum suffers this afternoon, because of Jenna being in charge, can I blame you and Cassie?'

Theo smiled down at her. ‘You love that place, don't you?'

‘I do. I know I'm rather over-protective of it at times, but it's a huge part of my life. I suspect you feel the same about your anvil or whatever you use.'

‘My van. Yes. That's the biggest part of my livelihood. If I don't have the van, I don't have the equipment and I can't do my job.'

‘So have you brought that down with you?' she asked. ‘Because you had a car, didn't you, last time?'

Theo was quietly pleased that she'd remembered. ‘I did. But luckily I managed to squeeze my camping gear into the van. Call it a dry run for August. And anyway, it's an adventure.'

Kate faltered in her step a little and something flashed across her face. ‘An adventure. Yes, I suppose.' She cleared her throat. ‘So would you describe yourself as adventurous then?'

Theo shrugged, looking out at the estate whilst he thought about it. ‘Perhaps. I like to explore new places. I like to meet new people. I take risks sometimes.' He glanced down at her.

‘I don't really do risky,' she said. ‘Cassie doesn't think I do adventure either. To me, it was a big thing changing jobs from the British Museum and moving up here from London; and even then I had to have everything sorted out and ordered nicely before I did it.'

Theo laughed. ‘Anything can be an adventure if you look at it with the right eyes. Your ice-cream bicycle, for example. Launching yourself into doing it up to help your friend out, and tolerating an impractical outfit as an added extra. Being in charge of all that history at the museum; and definitely moving up here, on your own, to do it. I'd call that adventurous.'

Kate laughed. ‘If you put it that way, then I suppose you might be right!'

‘You see, then. You are adventurous,' he said with a grin. ‘Is this the stable block?' He stopped and indicated a building made of the same stone as the house. In fact, it looked like a smaller version of the house, even down to the carved details beneath the gutters.

‘Yes, that's it. The Aldrichs have always been big on their horses. This was the entrance to the estate, years ago, and visitors used to think this was the house. I imagine it was all very cleverly planned out for maximum impact. But the horses and the grooms had nice enough accommodation, so I bet nobody complained.'

‘I bet. I've broken in a few horses, you know. It's a service I offer in addition to the usual things. I would have loved to work with some of the animals from these big houses.' Theo shook his head, still in awe at the stable block.

‘We're quite close to Newmarket here,' said Kate, ‘so there's been a lot of racing going on for many years. Someone with your skills could have done very well down here.' There was the briefest of pauses before she added, ‘One of the Earl's horses won a race at Newmarket in the 1880's. I found a letter in the museum where he was boasting about it and wondering whether to get a portrait commissioned for his horse. His blacksmith — the one who lived in the cottage at my museum — was mentioned in it. They were worried the horse was injured, but he was fine.'

‘That's good. Someone with my skills probably still could do well. Which makes it all the better that I'm working at Newmarket currently. Hartsford isn't too far away, so I factored in a bit of a diversion.'

‘That's great.' Kate nodded. ‘It's nice to see you again.' She cast a quick glance up at him, then looked away as their eyes met. ‘Anyway,' she said, walking ahead of him. ‘This is Hughie. Hughie, this is Theo.' She introduced Theo to the big, black horse that was eyeing him just as curiously as Theo was looking at the horse. Hughie pulled a mouthful of hay out of the feeder and chewed it, his eyes never leaving the newcomer.

‘Hello, Hughie.' Theo held out his hand. ‘That's right, boy. It's a carrot. You can have it. I've got plenty more.'

‘Where did that come from?' asked Kate in surprise.

‘My pocket. I tend to carry them around with me. It's useful when you're dealing with horses.'

Kate smiled. She reached out and patted Hughie's nose. He whinnied softly and rubbed against her. ‘He's a lovely horse, but Elodie's still wary of him. He bit her when she was little and I don't think she'll ever forgive him.'

‘Elodie?'

‘Oh, she's Alex's wife. You'll see her on the advertising leaflets.' Kate laughed. ‘She hates that photo. It was taken ages ago.'

‘What, the blonde with the scones? That's the Countess?' He remembered seeing a picture of a very attractive, curvy blonde on the leaflets Kate had mentioned. She was holding a plate of scones out in front of her, in a very come-hither manner. ‘I'm not surprised the place is so busy! They probably all hope that they'll see her!'

