by Joanna Neil
‘I thought he would manage it, given time. He’s always been a determined man. He just needs to strengthen his muscles now.’ He studied her. ‘I expect Jessica will be going home soon—how will you feel about that? You’ve enjoyed being with her and the baby, haven’t you? I heard you telling Hannah a bit about him.’
Her mouth turned down at the corners. ‘I’ll hate it when she leaves but Ryan’s coming back next week and they’ll want to be together in their own home, of course. I’m taking a few days off work to go there with her to help her settle back in...just until Ryan’s home.’
‘That sounds like a good idea.’ He frowned. ‘She doesn’t like it there, though, does she? She mentioned something to me about it, and I remember you telling me her house is not up to much and there’s no garden, just a small yard out back.’
‘That’s right. It was all they could afford at the time.’ She sighed. ‘She says she wants to move back to the village. It was where she was born, after all. Ryan’s happy to do that but they have to find the right place, somewhere within their budget.’
‘Won’t Jessica miss your mother if she does that?’
Sophie nodded. ‘I’m sure she will...but it’s only about an hour away on the train—a bit longer by car. Up to now we’ve taken it in turns to make the journey, so we all get to see each other at least once a week. It seems to have worked out reasonably well, so far.’
Nate was deep in thought for a minute or two and she looked at him questioningly. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, absolutely. I was just wondering whether they might want to live at the Manor. The place is far too big for me. It takes me all my time to use the main part of the house, and then there are the East and the West Wings that can be more or less turned into self-contained units if necessary. If they had part of the East Wing, for instance, they would have access to a terrace and the garden, and there’s a kitchen there that used to be the old scullery. They could stay as long as they wanted, make it their home or use it while they build up their finances to get a place of their own.’ He sent her a cautious glance. ‘What do you think?’
She gasped, her eyes widening. ‘What do I think? Oh, Nate!’ She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth. ‘I think you’re wonderful, fantastic, beyond words.’
He looked at her in stunned surprise, laughing uncertainly as his hands went automatically around her waist as though they belonged there. She kissed him again, a longer kiss this time, equally fervent. ‘No wonder I love you so much,’ she said in a contented whisper. She clung to him, her soft curves crushed against his hard body.
‘Sophie... I... We said we wouldn’t do this...’ He gently tried to push her away but his hands were trembling and the knowledge that he was so affected by her made her blood sizzle with renewed vigour.
‘You’ve got to be kidding,’ she said, smiling up at him.
He shook his head, a look of anguish on his face. ‘It’s too difficult for me if you wrap yourself around me this way,’ he said in a distracted, ragged tone. ‘I’m only flesh and blood—you’re making it way too hard for me to resist you.’
‘Good. I’m glad.’ She looked at him with sparkling, mischievous eyes. ‘It was a silly idea in the first place. Why on earth would you want to keep me away when I can help you get through this awful time? I won’t stay away. That’s not what love’s about, is it? Love is about being there for each other through the hard times. Why should you struggle on your own when I can share your troubles with you? You know what they say—a problem shared is a problem halved?’
‘Ah... Sophie...that’s not always the case but...’ At last he gave in with a small shuddery sigh that seemed to ricochet through his whole body. Joy surged in her at his capitulation, and when he bent his head and rested his forehead against hers, she knew the sweet scent of success. ‘I hope you don’t come to regret this,’ he said huskily. ‘Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.’
‘Yeah, you did...but it didn’t work.’ She smiled impishly and he kissed her feverishly, with growing passion until she was breathless with longing.
They came up for air just as they heard the door open and someone came into the room. By the time Tracey came over to the coffee machine and saw them there, they had managed to compose themselves once more.
‘Oh, hi there,’ Tracey said, pausing to look in the fridge. ‘Did I hear there were doughnuts to be had?’
‘There certainly are—in the white box.’ Nate smiled at her. ‘They say an army marches on its stomach. I think the same goes for hospital staff—we can’t work properly if we’re hungry.’
