She reached his side, put her arms around Sterling, went on her toes, and pressed her cool lips to his cheek.
He simply stood stiff and unyielding. Bitterness at her abandonment, which had accompanied him these many years, nearly choked him.
“Did you visit Madeira and your brother?” she asked after she stepped away, not appearing at all flustered that he hadn’t returned her affection.
“I will stop and visit Elliot on my return to England.”
“He seems to enjoy his life there.” She turned and glided across the room to stand near the window that looked out over her favored gardens.
How could she know what Elliot or any of them enjoyed?
Movement outside, beyond his mother, caught his attention. Straining, he noted a lone woman with dark hair ride toward the fields. Even though she was using sidesaddle, she was not wearing a riding habit, which left a good portion of her leg exposed.
Were hoydens common in the Cape Colony or just at Wyndview Farm? If it were only here, then who was she?
“Where did you visit?”
His mother’s question pulled him away from his wondering about the mysterious woman, and he returned his attention to her.
“Vineyards in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal as well as quarries in Italy and Greece.”
She arched a brow. “Goodness! How long have you been traveling?”
“I left home nearly a year ago.”
“That is a good deal of time to be away from Trade Wynd,” she mentioned in a curious tone.
“Damian has Trade Wynd well in hand. My presence is not necessary.” His younger brother had overseen the docks, warehouses, and scheduling ships for Trade Wynd since their father died and Sterling’s presence truly was not needed.
Her lips thinned as she nodded. If she wanted a conversation about his travels or family, she would be disappointed.
“And you are here because we are in a business relationship and for no other reason.”
“I am here because I own the vineyard and it is necessary that I tour the estate and see where we make wine.”
“You were born and raised here. I find it difficult to believe you do not remember.”
“As you know, I was ten and two when we moved to England, therefore, I was quite unaware of the details involved in the management of Wyndview Farm. I intend to rectify that failing.”
She nodded again. “I suppose you want to review the books as well.”
“Of course.”
At least she now understood that this was not to be a friendly visit and perhaps he would not need to remain very long.
“Where is the estate manager?” The man should be able to provide him with all the information he required and allow Sterling to limit any interaction with his mother.
“Hallaway is not available to you, but away.” His mother smiled as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Perhaps she did not. She lived here alone, by choice, with financial support previously provided by his father and now him.
“Besides, you just arrived, therefore, we will have tea. Then you will rest. Tonight, we will dine and tomorrow you can begin your inspection.”
If she thought to manage him or his time while he was at Wyndview Farm, his mother was mistaken.
Sterling stared into her pale-blue eyes and for the first time noticed a hint of sadness in contrast to her smile and warm welcome. His mother portrayed happiness that might not exist, which if that were the case, it was of her own making.
He was also about to tell her that he had no interest in taking tea and intended to find Hallaway when something, or someone, ran headlong into the back of his legs almost knocking him off balance.
Sterling slowly turned and looked down to find a little girl of no more than five or six, brown eyes wide with fear, backing away from him. Had she not seen him standing there or had she been running without looking at where she was going?
