A Question of Love (9 page)

`
Would that be so terrible?’ he asked, his grey eyes sparkling with laughter.

`
Not for you maybe. You’ll be on your way back to Australia. I shall be the one left to disillusion them all.’

`
What about you, young Rosie, will ye tak a dram?’

`
If I can pour my own,’ Rosanne said, seeing the large measure in the glass he had handed Euan. `Do you have any lemonade? Or water will do.’

`
Och lassie, you’ll ruin a drop o’ good scotch if ye water it down.’

`
Yes, but I have to drive home so I’ll just have a sip to drink your good health. I don’t want the police breathalysing me.’

`
You havenae far to go. You’re only down the road.’ He stopped, frowning, remembering. `But the police might be looking around. Did ye hear somebody stole eight o’ my prime lambs?’

`
Yes. I’m really sorry to hear about that. Have they any idea who the thieves might be?’

`
No, but they must have an outlet – like hotels, or a butcher, or maybe they send them down in London.’

`
Did you hear anything the night they took them?’ Roseanne asked.

`
No, but I dinnae hear so well these days. Jess there,’ he nodded towards the collie dog lying on a rug beside the door. She cocked an ear at the sound of her name then settled down again. ‘Her ears are sharp enough. She wakened me up with her barking. I looked out o’the door but we’re in a bit of a hollow here at the house and I couldnae see the top fields. I thought I saw lights in the sky though. Jess wanted to run out but I dinnae let her. I was feart she’d get shot if it was poachers. She means everything to me, does Jess. I dinnae ken what I’d do without her.’

`
Are the police patrolling the area now they know there are thieves around?’ Euan asked.

`
Aye but they’ll not get my lambs back. They’ll be slaughtered by now,’ Mr Arnold said glumly. `If I’d had hundreds o’ sheep I might not have missed them for a week or more. Anyway Rosie, tell me how Simon is and what he’s doing these days. He usually buys my spring lambs when they’re ready.’

They
told him all their news and he reminisced happily about his young days and her grandparents and other neighbours who had come and gone during his lifetime.

`
Your sister never enjoyed the farm like you did, Rosie. What is she doing? Is she married?’

`
No not yet. She travels a lot. People take photographs of her to advertise their clothes, or shampoo or perfume – all sorts of things. She gets plenty of work.’

`
Queer sort o’ life…’ he muttered, shaking his head.

He
thanked them several times for coming when they rose to take their leave.

`
Be sure to come again,’ he repeated as he saw them to the Land Rover.

`
I’m glad we called,’ Roseanne said. `It’s terrible that the thieves have got away with an old man’s livelihood.’

`
Yes. I’m pleased you let me accompany you. I enjoyed hearing about the old characters and about all the mistakes Uncle Simon made when he first started farming. I know a lot more about the wild child you must have been too.’ He grinned when she pulled a face at him. This was a totally different Roseanne to the serious and efficient Miss Fairfax at Kershaw & Company.

The
following morning they enjoyed their ride out on the horses but Roseanne was careful not to accept any challenges which might involve forfeits. She was already more affected by Euan’s company than she cared to admit. Afterwards she cooked them both a good breakfast while Euan groomed and fed the horses, but she was anxious to be on her way, and wondering at herself for being so easily persuaded to change her plans.

The
roads were quiet early on a Sunday morning and they chatted companionably.

`
I suppose the new computers you’ve installed will be quite expensive?’ she asked. `What sort of arrangement did you come to with your uncle?’

`
We didn’t have time to go into details. Don’t worry about it. It’s not your problem. I have to stand much bigger outlays than this until a contract is complete. I expect Uncle K will sanction payment when he returns.’ Roseanne frowned. It was all she could do to refrain from telling him it was very much her concern. They never made changes without discussing them first and they always agreed a firm price in writing with the firm concerned before the work commenced. Simon Kershaw left the cash flow and costs entirely in her hands. Buying the meat and managing the processing plants were where his real interest and talents lay. Together they had made a good team and Kershaw & Co had expanded considerably.

`
Do you have the key to your new flat yet?’ Euan asked, interrupting her thoughts.

`
Yes. Why?’

`
We could pack some of the boxes straight into the van today and take them to the new place. There will be less to move next weekend.’

`
You’re determined to get me down to Ashburn next week aren’t you?’

`
If it’s at all possible.’ He grinned unrepentantly.