Kate grinned. ‘Yes. Alex loves that picture, funnily enough. Elodie wasn't Countess then though, but it's such a great photo that I don't think they'll ever change it.'

‘They probably shouldn't if it's bringing the trade in.' Theo patted Hughie and opened the stall door. ‘I'll just give him a quick check while I'm here. That should be okay, shouldn't it?'

Kate nodded and stood back. ‘You know what you're doing. Do you want me to wait for you, or can you find your own way back?'

Theo shut the door, trapping himself in the stall with Hughie, who obligingly shuffled over to the side and lifted his front leg up elegantly.

‘Look!' said Kate. ‘It's like he knows what you're going to do!'

Theo smiled and took hold of the animal's leg. ‘They all know. It's a gift I have. Anyway, I don't think I can remember the way back, so if you don't mind, would you be so kind as to wait for me?'

Theo gave her his most innocent look and she narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you sure? It's a straight path. We didn't turn any corners and it's right back down the same way.' She pointed outside as if to demonstrate how easy it was to get back on the path.

‘I have a terrible sense of direction,' he lied. ‘I really need you to help me.'

Kate shook her head and laughed; Hughie snorted as if he was joining in too.

‘Well make it quick, please! I have to get back to my museum, you know. I've got to give a tour soon.'

And she headed out of the stables, leaving Theo and Hughie smiling to themselves.

* * *

Kate leaned against the stable block walls, one leg bent behind her, with her foot resting on the old stones. She looked out over the estate and contemplated the fact that this was a view that Cat would also be familiar with.

Certainly, Will would have been familiar with it too. He would have worked here; walked the horses down to the cottages and shoed them, bringing them back to the stables and perhaps examining them as lovingly and carefully as Theo was tending to Hughie.

Kate placed her foot back on the ground and peered into the stables. Theo was absorbed in his work, the familiar smell of hay and leather polish making her nose tickle. She ducked back around the doorframe as Theo stood up, and tried to look nonchalant when he finally came out of the stables. She peeled herself away from the wall and fell into step beside him as they walked down the path, back towards the Hall.

He grinned and looked down at her. ‘So what are you up to for the rest of the day, then?'

‘Well, work, of course. Then I don't know.' She shrugged. ‘I'll probably try this thing on.' She lifted up the costume. ‘And I might Skype my brother. He's just come back from France.'

‘You're close to your brother?'

‘Yes, I guess so. Our parents are pretty hopeless so we were thrown together a bit.' That made her think about Cat and Edward and the ball again. Where had Will been that evening? Probably in his cottage, with Hector.

‘My parents gave me more than enough freedom, but I always knew they'd be there when I got back,' said Theo.

‘I'm envious. Mine are digging up something archaeological at the moment. I have no idea what, it may be Roman, it may be Egyptian; but,' Kate shrugged, ‘they're happy.'

‘Are you happy?' Theo glanced at her.

‘Of course.' She hugged the fabric of the ridiculous suit closer. ‘What's not to be happy about?'

‘If I lived here, I think it would be pretty easy to be happy.'

A very tiny portion of Kate's mind wanted to respond: ‘I think I'd be quite happy if you were here as well.'

But then, maybe she was fixating on Will the blacksmith and not thinking rationally; so she deliberately thought of Chris, and made an effort to consciously chase all those other images out of her mind.

* * *

‘LadyAmelia! MissTredegar!' Will walked out of the stables and started. She was coming up the path, LadyAmelia pushing her in that damned Bath chair. She was scowling and her face was thunderous. He bowed quickly to them.

A thousand emotions assaulted him at once; he saw her in the green and gold dress from the Midsummer Ball last night, the obvious pain she had been in and the way she had been led away by that other man — Edward Mountfort, more than likely — and he worked hard to stop the anger and jealousy showing on his face. He wanted her for his own; and he had done nothing but think of her since last night, and think about what her brother had said. He would die for her, he knew that; but leaving her for any length of time, even if it was to make his fortune so he could marry her, would kill him. It was a vicious circle indeed.

LadyAmelia giggled as she stopped before him, and Cat — well, he had to ask her. ‘Why has that appeared again?' He nodded at the chair. ‘Dare I ask?'

Cat shook her head and gripped the armrests. ‘It seems as if I'm not quite ready to dance the night away, MrHaddon.' He dipped his head and hid a smile. She sighed lustily and twisted around, to bring LadyAmelia into the conversation. ‘Wouldn't you agree?'

