Page 48 of The Love Letter

‘Oh, he knows I’m not interested in running the farm, so he’ll keep the farmhouse and rent out the land to the neighbouring farmers. He’d never sell. He keeps hoping I’ll change my mind, which makes me feel guilty, but it’s not for me. Maybe one day I’ll have a son who has a thing for sheep, but . . .’ She shrugged. ‘Dynasties have to end at some point.’

‘Yeah, well, I’m the next in line to the Harrison dynasty and I’ve made a rubbish job of it so far,’ Marcus said.

‘Talking of which –’ Joanna cut into her steak – ‘any programme I found I put in a pile. They really shouldn’t be left up in the attic to rot. I’m sure the London Theatre Museum, for example, would be interested. Or I suppose you could hold an auction, raise money for the memorial fund, maybe?’

‘That’s a good idea. Mind you, whether Zoe would approve, I just don’t know. Those boxes were willed to her, after all. But there’s no harm in putting the idea to her, anyway.’

‘Excuse me for being blunt, but the way you describe her makes your sister sound like quite a tough cookie,’ commented Joanna.

‘Zoe? No.’ Marcus shook his head. ‘I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but you know what siblings are like.’

‘I don’t. I’m an only child. When I was younger, I always wanted a brother or sister to confide in.’

‘It’s not all it’s cracked up to be,’ Marcus said darkly. ‘I mean, I love Zoe, but we hardly had the ideal upbringing . . . I suppose from all the reading up on the family you’ve done, you know that our mum died when we were both young?’

‘Yes,’ she said quietly, seeing his expression. ‘I’m sorry, that must have been awful for you.’

‘Yeah.’ He cleared his throat. ‘But you know, I coped. We both had to grow up pretty quickly. Especially Zoe, what with Jamie arriving when she was so young . . .’

‘Do you know who the father is?’

‘No. And even if I did, I’d never tell,’ he said abruptly.

‘Of course not. And I promise I wasn’t asking that with my journalist’s hat on.’

‘’Course not.’ His expression softened. ‘Besides, I like you whatever hat you’re wearing. Anyway, Zoe’s great, fiercely protective of those she loves and very insecure beneath that serene exterior.’

‘Aren’t we all?’ Joanna breathed.

‘Yes. So, what’s the score with your love life, Miss Haslam? I detect a deep distrust of the male species lurking somewhere in your psyche.’

‘I had a long relationship with someone, which ended just after Christmas. I thought it was for life, but it wasn’t.’ Joanna sipped her wine. ‘I’m getting over it slowly, but these things take time.’

‘At the risk of getting my head bitten off for flirting, whoever that bloke is, he’s an absolute idiot.’

‘Thanks. And the one good thing that’s come out of it is that I’ve realised I’m just not willing to change who I am to suit someone else, if you know what I mean.’

‘I do,’ he said. ‘And you’re right not to let that happen – you’re lovely just as you are.’ As the words came out of his mouth, Marcus felt a peculiar tug at his heart. ‘Now, I fancy one of those enormous desserts with lashings of whipped cream, chocolate sauce and glacé cherries that you’d never see gracing the tables of London’s so-called fashionable restaurants. How about you?’

After coffee, Joanna paid the bill and they made their way back to Haycroft House. Marcus insisted Joanna sit by the fire while he went off to the kitchen. He arrived back a few minutes later clutching a furry hot-water bottle under each arm.

‘There you go. If I can’t keep you warm, then this will have to do instead.’

‘Thanks, Marcus. I’m going to go straight up, if you don’t mind. I’m exhausted for some reason. Goodnight.’ She moved towards him and kissed him on the cheek. He returned the kiss, dropping it lightly on her lips.

‘Night, Joanna,’ he murmured.

He watched her as she left the room, then sat down on the sofa and stared into the fire. There was just the tiniest chance, he admitted to himself, that he was actually falling in love with her.

Joanna closed the bedroom door behind her. She swallowed, trying to still her heartbeat. God, she’d wanted him just then . . .

No, this is a job, she told herself.

It was dangerous to become emotionally involved with Marcus. Apart from the fact that he might break her heart, it might cloud her judgement, complicate things.

Joanna took off her jeans and climbed into the big bed. And, tucking the hot-water bottle under her sweater, closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

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