Page 13 of A Summer Romance
“A wretch, am I?You are the one who so easily believed that I would agree to such an arrangement with your brother.It was no less than you deserved.”The hurt she felt at his accusation was obvious.
“I apologise.I jumped to a wrong conclusion.I believed you were under my brother’s spell, but I can see now you are far too sensible for that.”
It was nice to see him contrite, and Breana basked in the moment, even though she wasn’t completely sure she deserved it.
“No woman would be silly enough to run off with Master Francis,” Maybelle scoffed.
To Breana’s surprise, Theo smiled at that.“I couldn’t have put it better myself,” he said.
That was when she admitted that her sister Christine was right.Theo Norrisdidhave a lovely smile.
Chapter seven
SEVEN
Theo admitted he had been far too quick to believe the worst of Breana.His long-held belief that she was infatuated with his brother had made him jump to the wrong conclusion.
She was going to London to stay with a friend, and he had insulted her by believing she would do something so silly as run away with Francis.Now she looked at him as if she found him… Well, he wasn’t surewhatshe was thinking, but at least it wasn’t that he was repulsive and uninteresting.
Theo should be concentrating on the task at hand.He had to decide how best to approach the bank, how he would lay out his plans and persuade them to listen to him.To make them believe he was capable of what he was promising to do.
But was it already too late, as his father had said?He sincerely hoped not.He knew with every fibre of his being that he could make a success of the estate.It would be painful indeed if he wasn’t even allowed to try.Mostly because it was his own fault for not forcing the issue sooner.
Breana’s quiet voice interrupted his thoughts.“I would be very sorry if you lost Barton Manor.”
Somehow, that was enough to draw the words out of him.“There is so much I want to do, if only they will let me.I want to make Barton Manor more like Starling Hall.A working farm, a profitable concern, instead of a place that sits idle as it has done for years.”
“My brother works very hard,” Breana admitted, as if just realising it herself.“Would that mean you would have to stay in Barton Lacey year round?”
“It would.The London house has been sold.”
She looked startled at this news, and then sad.Theo wondered if he should have told her all of this earlier, and whether it might have made a difference.Not that he wanted her pity, but it was nice to have her empathy.
Her big blue eyes gazed into his.“I’m sure Will will help you, if you ask,” she said.Then, with a smile, added, “He is very proud of everything he has achieved so far.All you need are a few words of flattery and he won’t be able to stop telling you about it.”
Theo gave a huff.“Justifiably proud.But thank you, Miss Starling.Let us see what happens first.”
Breana glanced at Maybelle but she was dutifully not paying attention to the conversation, so she carried on.
“I don’t believe the bank will refuse to let you make Barton Manor a profitable concern.If they see you are firm in your resolve to save your home and your family, and more than capable of doing so, then they should at least give you a chance.Who would buy Barton Manor, anyway?It is rather…” She seemed to be seeking a word that wasn’t insulting, and he decided to put her out of her misery.
“In need of repair?Yes.Things have been let go for years.My mother makes sure the ballroom and supper room are sparkling, but as for the rest of the house… The ceiling in one of the bedrooms leaks and I am worried it is going to fall down, and the garden has become a wilderness, even the formal part.”
He stopped himself.She did not want to hear this, but for some reason he wanted to tell her.Theo did not share his problems often, but it was easy to share with her, and her responsiveness encouraged it.
“At least Barton Manor is so big you can always find another bedroom,” she said.“Starling Hall is so full we have to share rooms.My sister Christine sleeps in my room with me.”
“Is that so bad?”he asked.
She sighed.“I suppose not.Will is building onto the hall, to give him and Molly some privacy.It would be rather awkward being a newlywed and having to share with someone else, don’t you think?”
“Very awkward,” he agreed.“I hope whomever I marry enjoys the challenges I am facing.Probably there are not many ladies who will jump at that idea!”
It was meant to make her laugh.Instead, she looked thoughtful.
He decided it was time to change the subject.“Who is this friend you are going to stay with, Miss Starling?”
Breana’s expression brightened and she began to tell him about Chloe Bennett, the old school friend who now lived in London, and how much she looked forward to seeing her.She seemed a little self-conscious at times, as if her happiness was something she should hide because of his circumstances, but he urged her to talk.He found he liked to hear her voice and see her animated expression.She was a very vivacious girl, and just being with her had the effect of raising his spirits.