`
I’ve been thinking about it anyway. I feel uneasy about the Lennox’s being away when the thieves could still be around. They’ll notice there’s no smoke from the chimneys in either the Lennox’s house or the farmhouse, and no lights either if they’re keeping watch. Some of the rare breed animals are kept specifically for breeding. They’re almost irreplaceable. Any vehicle entering Ashburn has to drive past the Lennox’s house. If they see it is empty the thieves might risk going into the farm yard instead of having to round up animals in a field. They would be easy to load from the sheds.’ Euan nodded understanding.

`I hadn’t thought of
that, but I see what you mean,’ he said slowly, ruefully accepting that if she did change her mind about next weekend it would be for the sake of the animals, not because she felt an irresistible attraction for him, which had persuaded her.

`
Is there anything we can do about it?’

`Yes. I’ve been thinking
I’ll phone William and ask him to fix up some sort of time switch to have lights coming on in the hall at Ashburn, and maybe one of the bedrooms. I might telephone the local police and tell them the Lennox’s are away. They’ll be more likely to check.

`
That’s a good idea. And next weekend?’

`Mmm,
I expect the police will be busy enough at the weekends so I ought to go down but I need to hand over my keys to the new owners of my flat by five o’clock next Saturday. If you really do intend to help we could get most of my stuff to the new flat before that.’ She grimaced. `You’ll have to excuse me if I turn up for work looking creased and crumpled next week.’

`
I can’t imagine that happening to our efficient Miss Fairfax. We’ll move your clothes last thing and hang them straight into your new wardrobes.’

`
Thank you. I shall be grateful for that.’

`
There’ll be a price to pay of course,’ he said with a glint in his eyes.

`
I thought there might be,’ she quipped dryly, `but it will have to be at a price I'm willing to pay remember.’

He
wanted to say I want to see a whole lot more of the real Roseanne. I want to spend both days and nights in your company. Even as he thought these things he was amazed at himself. He had never had the slightest intention, or wish to get seriously involved with another human being. It had been a big enough commitment when his company had expanded so much he had needed to take on a partner and even then he had not felt able to trust one man so he had chosen two of his most reliable men and offered each of them a small percentage of his firm as working partners.

`
I’d like you to show me round this area, and spend some time looking around Edinburgh. Mother talked about going to North Berwick when she was young. Could we do that? Anything extra will be a bonus,’ he added with another of those wicked grins and jerky black eyebrows.

`
The most you’ll get for a bonus will be a home cooked dinner once I’m settled in,` Rosanne said darkly, `so don’t get your hopes up.`

`
I shall look forward to that and be thankful for small mercies,' he said with a smile which made Roseanne's heart give an unfamiliar lurch. She wished her insides wouldn’t quiver every time he threw her one of those challenging looks.

Seven

They
worked hard at the packing. Euan volunteered to deal with the kitchen and her bookshelves. He was surprisingly methodical and careful and Roseanne was amazed by the number of boxes they had had moved to her new flat by Sunday evening.

`
You’ve been a tremendous help, Euan. I never thought we’d get so much done today. Do you fancy a Chinese takeaway?’

`
That would be good. I’ll get us a bottle of wine. If we relax for an hour we could finish packing anything else you’ll not be needing during this next week.’

They
sat in the remaining two armchairs with a tray each and the coffee table for their wine glasses.

`
Here’s to a long and happy future for both of us,’ Euan said clinking his glass to hers.

`
I’m too tired to do any more packing tonight,’ Roseanne said, stifling a yawn.

`
How were you meaning to move these big chairs and your bed and dressing table without help?’ Euan asked, assessing what was left.

`
I’ll ask Sam to give me a lift.’

`
I suggest we move the rest of the boxes on Thursday evening after work and I’ll help you with the big stuff on Friday afternoon. There’s probably more here than we realise. We shall need a few more journeys yet.’

`
Yes Sir. Thank you, Sir,’ Roseanne said with false meekness, reminding him she did not appreciate being organised. He couldn’t help himself though. It was his nature and one of the reasons he had made a success of his business, but more importantly he wanted to be sure of being able to spend next weekend with her at Ashburn. He got to his feet and stood looking down at her. `I’ll give you a pull up. You’re obviously ready for bed when you’re too tired to argue with me.’ His eyes twinkled.

`
For once I agree with you.’

He
pulled her to her feet and right into his arms. She was too tired to resist and he brushed her mouth gently but firmly with his lips, teasing hers open and giving a gentle nibble at her lower lip before he released her.

`Good n
ight and sweet dreams,’ he said softly and let himself out.

