His Irresistible Darling

by Sarah Randall

  He turned back to his family, shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes, but he was met with a disapproving look on Mrs Henderson’s face including hands on her hips which always meant trouble.

  He dumped her bag on the floor and let out an exaggerated sigh before stomping back to collect her, muttering all the way about her having no coat and her ridiculous shoes.

  She started to sit back into her seat at his approach but he quickly grabbed her around the waist and was secretly pleased at her surprised squeal before she finally grabbed hold of him as he kicked the door closed and carried her back over to her waiting fans and unceremoniously dumped her beside her bag.

  “Thanks,” she muttered, sheepishly. “I only have these shoes.”

  He was forced to make the introductions. “This is my sister, Pip, and our housekeeper, Mrs Henderson.”

  ***

  “It’s lovely to meet you both.” Anastacia nodded and smiled, clutching Matt’s coat tighter around her body.

  Pip ran forward and grabbed hold of her hand. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here. I’m such a fan.”

  She was much younger than Matt, a petite girl with long, dark, glossy locks and sporting a thick rimmed pair of glasses that were fashionable at the moment. She reminded her of a pixie, gorgeous, perfectly proportioned, and full of energy.

  “Okay Pip, leave the lass alone. That’s enough,” said the older woman, Mrs Henderson. She was a large woman with silver hair tied back in a neat bun, in her sixties if Ana was to guess. She offered a warm welcoming smile and rubbed her hands on her apron before embracing her in a bear hug, filling her nostrils with the smell of lavender, and she could tell instantly that she would get along well with both women. Unlike the frustrating farmer.

  Mrs Henderson took charge and ushered them all into a large entrance hall before calling over her shoulder to Matt, who stood statuesque outside.

  “Matt dear, I’ve put Miss Harper in the guest room next to yours. Take her bag up there would you?”

  “Call me Anasta—er, Ana , please, Mrs Henderson.” She thought she could hear Matt grumbling as he picked up her bag and stormed into the hall and up the impressive central staircase.

  Pip continued to bounce around, a little bit like George, and clapped her hands as Mrs Henderson escorted her into the large, homely, yet surprisingly well equipped modern kitchen with a large wooden table in the middle.

  “Mulled wine all round I think, to warm the cockles. Come along.” Mrs Henderson busied herself around the kitchen and insisted that Ana sit down and make herself at home. She almost scoffed at the woman’s words. Home. If only she knew that her starkly boring flat was anything but comforting!

  “Now dear, you’re not one of those fussy eaters are you? You know, one of those vegetarians?” Mrs Henderson said the word scornfully, like it was a swear word!

  Something about the kindly woman, warmly welcoming into her home with wide arms, stopped her from explaining that she very rarely ate a complete meal. “Nope, fully fledged meat eater here,” she said, assuring, and was treated to a full on wide smile. She was glad she hadn’t disappointed.

  A few moments later, Matt re-entered the kitchen.

  “I’ll be in the stud office,” he announced as he popped a kiss on the older woman’s cheek, the warmth of which shocked Ana but was quickly forgotten as he sailed past her and called back over his shoulder. “No need to tip me this time Miss Harper.” He left through the back door before she could come back with anything. Ana felt like she’d been dismissed.

  ***

  Mrs Henderson and Pip came to check on her once she’d settled into her spacious yet cosy guest room.

  “Yes thank you, but I do have one little problem,” she admitted. “I didn’t expect to travel straight here from Rome so I’ve very little in the way of clothes. A black bikini and a little summer dress aren’t going to be very practical here.” It was obvious that she wasn’t going to be able to squeeze into Pip’s clothes—assuming she could even get her jeans on over her hips, they would look like Peddle Pushers on her longer legs!

  Mrs Henderson waved a hand at her. “Oh, right. Well we can sort that out, can’t we Pip. Let’s have a look in Matt’s room. You can roll up a pair of his jeans and there will be some T-shirts for you I’m sure. Come along.”

  Matt’s bedroom was next to hers and was not what she imagined a single man’s bedroom looked like. Wait, was he even single? Why had she assumed that?