Tracey laughed and bit into the doughnut. ‘Mmm...delicious. Just what I needed.’ She looked at Nate. ‘I saw an article on the Manor House in the paper the other day—the photo that went alongside it was beautiful with the sun glowing on the stonework...and the stable block at the back through the courtyard...and the grounds looked so lush. I can’t imagine living in a place like that... I’d never want to come in to work—I’d want to go out and explore it every day. It makes me think how it might have been in Regency times—peaceful and perfect and genteel.’
‘There is that, I suppose.’ Nate thought about it. ‘There are portraits of the ancestors in the West Wing—women in their ballgowns or day dresses, and the men rigged out in their finery. I take it for granted, probably, and I tend not to think about it too much—I’m too busy trying to be a doctor.’
‘Yes... I can see you have your priorities sorted.’ Tracey smiled and helped herself to coffee while Sophie and Nate excused themselves and prepared to go back to the Children’s Unit.
‘You didn’t send the ancestral portraits to auction, then?’ Sophie said quietly as they walked along the corridor. ‘I saw some of the paintings being collected one day when I was walking Charlie.’
He shook his head. ‘No, only some that I really didn’t like. Quite a few were stored in the attic and hadn’t seen the light of day for many years. The proceeds will go towards the work on the fishing lodges.’
She glanced at him. ‘You know, Tracey may have come up with something when she mentioned the Regency period of the Manor House. You often get film companies or TV production companies wanting to use historic houses as locations. It might be worth thinking of that as an option. I don’t know whether it would make much of a difference to your situation.’
To her surprise, he nodded. ‘Actually, ever since that picture appeared in the paper I’ve been receiving requests from companies interested in using the property. I wasn’t sure how much of a disruption it would be—but I’m told it would be the ideal location for a TV drama series set in the mid-nineteenth century, and also there’s a company looking to make a period adventure film with a grand mansion at its centre. I’m not sure. They won’t need to use the whole house, but they’re happy that there’s plenty of space for the trucks and equipment. They won’t be there for too long, I imagine. What do you think?’
Her eyes widened. ‘I think it sounds really exciting, and I can’t see too many problems as long as you’re dealing with companies that have good reputations. I think you need to give it some deep thought. It’s your home, after all.’ She frowned. ‘Perhaps you could persuade them to keep the disruption to a minimum—have them use separate entrances, maybe? And I guess the vehicles might be hidden by the trees and shrubs if they used the West side of the house. What matters is that you feel comfortable with your decision.’
‘Thanks, Sophie. I knew you would put it all into perspective for me.’ He put his arm around her and briefly hugged her. ‘You’re right. I need to give it a lot of thought.’
They went their separate ways, attending to their small patients. Sophie’s mind was buzzing with questions yet to be answered as she checked lab reports and studied X-ray films and CT scans. What would he decide?
* * *
; Sophie was away from home for the next few days, so she didn’t get the chance to be with him and work through the choices he might make. Instead, she helped Jessica get her house organised and pristine once more after the boiler and central-heating repairs.
‘I can hardly believe Nate is being so generous, offering us a place in his home,’ Jessica said excitedly. ‘I talked to Ryan about it on the phone and he thinks it’s a great idea...though, with all the business of the film-company offer and so on, Nate probably has too much on his mind. He might have had second thoughts about it.’
Sophie shook her head. ‘No, he called me this morning and said you can move in whenever you want.’ She looked at the baby lying in his cradle. He opened his eyes and looked at her, making little gurgling sounds and blowing tiny bubbles from his perfect mouth. Sophie lightly stroked his soft palm and he gripped her fingers tightly in response. She smiled down at him. ‘Nate said there’s a room that can be turned into a nursery,’ she told Jessica. ‘You just need to let him know how you want it decorated and he’ll get things organised.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait!’