***

`You’re looking as fresh as new paint this morning, Roseanne, in spite of your busy weekend,` Euan greeted her. He was coming into the building as she was going across to the packing house to ask Eileen to save her more boxes.

`
You scrub up well yourself. It’s surprising what sleep and a shower can do.’

`Mmm, it would have been even better if we could have done that together too,’ he said with a wicked grin as he went on his way.

During the morning Roseanne sent an email to Mr K’s laptop, telling him about the visit to Mr Arnold and the cattle rustlers, reporting on her telephone call to the police and her instructions to William about lights. She was astonished when she received a reply just before she switched off for the day.

`
Dear Roseanne, thank you for keeping me informed. You’ve done all you can, especially alerting the police. We’ll pray the thieves leave Ashburn alone. It didn't occur to me that Euan would be interested in visiting the farm. I am pleasantly surprised. It was good of you to take him with you and show him round. I thought you were planning to do your packing at the weekend ready for your move.’

Roseanne
sat staring at the screen and reading the email again. He couldn’t have forgotten he had asked her to show Euan around, could he? No, Mr K had an excellent memory. Something didn't quite add up. She had things to do so she switched off the computer and put it out of her mind - for now.

The
processing lines were all running at full strength which meant Roseanne and the rest of the office staff were kept busy too. Euan was spending most of his time watching how things were handled and getting to know the staff, assessing which ones would be capable of operating more modern machinery and who could be trained.

It had to be when they were all working flat out that one of the machines broke down. The firm who had installed them was very good with their back up service, not least because the Kershaw Meat Processing Company paid their bills on time in return for prompt attention. The young service engineer arrived soon after lunch on Tuesday. He was alone this time but the last time Roseanne had seen him he had been with the boss and still finishing his training. The workers urged him to get the repair done as fast as he could.

`This is putting us behind with a big order for one of the big London stores,’ the foreman told him anxiously. We can’t afford to lose their trade.’

`I’m doing my best,’ the young man said desperately, `but this spare part I’ve brought doesna seem to fit, yet the boss was certain it would be the right one.` When Euan came striding across the y
ard one of the women whispered, `This is Mr K’s nephew coming to see what’s holding us up. He’s a whizz with machines they say.’ Her words only made the young engineer more agitated. Euan’s presence made him feel his fingers were all thumbs.

Euan watched a while but he couldn’t keep silent any longer.

Anyone can see that part is never going to fit in with the cog it is supposed to drive,’ He said abruptly. Roseanne arrived in time to hear his critical tone.

`I’m sure your presence is only making Trevor more nervous, Euan. This is the first time he has been here alone.’

`That may be so but any fool can see that’s not the right part and the longer the machine is stopped the further behind we’re getting with the order. It was supposed to be despatched tonight I believe?’

`It was but that is not Trevor’s fault.’ The young man looked at her gratefully.

`He’s right though Miss Fairfax. It is the wrong part. My boss will be furious because he was so sure it would be the right one. Even worse, the works will be closed by the time I get back to pick up the right one.’ He gave Roseanne a pleading glance. `Could you phone and explain so that my boss gets all his bawling and growling over before I see him? C-could you ask him if Jimmy could drop off the correct part at my mother’s then I could leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow and get here early?’

`Very well, I’ll do that,’
Roseanne nodded resignedly. She turned to the rest of the group. `The rest of you may as well go home early. We shall have to put in a long day tomorrow to catch up and get the order despatched as soon as we can.’

Roseanne arrived early the following morning but Trevor was already working at the plant and Euan was working with him, wearing his faded jeans and with his sleeves rolled up. He looked masculine and attractive and Roseanne felt her stomach muscles clench in a way they never had before. She couldn’t understand why Euan should have such an effect on her. He looked up and caught her glance and grinned, almost as though he could read her thoughts. Roseanne blushed,
then felt furious with herself. The two men seemed to be getting on all right and she left them to it to get her own work forward. She knew they would have to work later this evening if they were to make up time with the order. She had telephoned to explain the delivery would be delayed and had received a very brusque and chilly response from the man at the other end. They couldn’t afford to lose such an important customer, especially during Mr K’s absence.

It was almost mid-day before the machine was repaired and checked, cleaned and sterilised ready to run. Roseanne knew all the workers and their circumstances and she went across to the factory line to speak to Anne Gray. The young woman looked strained and tired.