  A super king size bed with white cotton sheets dominated the room. A mahogany dresser was topped with lots of family pictures, both colour and black and white, which seemed to be of his parents and Pip together when they were children. There was also a graduation picture of him and another extremely attractive man. Was it a brother, she wondered? No, on closer inspected he had a Middle Eastern look about him. She spotted a bottle of the cologne that she had smelt earlier on his coat. Yep, bergamot, nutmeg and cedarwood. It was one of her favourites and she had bought it for Alix on his last birthday.

  Several modern paintings and prints were dotted around the room including a beautiful pencil drawing of a horse and her foal lying down. She went to step forward to examine the sketch but was interrupted by Mrs Henderson.

  “The dressing room’s through here Ana.”

  Dressing room… what the hell did a farmer need with a dressing room? Ah, unless he was married, but so far, no sight nor sound of a wife. She followed Mrs Henderson into a room next to the ensuite. It was as big as hers back in Chelsea! A row of stunning suits and dinner jackets hung on the right hand side. She trailed her hand along the suits. Gucci, Dior, Tom Ford, the man was a clothes horse!

  God she needed to stop with the horse references.

  To the left were shelves with neatly folded t-shirts, shirts, jeans, and jumpers. Underneath were smaller shelves for shoes and boots. It was like two entirely different people used the room: comfy and casual on one side and suited and booted on the other. Since when did Farmer Giles, or should that be Dr Jekel and Mr Hyde, need all these top end clothes? Had she been as guilty as him of making ill-informed assumptions?

  Mrs Henderson hummed a tune as she busied herself in the wardrobe before handing her a bundle of clothes including a pair of jeans, t-shirts and a soft cashmere v-neck jumper and several pairs of socks.

  “That should keep you going until your friend arrives. Matt has some spare wellington boots in the utility down stairs, a few pairs of socks on you and they should be alright. Oh, and there are lots of coats too. Just leave your delicates in the bathroom each day and I’ll launder those for you.”

  “Thank you. Are you sure he won’t mind?” she checked, not entirely comfortable with the idea of wearing this man’s clothes without his permission—but in reality, what else could she do?

  “Mind? Dearie he won’t even notice,” she said, chuckling to herself. “He barely wears any of these things nowadays anyway,” she said, waving at the posh side. “Jeans, t-shirts and boots are his uniform.”

  “So what’s with the all the suits then?” Ana pushed, being unapologetically nosey.

  She watched as the older woman fiddled nervously with her apron before running a hand over her bun. “Oh, well, you’d better ask him about that. Shall we, dearie?”

  ***

  “That was delicious, thank you Mrs Henderson.” Anastacia reclined in the soft leather sofa in front of the roaring fire next to Pip, feet curled up underneath, while her new favourite person pottered around plumping cushions. The large fireplace was dressed with a festive swag of red berries, ivy, mistletoe, cinnamon sticks and pine cones, with four small, homemade, brightly coloured stockings hanging from it featuring their initials sewn with little glass beads. There was even one for George. She swallowed the lump which had formed in her throat at the vivid image of this family gathered around the fire on Christmas morning, hugging each other as they opened their gifts. The room was scented with fresh pine from the large Christmas tree in the corner of the r
oom. It was another depressing reminder that that she’d never had a real Christmas tree, just the plastic variety. Now she knew what she had been missing all these years. It smelled wonderful, a scent which no artificial room fragrance could accurately re-create : she’d tried them all. Her stomach being nicely full from the stew and dumplings was an alien feeling and she was drowsy from the couple of bottles of wine that they had all enjoyed with dinner and the brandy she now nursed in her hand. Her cheeks were flushed from the wine and heat of the crackling fire. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten so much yet felt so relaxed and content, especially as she was in someone else’s home. Not that she’d ever felt so relaxed or content in her own home. To her, home was just a space where she kept her belongings.

  “Ah, you’re welcome honey, it’s lovely to cook for people who enjoy their food.”

