‘You mean from a charity shop?’ Finula frowned.
‘Not necessarily – there could be a website that deals with vintage clothing. It’s worth a try, especially if you want that timeless, graceful look.’
‘Now why didn’t I think of that?’ Finula took out her phone and started searching. Within seconds her face lit up. ‘Look! The Oxfam online shop is the home of beautiful second-hand bridal wear, offering a wide choice of gorgeous dresses, shoes and accessories. From strapless to lace, vintage bridal wear to ex-catwalk, you can find your dream wedding dress with Oxfam.’ She spoke with excitement, showing Megan her phone. Together they scrolled through the many dresses, dating back to decades ago. ‘This is more like it.’ Finula eyed the pictures with glee, then suddenly stopped. ‘This is it. That’s the one.’
Megan read out the description. ‘A vintage, unbranded, sleeveless wedding gown in ivory silk. Size 10.’ Turning to her friend she clasped her arm. ‘Finula, it’s perfect!’ They both hugged each other with relief.
24
Tobias had thoroughly enjoyed himself strolling through the leafy grounds with Edward. Now and again he’d stop and chat to a member of staff either tending the perfectly manicured gardens or working in the vegetable patches and orchards that covered the estate. After lunch he pushed Edward in his pram to the estate office, where his manager patiently sat waiting for him. He stood up immediately on seeing Lord Cavendish-Blake enter the room. ‘Good afternoon, Sir.’
‘Hello there, Percy. Now what have you got for me?’ He nodded for him to take a seat opposite him at the desk. He checked to see that Edward was sleeping soundly then looked at his computer screen.
‘Everything seems to be running smoothly, Sir.’ The estate manager seemed keen to reassure him. ‘The play at The Folly has been a tremendous success.’
‘Yes, it has,’ agreed Tobias, then squinted to read his emails. Mentioning the play reminded him of that email from Daniel, who was staying at The Templar. He clicked on it again and reread it. ‘Have you heard any more from…’ Tobias moved closer to read the name ‘…Daniel James? The chap who wants to buy Keeper’s Cottage?’
‘No, Sir.’
Tobias nodded. Good. He didn’t like pushy tactics. He seemed a nice enough guy, he thought, recalling how good he was with his little girl. Surely, it had to be the same person?
‘Contact him. Tell him I’ll talk to him.’
‘Yes, Sir. When would be convenient?’
‘Tomorrow,’ replied Tobias firmly.
*
The email Daniel received had come at a good time. Having just reread the letter from the court, telling him of his pending hearing date, a response from Lord Cavendish-Blake was a most welcome distraction. His instincts to sit back and patiently wait had paid off. Now all he had to do was play his cards right when meeting the man. Hopefully, he’d remember him from the play, so the ice had already been broken.
Daniel’s mood suddenly lifted – not that he hadn’t had a great day, he had, with Emily – but reading the official letter indicating the date in bold writing of the hearing that would determine his future had frightened him. Keep calm, he kept telling himself. Now reading this email from Treweham Hall, Daniel took it as a good omen. He allowed happier thoughts to enter his head, like today when he had taken Emily on a local nature trail. He’d loved watching her face light up with enthusiasm as they’d wandered through the lush, green woods and paddled in the clear streams.
Despite all this quality time with Emily, the court case was forever in the background, dulling his senses. Now perhaps things were on the up, he hoped optimistically. Emily had been shattered again and after supper and a bath, she was once more tucked up with Snuggles and she lay in a restful sleep. Daniel went downstairs to the bar, where Christie was busy serving. He smiled easily at her and she smiled back, perhaps a little self-consciously, he suspected. Had she regretted kissing him the other night? He hoped not. He certainly hadn’t. If anything, it left him yearning for more. They’d only spoken a few times since “the kiss” and that was polite chit-chat with Emily on what they had been doing during the day.
Soon they would need to start firming up arrangements on renovating the bedrooms – that’s why he was still at The Templar, after all. He appreciated that Christie had given him some time to be with Emily, but he was soon due to drop her back off at his parents’, where Jenna had arranged to collect her. Once he’d done that, he’d get cracking with ideas and suggestions. He already had a few simmering in his mind. He’d also noticed furniture and textile shops whilst visiting local areas with Emily. They had inspired him, plus there were artisan craft shops supplying unique goods, holding relevance and history to the Cotswolds. All this had ignited his imagination and he was keen to get to work.
Shortly after he had separated from Jenna, Daniel had made the decision to work for himself, setting his own business up. Fortunately, he had made quite a name for himself as a talented architect and many of his former clients from the firm he had been with had followed him. He was slowly but steadily building up a decent workload, whilst managing his time for a better work-life balance with his daughter. Daniel saw it as a huge positive that he was able to work from home, giving him more flexibility as a parent. So did his solicitor, when he explained the situation to her. Surely all this must help his cause? He dearly hoped so.
He was even more keen to get to work with Christie. He watched her serving the customers with ease and efficiency, not a trace of the vulnerable girl from the other night. He admired her delicate laugh, the way her dark, corkscrew curls rested on her elegant neck and shoulders, the faint dusting of freckles between her cleavage – he felt himself stir and harden.
She suddenly looked at him again as if reading his lustful thoughts. Daniel met her gaze unflinching – he was past caring. His mind was made up. He wanted her.
25
Marcus and Finula were due to go back home to Shropshire, but Marcus, conscious that he needed to speak to Sebastian, or Jamie, had made plans to visit the folly before setting off. ‘We’ll leave early evening and miss the traffic,’ he’d told Finula.
‘Good idea. I’ll call in on Megan and Tobias and say goodbye,’ she’d replied.
Having given it considerable thought, Marcus was still unsure of how to open the conversation with Sebastian. He’d have to be tactful, yet direct, judging by the way he’d been avoiding Tobias’ raised concerns.
The folly, as usual, was a hive of activity, preparing for the performance that evening. Sebastian saw Marcus enter through the woods and waved him over. ‘Hello there.’ He smiled, looking genuinely pleased to see him. It warmed Marcus’ heart, especially as he was so new to the family. It was incredible to think that this time last year, he hadn’t even known of his two half-brothers, or indeed who his father had actually been.
‘Hi, Sebastian. Do you have a minute? I’d like a word.’
‘Sounds ominous.’ He gave a laugh.
Marcus nodded towards the folly. ‘Can we go inside, somewhere private?’
‘Yeah, sure.’ Sebastian frowned, clearly wondering what this was about. Marcus watched carefully as his brother led him into the old, stone building. He had a definite limp. He also noticed his hand tremor slightly as he pulled a dark green, velvet chair forward for him to sit on. They were in what used to be their father’s bolthole, a room with two comfy armchairs beside a wood burner, complete with a drinks cabinet. ‘Would you like a drink, Marcus?’ Sebastian opened it up and began pouring himself a brandy.