`You can leave at your usual time this afternoon, Anne. I will take your place on the line myself.’ She smiled. `It will be good for me to keep in practice,’ she assured her and was rewarded by the gratitude on the young woman’s face. Anne had ten month old twins and her husband worked shifts. His mother usually helped look after the children but she had not been in good health herself recently.

Euan was surprised when he saw Roseanne putting on a white coat and one of the hats worn by all the women on the processing line. It was almost the end of the day and the
staff from the other plants were already leaving.

`Whatever are you doing?’
he asked. She explained about Anne Gray.

`She is a good worker and she has been with us since she left school. Anyway it will be good for me to keep myself trained up in the process and I would not have gone home until I knew the order was safely into the chilled lorry and on its way.
’

`I see,
’ Euan said in bemused tones as he watched her tuck a few strands of her vibrant hair beneath the cap. `What time do you expect to finish?’

`We should be loaded by about eight thirty to nine o’ clock I think so it’s not too late. I am glad Trevor made an effort to get here so early this morning though or we would
have been here until midnight.’

`Even so you’ll be hungry and tired. I tell you what I’ll cook dinner for both of us in the flat. Will you promise to come up
as soon as you finish?’

`So long as you’re not cooking steak pie or sausages?
I couldn’t face them tonight, however good they are.’

All right, I promise to cook something light. I’m enjoying having a kitchen and doing some experimental cooking. Do you li
ke fish?’

`Yes, but a salad would do. It is all I would have the energy to make
by the time I get home anyway.’

`I’ll see what I can do, to please your ladyship,
’ he said with a grin, and Roseanne had to admit she enjoyed the pleasant camaraderie they shared since the weekend they had spent at Ashburn. She frowned, recalling his uncles’ strange comment regarding their visit to the farm. She must remember to ask Euan about that.

It had been a long day by the time everything was finished and made ready for the processing plant to begin all over again the following day. Although Roseanne was tired and almost wished she had said she would go straight home, she felt a glow of satisfaction at a job well done.

She climbed slowly up the steps to Mr K’s flat. She had often been in so she knew it was spacious and surprisingly luxurious for a man of Uncle Simon’s simple tastes.

`Aah, Roseanne you look all in,’
Euan greeted her warmly. `I have put some towels to warm in the bathroom. I thought you might be glad of a shower to freshen up before we eat?’

`Oh I would, if the meal will wa
it? Something smells delicious…’

`You’ll have to wait and see, but I’ll pour you a glass of wine to take with
you if you like? Red or white?’

`White
please with a large dash of soda water if you have any. Remember I have to drive home yet.’

`You don’t have t
o. There’s plenty of room here.’ She looked at him sharply and saw that he was smiling but his eyes were serious and her heart thudded at the invitation in them. It would be all too easy to fall in with Euan Kennedy’s wishes and she suspected he was a man who was used to getting his own way.

Apart from the two large fluffy towels there was an assortment of feminine toiletries to choose from. Euan’s own shower gel and aftershave and toothpaste were set apart on a glass shelf. She wondered if he entertained other women while he had the whole place to himself in the evenings. Some of the workers started early and she was sure there would be some gossip before long if he did. The thought did not please her, yet she had no claim on him, she reminded herself. Roseanne wished she had brought a change of clothes but she had not anticipated the day ending like this. At least she felt refreshed and clean and she had even tried the hair shampoo. She rubbed her hair vigorously but it was long and thick and she had to leave it loose to dry. It was already curling around her face in damp tendrils when she returned to the living room.

`Oh it is every bit as delightful as I imagined,’ Euan exclaimed as soon as he saw her and there was no denying the admiration in his eyes.

`
Wh-what do you mean?’

`You hair – hanging loose like that all around your shoulders.
It is enough to make a man wild, but it looks more golden in the lamplight. It’s beautiful.’ He wondered what she would say if he drew her close and buried his face in the sweet smelling tresses.

`I thought I would make use of the toiletries. Do you always keep a supply for the use of your lady friends?
’ She knew her voice was sharper than she had intended.

`Would you b
e a teeny bit jealous if I did?’ he teased.

`Of course not.
What you do in your leisure time is not my concern.’

`As a matter of fact I made a quick trip into the super market and brought the best they had on offer. I hope they were satisfac
tory?’

`They were.’
She smiled now. `More than satisfactory. Thank you for taking so much trouble.’

`I wanted some fresh salmon for our meal. I have made a salmon mousse so I hope it will have set in time. I have never used gelatine before and it took a bi
t longer than I expected.’ He looked as anxious as a small boy.