  “Well I’ve never been one of those women who can survive on celery sticks.” She regretted the white lie immediately. “I love my food, just have to work extra hard in the gym.” Truth.

  “Feel free to use the pool or gym whenever you like Ana.” Pip glanced over at her from where she was sprawled out in front of the fire, flicking through a magazine with a contented George snoozing with his strong head resting on her crossed legs.

  “Thanks, I might just do that. I can make use of the spare time and the few clothing items I do have with me!”

  “There’s also a library on the second floor if you get really bored. That’s where Matt spends most of his evenings, a real bookworm. Boring.”

  She smiled as Pip made a huge fake yawn.

  “Really, well, I love reading too so maybe I’ll have to, er, have a look later. Thanks.” Meaning, I’ll wait till he’s gone out.

  Pip discarded the magazine at her side and promptly stood up, disturbing George briefly. “Right, I’m bored now. Fancy coming with me to the pub?” Pip seemed to have the attention span of an adorable puppy.

  “Oh, erm…” She was so comfortable she wasn’t sure she could move, or be bothered by the fact that she’d rather stay right where she was, than go out for a night out?!

  “Feel free to stay here if you like. Matt will be around somewhere and he’ll keep you company if you’d prefer.”

  To be glared at by Mr Dark and Broody… in that case, there was no way she was staying here.

  “No, that’s okay, I’d love to come with you and have a look around the village,” she said, prising herself out of the chair. “Just let me put on some warmer clothes and grab a coat and wellies and I’ll be right with you,” she said, edging backwards from the room until she slammed into something hard and unmoving…

  She spun around to face Matt’s unimpressed hard stare.

  She bobbed her head forward slightly. “Is that look on your face permanently?”

  He didn’t bother to even acknowledge her and instead looked past her at Pip. “Where are you off too?”

  “The pub. You want to come along?” Pip asked.

  “No, I’m fine. Be careful in the snow, take a torch and make sure you have your phone fully charged.”

  She rolled her eyes at her brother. “Yes Dad,” she mocked. “Besides, James will be there and he’ll give us a lift home if we need it.”

  Anastacia glanced back over her shoulder at Pip.

  “He’s such a sweetie Ana, and he’s the Stud’s vet. Wait ‘till you see him, and the other local farmers. Why women go to the city to look for hot, available guys is beyond me. I tell you, this is where they should be. Go and make yourself even more gorgeous and we’ll get going.”

  ***

  Matt felt a spark of something strike him and stir his interest. Despite his earlier caustic remarks to her on the drive in, a world famous model in the village would cause a stir and possibly a scene, and as she was staying here… well, it was his responsibility to make sure nothing brought the Stud or his family name into disrepute. Never again. He ignored all possibility that it was the fact that other men would relish Miss Harper’s attention.

  “Wait, on second thought, I’ll come along too. You need a chaperone and George could do with the exercise to work off that chicken.” His accusatory stare was ignored by Mrs Henderson who continued to tidy around the room. “I’ll get my coat. George, come on lad.” George pricked up his ears, stretched his front legs, and trotted after him.

  Why the hell was he going? He’d planned on a quiet night in, catching up on some paperwork for the Stud and looking over some potential new bloodlines before trying to get some much needed sleep.

  He was going to keep an eye on Pip and keep Miss Darling out of trouble. Yes, that was it. No way was he going to make sure Ana stayed away from the Waddington Single Farmers crowd. Nope. Not that, no Siree.

  ***

  “So what’ll it be Matt?”

  “Evening Bob, pint of the guest bitter for me and… “ Matt glanced over at Ana and raised a brow in silent question.

  “Hmm, I’ll have the same,” she replied confidently to Bob..

  “Are you sure?” Matt said, raising his brow even higher.

  She turned to face him and put a hand on her hip. “Yes. Why?”

  Matt shrugged, “Just thought you’d prefer wine to beer, or at least something with a straw and cocktail umbrella in it.” He shared a knowing smile with the long serving bar owner..

