Page 21 of Wild About You

I had to give it to her; she kept her pale, perfectly made-up face completely still. Only her eyes looked wild, like a pony that might be about to kick. ‘My lord,’ she said. ‘I had no idea you were there.’

‘Evidently.’ He continued to smile. ‘Perhaps everyone could discuss your opinions over tea and cake? I’m sure we’re all interested in your study of my character.’

Another disturbed ripple, although I detected definite signs of glee in the faces of those nearest to me. The audience had got more than they bargained for: wildflower meadows plus drama and then some. Those who’d stayed at home would live to regret missing this legendary evening.

Clarissa had temporarily lost the power of speech. In London, someone would have been recording her on a mobile phone. Here, everyone was trying to forge every detail into their memories, for further embellishment later.

‘Thank you, my lord,’ I said crisply. ‘Any more questions?’

There was silence. Kate gave an extended thank you and there was a hearty round of applause before the audience were released into bubbling chatter.

I let everyone rush the tea and cake table like a mosh pitat a concert. Deliberately slowly, I shut my computer down and drank my glass of water. Then Kate reappeared bearing me a cup of tea in a green glazed cup, and a large slice of chocolate fudge cake, along with two friendly WI members who praised the talk as I sipped. I took a bite of cake. Good lord, it was heaven, utter heaven. I had to stifle a moan. As I chewed, I looked over at Jamie – he was attacking a slice of Victoria sponge whilst chatting with a large group of adoring women, whilst Callum inspected a rock cake. The look Callum gave me when he caught my eye was so comical, and I was feeling so high after completing the talk, I had to snort back laughter, and nearly inhaled a piece of cake. Oh well, you’ve got to die of something.

My companions continued talking politely as I recovered my equilibrium. When I had, one of them gently nudged me. ‘Don’t take Clarissa personally,’ she said. ‘She’s not Jamie’s biggest fan.’

‘Only because she thought her daughter was going to be Lady Roxdale,’ said the other.

‘Sarah!’ The other one looked scandalised. She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘You can’t say that.’

I caught Jamie’s eye across the room, and widened my own in a silent ‘goodness this is interesting’ look.

‘Why not, if it’s true?’ said Sarah, although she too had lowered her voice. ‘It’s not Lucinda’s fault if her mother’s been acting like some latter-day Mrs Bennet.’

‘I can see there’s a lot more to Stonemore than meets the eye,’ I said encouragingly.

‘You wouldn’t believe it,’ Sarah hissed, and I leaned in. ‘The things they do to get their daughters in front of him. The poor man should—’

‘Can I rescue my newest employee?’ Jamie’s voice rang out, and Sarah turned the same shade as the cherry on her Bakewell tart. But he showed no sign of having heard anything, only asked after their families as I shovelled the last of my cake down and thanked Kate. When I’d finished, he turned to me and said in an undertone, ‘Sorry if I interrupted – I thought you might be ready for all this to be over. Callum said he’d see us outside.’

‘I am absolutely ready to go,’ I said quietly. ‘Thank you. I’m meeting Fi for a quick drink.’

‘Right.’ He took my cup and plate from me, then helped me into my jacket. When I pulled my arm back to put it in the sleeve, I winced. ‘Are you okay?’ he said.

‘Fine, thank you,’ I smiled. ‘I’m a bit stiff. All the weeding at Belheddonbrae.’

‘I thought you’d just leave it to go wild,’ he said.

‘No, it’s important to get all the nettles and docks out before we start planting the wildflowers. And you have to do that by hand, really. But that’s my dirty secret – I love weeding.’

‘Duly noted,’ he said. Was that a slight twinkle in his eye?

I became aware that people were watching us. Clarissa was long gone but most people were still chatting, and it was clear we were now a topic of conversation. ‘Is this what it’s like being a member of the royal family?’ I murmured to Jamie as we strode out, side by side. ‘All those eyes on you?’

‘I have no idea,’ he said, and I saw his expression had hardened.

We walked silently out into the darkness, into the rush of cold, clear air. Callum was vaping, and a faint miasma of bubblegum scent filled the air. ‘Did you enjoy the rock cake?’ I said.

He fished it out of the pocket of his waxed jacket, whole, and tapped it disapprovingly. I am disappointed to report that I giggled like a schoolgirl.

‘Did I say well done?’ said Jamie abruptly.

‘I don’t think you did,’ I said, startled.

‘You were very convincing,’ he said. I should add that he wasn’t looking at me, the whole time; his gaze was fixed on the distant hills, or an approximation of where they were in the winter darkness, whilst Callum puffed away on his vape and nodded in agreement with the sentiment.

I gave a mock-curtsy. ‘I’d better go,’ I said. ‘Fi will be waiting in the Rising Sun.’

‘Sure, I’ll walk you down,’ said Callum.

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