Ryan came home next day and Sophie left the two of them to spend time together with their baby. She arrived home and a bit later she went over to her father’s house, to find him and Rob preparing for another meeting at the Manor. It was Friday evening and Nate had phoned her earlier to make sure she would be able to come along.
‘He’s invited all the villagers from the estate, plus any others who are interested in knowing what he plans to do,’ her father said. ‘Do you know what he has in mind?’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t. He was sifting through various options, talking with the bank manager and so on, last time I spoke to him about it.’ She looked at her father, spruce in a dark grey suit and shiny polished shoes. ‘You’re looking very smart,’ she said. ‘It’s not a formal do, is it? Nate didn’t mention anything like that.’ She was a bit concerned that she might not be dressed for the occasion. She was wearing a soft wool dress with a slightly off-the-shoulder neckline and three-quarter sleeves. It was comfortable and classic and she felt good in it.
Her father laughed. ‘No, it isn’t a formal do... I just wanted to celebrate being able to get out of the wheelchair and stand up for a while. See?’ He stood up carefully, taking his time, and Rob came over to him and handed him a couple of elbow crutches.
‘One step at a time, Dad,’ he said. ‘Remember how we practised this...’
Sophie watched as her father slowly walked across the room, straight-backed and proud. ‘Oh, Dad,’ she cried, going over to him. ‘It’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.’ She hugged him, and hugged her brother. ‘Now look what you’ve both done,’ she said, choked up. ‘I’m all tearful and at this rate I’ll have to do my make-up all over again!’
They both laughed and a few minutes later they all set off for the Manor House.
Nate greeted them and showed them into the long panelled room where everyone was assembled, helping themselves to refreshments. There was a variety of food, as before, with southern fried chicken, spring rolls and salsa dips, and a range of desserts that included strawberry bruschetta and dishes of Eton mess.
Nate drew Sophie to him and dropped a kiss on her mouth. ‘I’m really glad you’re back,’ he said, grabbing her hand and leading her over to the side of the room where a bar had been set up. He handed her a glass of wine and murmured, ‘I have to go and talk to everyone—help yourself to food and sit down close by me, will you? It’s good to have you here. I can’t tell you how much I worried while you were away. I thought you might have changed your mind about us, knowing what might lie ahead.’
She looked at him thoughtfully. ‘You’re still worried I might disappear out of your life?’
He moved his shoulders awkwardly. ‘I wanted so much for things to work out for us. I hardly dared hope...’
‘You know I’ll be here for you, always. The way I feel won’t ever change, Nate.’
He exhaled slowly and gently squeezed her fingers. ‘I’m glad. Hearing you say it makes me feel so much better.’ He braced himself. ‘Here goes, then.’
He called for everyone to take a seat, and when they were settled, he said, ‘Thank you for coming here today. I know you’ve all been worried about what might happen to the estate...to your homes. I’m here to tell you what’s been decided and how we’ll be going forward from now on. None of it involves Peninsula Holdings. I turned their offer down and they won’t be coming back.’
A cheer went up and he smiled. ‘Yes, I thought you would like that. But I have accepted a couple of other offers that might affect you in a roundabout way. I’ve agreed to let a TV company use the West Wing of the Manor House in order to make a period drama series, and I’ve also signed an agreement to allow a film company to use the house at a later date.’
There were gasps of astonishment from the villagers and a buzz of excited conversation started up. People started asking questions and Nate held his hand up for quiet. ‘I know there are things you want to ask,’ he said, ‘and there will be time for that. Let me just say that the activities of the companies will take a matter of months and there shouldn’t be any impact on the village—apart from perhaps a few more customers in the shops or the pub for a while.’
‘Will we get a visit from Colin Firth?’ one woman called out hopefully.
‘Does Daniel Craig do period drama?’ another asked with a wistful expression.