  “Is that so? It’s dangerous to make assumptions, Mr Darling. I should know, before I met you, I assumed all Yorkshire folk were salt of the earth types, friendly to all travelers,” she chastised, and Matt heard Bob try unsuccessfully to stifle his laugh as she continued, “Apparently us Southerners have been living under a misapprehension that all Yorkshire people are warm and welcoming, walk around sporting a flat cap with a friendly ferret in their coat pocket.” She held her hand up towards the bar. “No offence Bob. But then I met you.” She drilled Matt with an accusatorial stare.

  Matt glanced back at the barman for support and took a deep breath. “Make that two pints Bob, and whatever Pip is drinking when she drags herself away from the games room.”

  Bob was still struggling to keep a straight face. “Sure thing. You ‘n your feisty southern lass go ‘n grab a table and I’ll bring ‘em on over.”

  ***Matt ignored the barman’s comment as he turned to face her. “It seems Pip has abandoned you with me. Shall we?” Matt motioned for her to make her way over towards a quieter section of the bar and a table with two large red leather chesterfields in front of another roaring log fire. God she could get used to these, but there was no way she could have one fitted in her apartment in London. Not that it would ever get used, she was barely there… she caught herself and remembered that she’d be in New York soon and she doubted her apartment there, chosen by someone else, would have a real fire.

  Once settled she took a closer look around the warm, friendly, and inviting pub. It had taken about thirty minutes to walk there, slowed down by the snow and slippery road. She and Pip had become instant friends and had linked arms and giggled like school girls as they slid around almost losing their balance several times while Matt muttered to himself as he walked behind them with George in tow. It had suddenly hit her how much she had missed close female companionship. She and her mother hadn’t been close. Ever. She’d never had a sister or female cousin and her closest friend had been Alix. She decided that she liked it and could very easily get used to it, and that scared her. Two days; that’s all you’re here for Ana, then back to reality.

  The pub looked like an old coaching house with low hanging ceiling and exposed wooden beams: lots of brass trinkets scattered about and Toby Jugs hanging from those low ceilings. It was the sort of old style country pub that the big chains tried to replicate en mass, sometimes successfully. Both she and Matt had to duck their heads when they’d walked in and she’d smiled at the brass sign saying, “Duck or grouse”. She ducked.

  It was made up of a number of smaller rooms and it was clear that each area was distinct. The room immediately to th
e right as they entered entertained the more senior patrons enjoying card games and dominos and she imagined that, before the smoking ban, the room would have featured a permanent smoky haze. She could hear more enthusiastic noise from the far end of the pub and Pip had told her that that was where the games room was before disappearing off in search of James, leaving her with Matt and making a vague promise that she’d be back shortly. She began to wonder if she had been played by Pip and whether there was an agenda she was missing…

  The rest of the eclectic pub was made up of quiet tables with couples and families enjoying what looked like good home cooked food if the smells were anything to go by. There was a lovely atmosphere and every so often there would be a louder cheer and laughter from either the games room or from the chap’s playing dominos.

  Bob delivered their drinks and made a quick getaway. “Cheers.” Matt held up his pint glass to her and took a long gulp.

  “Cheers.” She sipped on the frothy beverage. Hmm, okay, an acquired taste but no way in hell was she going to say anything other than “Yum” as she placed her glass on the table and crossed her legs.

  “Okay, so if I’m going to be staying with you, I think it’s only fair you tell me more about yourself. It’s clear that you have formed an opinion about me so it’s only fair I get to see whether my opinion of you is correct.”

  He mimicked her position. “And what opinion is that? Not that I am remotely bothered, you understand, but please do enlighten me.”

  “I’m not ready to disclose it yet,” she challenged. “I’ll reserve my final judgment until the end of this conversation.” She took another sip of the disgusting drink.

  “Ha,” he chuckled, “what is this, Mr and Mrs?”

  “What? Not that I’m saying you would but you could just Google me to find out everything about the nitty gritty of my life. I’m sure even my bra size is on Wikipedia if anyone was interested.” She wasn’t joking.