Page 77 of The Mad Marchams

“His lordship approves of you.”

“That was approval?” Mabel looked at him.

“High praise indeed,” Bartle said. “I told him you were a good ‘un. I’m glad he’s come around.”

Colin looked up as she approached him. “I thought you needed rescuing. What on earth was the old man saying to put that look on your face?”

“Nothing in particular,” Mabel said. “He was just thanking me for taking the dogs out every day.”

“I’m sure he said a lot more than that.” Colin studied her intently. “Was he talking about me?”

“A little.” Mabel knew she was a terrible liar. “He’s definitely coming around to you.”

“Oh great. Maybe in another ten years he’ll manage to tell me that himself,” Colin said. “But I won’t get my hopes up.”

Dale came back from getting another drink and squeezed in between them. “I’m thinking the house would be great for interior locations.”

“Thanks.” Colin smiled. “If you want a proper tour, let me know, and I’ll show you around.”

“Thanks.” Dale grinned back at him. “My boss is going to love me for finding this place and you.”

Mabel cleared her throat. “It was my idea, you know.”

“Mabel is quite extraordinarily good about organizing things.” Colin gave her a hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without her now.”

Mabel was smiling into his eyes when she felt a shadow fall over her and looked up.

“Sam?” She blinked at Joss’s girlfriend and her stomach did an uncomfortable flip. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to get my boyfriend back.” Sam’s voice trembled. “Where is he?”

Mabel rose to her feet. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Joss came to you!”

Mabel pretended to look around and kept her tone even. “I think I would’ve noticed if that were the case, Sam. He isn’t here and he hasn’t contacted me to say he’s coming to the UK.”

Sam stamped her foot and burst into tears. “He must be here! You’re lying!”

Aware that people around them were beginning to take an interest and worried about Sam’s mental state, Mabel drew her off to one side.

“Are you okay? Do you need me to call someone for you?”

“I just want Joss!”

“Does he know you’ve flown halfway around the world to see me?” Mabel asked. “Won’t he be worried?”

“Stop trying to be nice to me!” Sam said. “You know exactly what is going on.”

“I really don’t.” Mabel looked helplessly at Colin who immediately came over.

He stepped between Mabel and Sam. “Hi! I’m Colin, Mabel’s boyfriend. You must be exhausted after all that traveling. Would you like to come up to the house and have a nice cup of tea?”

Sam looked at Mabel. “You… have a boyfriend?” Mabel nodded. “Does he know you’re also messing around with Joss?”

Mabel took a deep restorative breath. “Please listen to me. I have no interest in Joss. Why would I when I’m in a relationship with the heir to all this?” She gestured at the vast pile of Marcham Hall.

Sam’s lip wobbled and Colin offered her his hand. “Come on up to the house. If you’re very lucky, I’ll even see if I can rustle up some ice for your water.”