Sophie laughed, and Nate smiled. ‘I wouldn’t know about that,’ he said. ‘All I want to say, to finish, is that your houses are safe and you need have no worries for the future on that account.’
Everyone started talking at once and Sophie took a moment to quietly say to him, ‘Has it really solved all of your problems? Are you out of the woods now?’
He nodded. ‘Oh, yes,’ he said. ‘They’re paying me an embarrassing amount of money—a lot of it up front, so I can categorically say the future’s looking rosy.’
She laid a hand on his arm, her fingers curling around his sleeve. ‘I’m so happy for you. I know how much all this means to you.’
‘It means everything to me to know that your father’s house is safe and his way of life won’t be disrupted any more. He’s doing so well, isn’t he? And you and I... Now we can have a future together, can’t we, Sophie?’
‘We always could,’ she said. ‘You know I don’t need a Manor House and all the trappings of an estate to keep me happy. I just want you—the man who saves a little boy’s life when he collapses in the street, or feeds a baby in Neonatal—the man who brings my sister to me and gives my brother a lift late at night. You’re everything I want, Nate.’
He bent his head to her and kissed her. ‘I can’t wait for everyone to go,’ he said under his breath. ‘I want you all to myself.’
She chuckled and went with him to mingle with the crowd and answer questions about the TV production and his plans for the estate.
Her father hugged her as he said goodbye a while later. ‘You and Nate are obviously very happy with one another,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased for you. Does your mother know?’
‘I mentioned it to her when I went over to Jessica’s house. She seemed to accept it. I think she’ll be happy as long as you’re happy with it.’
He nodded. ‘I’ll give her a call.’
He and Rob left to go home, and gradually the rest of the villagers began to take their leave. Nate and Sophie saw them off, and when the last one had gone, Nate gave a soft sigh of relief.
‘Come into the drawing room with me,’ he said, taking Sophie by the hand and leading her into a room off the wide hallway. ‘I have something for you.’
Sophie looked around. She remembered this room from before, with its pale silk wall coverings, cream sofas and luxurious oriental rug. The curtains were drawn now, beautiful brocade dra
pes that elegantly skirted the floor. Several lamps were lit in here, casting a golden glow over the room, and the wood-burning stove flickered with gentle heat in the inglenook fireplace.
Nate went over to a bureau in the corner of the room. He took a small box from a drawer and turned to her. ‘I wanted to give you this,’ he said, going over to where she stood in the middle of the room and getting down on one knee in front of her. He carefully opened the box to reveal an exquisite sparkling diamond ring nestled on a bed of silk. Brilliant light was reflected from every perfect facet.
Sophie gasped. ‘Oh, Nate...’
‘Will you marry me, Sophie?’ he asked. ‘Will you accept this ring as a token of my love and as my promise that I will always be yours?’
‘Oh, Nate...yes.’ Her voice broke with emotion. ‘I will. I’m overwhelmed.’
He exhaled slowly as though he’d been holding his breath in preparation for her answer. He stood up and placed the box on a table, taking out the ring and turning towards her once more. He reached for her left hand and carefully slid the ring on to her finger. ‘It fits perfectly, doesn’t it?’ he said. ‘I asked Jessica your ring size.’
‘Ah...that’s how you knew. Yes, it does... Wait till I see her—she didn’t say a word to me about this! Nate, it’s so beautiful.’ She looked at him, her eyes shining with happiness.
‘It’s where it belongs—on your finger. There’s a wedding ring made to go with it. Perhaps we could make it a short engagement? I know it’s traditional to have a summer wedding, but I was thinking maybe Christmas would be a good time? We could be married in the village church and then come back here for the celebrations. What do you think?’
She lifted her arms to him and wound them lightly around his neck. ‘I think that sounds wonderful,’ she said.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and drew her to him. ‘We could honeymoon in the Caribbean, after the festivities. Do you think you would like that?’
‘Anywhere would be lovely,’ she murmured, ‘as long as I’m with you.’