‘You tried your best, darling. It's not your fault.' LadyAmelia looked at Will and dimpled her sweet little smile. ‘She quite fell into a heap at the end of the ball, MrHaddon. Charles — I mean, my cousin, her brother, MrTredegar,' the girl blushed, ‘had to pick her up and carry her.'

‘Did he now?'

‘Yes. It was extremely fortunate that he wasn't entirely inebriated.'

‘I suspect he would have collapsed in a heap as well, had he been in such a condition,' said Will, mock-seriously.

‘I suspect he would never have been able to find his way to Cat's bedroom.' Amelia smiled down at the top of Cat's head. ‘I thought she could do with a trundle up here. I know how much she loves the horses. And anything pertaining to the horses. Excuse me one tiny moment, MrHaddon. May I just get her a little closer? Thank you.' LadyAmelia pushed the chair a little further past Will, then let go of the handle, and stepped away. ‘It's quite exhausting, actually, pushing such a heavy lump as Cat up here. There you go — at least you're right inside the stables now. Right before I collapse.'

The girl did look flushed and exhausted. Will put it down to a late night at the ball and bowed again. ‘I'm more than happy to push the chair back to the Hall. Unless MissTredegar wishes to stay here for a little while?'

LadyAmelia shrugged prettily. ‘I'm so tired, I'm going to have a little sit down behind the stables here. I won't be far.'

‘And you'll be looking out for anyone coming, won't you?' asked Cat, smiling suddenly.

‘Oh, I don't think there's any need for people to worry. I'm here. Right outside.' And, just like that, LadyAmelia melted away.

Will wasted no time. He knelt in front of Cat, and she leaned forward, putting her hands on his shoulders and looking straight into his eyes; straight into his soul.

‘Oh Will, I wish you had been there last night. It was so awful. So many dreary people, and none of them being particularly themselves , you know?'

‘I know.' He nodded. ‘I was there, though. Me and Hector. We saw you through the window.' He raised a hand and twisted a curl around his fingers. ‘You looked beautiful. One day, I'll dance with you at a ball, I think. We'll hold our own ball, and only invite people we like. How does that sound?'

‘It sounds perfect.' She captured his hand and pressed it to her cheek briefly. ‘But Millie's right. I do love the horses and the stables. So I always feel so much better up here.' She smiled, mischievously. ‘And somehow, I feel even better now.'

Will straightened up and smiled down at her. ‘That's because your horse has just been shod. Look.' He nodded towards a pretty, palomino mare. ‘I think she's missed you, these last few months.'

Cat raised her hand and Beauty dipped her head and pushed her nose into her palm, swishing her white tail expectantly.

Cat laughed. ‘I don't have anything for you today. I'm sorry.'

‘Don't believe her. She's just had one of my finest carrots,' said Will with a smile, running his hand down the golden coat. ‘Why don't you sit on her for a little while? It'll make you both feel happier.'

Cat laughed, bitterly. ‘I would most certainly do that if I could walk properly today. But I wouldn't be able to mount her and I wouldn't embarrass myself by trying.'

‘Ah, you don't need to do much work. Can you get on your feet at all?'

‘Yes, of course.' Cat was stung. ‘It's just once I'm on my feet I'm entirely stuck. Unless I hop.' She frowned, as if contemplating it.

‘Come on, then.' He held his hand out. ‘I've got you.'

She looked at him for a moment, then struggled out of the Bath chair.

Will helped her get her balance, and then steadied her. ‘Now. Let's get on that horse,' he said, and picked her up.

Cat shrieked, then started to laugh as he hefted her onto the horse, bareback. Beauty shifted a little, but he held onto them both as Cat settled herself in an awkward parody of her usual elegant side-saddle. She leaned forward and stroked Beauty's white mane. ‘Oh, I've missed you so much,' she murmured. ‘Hello, Beauty. I'll ride you again soon.'

‘You can ride her now. Here, let me just get a leading rein on her.' Will found some rope and deftly tied it onto the horse. He clicked his tongue and the horse put her beautiful head up and whinnied. She trotted out of the stable, with Will walking alongside. He looked up at Cat and the sun was glinting off her hair, turning it to flames before his eyes. He realised that her smile not only lit up her face, but made his life worthwhile.