Nevertheless, she had to head back to her shop as soon as possible. She needed to find them a new place to live, and without Big B’s winnings, things would become even more complicated without some sort of income to survive on. With that in mind, Mara donned a light blue day dress, another gift from Lyra, and intended to set out to do just that, but fate obviously had other plans, for the moment she opened her chamber door, a footman was on the other side, his hand poised to knock.
Appearing as taken aback as she was, the footman cleared his throat and quickly recovered his composure, “Lady Rockford is here to see you, miss.”
Athena was here?Mara hesitated only a moment before she murmured her thanks, whereas the servant mentioned that he’d put the countess in the front parlor, before bowing and taking his leave. Putting a hand to her pounding heart, she realized she hadn’t spoken with Athena since that day at the haberdashery when her perfidy had been revealed. Suddenly she was rather wary of what the woman might have to say to her. Would she withdraw her offer of friendship? Berate her for her deception?
Without daring to delay Lady Rockford any longer, Mara went downstairs, and after a quick glance in the foyer mirror to make sure she looked as presentable as possible she lifted her chin and strode into the parlor. In the end, all of Mara’s reservations were for naught, for when Athena turned at her entrance, the countess looked just as uncertain of her reception. “I hope you don’t think me too forward to call upon you,” Athena began slowly. “I just wanted to see how you were faring after…everything.”
“Thank you, my lady. Rest assured, Lord Eversleigh has been most kind,” Mara said, and Athena’s shoulders slumped slightly as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Lady Rockford offered a friendly smile. “I understand Lady Weston is also in residence?” At Mara’s nod to the affirmative, Athena added, “While Lyra and I haven’t been acquaintances for long, Lord Eversleigh and my husband are good friends. Do you think she would mind if I called upon her to ask after her welfare?”
“I think Lyra would like that very much,” Mara said sincerely, “Perhaps between the two of us we can coax her out of her room.”
“I will certainly do what I can to help.” Athena bit her lower lip uncertainly before she blurted out, “I’m sorry that I caused so much trouble for you before, Miss Sm…er…Miller. After all you did to help me, if I would have but known—”
Mara felt a smile tug at her lips. It was obvious she had judged Athena too harshly. While she had recently wed a peer of the realm, her indecision gave credence to the fact she was still tentative about her new role as a confident lady of theton. Reaching out, she took the countess’s hands in her own. “Please, think no more on the matter. My deception was bound to come to light at some point once Roarke had returned to London. I do not fault you in any way. Whatever difficulties I am presented with now are my burden and mine alone.”
Lady Rockford gave a shuddering sigh as if she were perilously close to tears. When she raised her blue eyes, they glistened with emotion. “You are too forgiving. You don’t know how concerned I’ve been over the entire matter.”
“Don’t ever doubt that you are one of my dearest friends.” On impulse, Mara reached out and gave Athena a hug.
“Thank you.” Athena brushed away a tear. “Oh, just look at me. This pregnancy has turned me into a veritable watering pot.”
Mara gasped. “I had no idea you were expecting! Congratulations!”
“Again, thank you.” Lady Rockford smiled before she turned serious once again. “I know you don’t want to hear this again, but just remember that my previous offer still stands if you have need of it.”
Mara’s first instinct was to refuse, but so many things had changed since that day at her shop when she was still playing the part of Miss Anna Smith, and Roarke was happily oblivious of her treachery. In the end, she murmured, “Let us hope my current situation doesn’t come to that.” Looping her arm through Athena’s, she brightened, “Shall we pay our respects to Lady Weston now?”
* * *
Roarke wasn’t surprised when he returned to Mara’s chamber through the connecting door that evening, and she didn’t even glance up at his entrance, although he knew she was aware of his presence. Curled up in the wingback chair by the fireplace, she was reading theLadies Companionof all things. “Have you actuallyreadany of this ridiculous book?” Mara shook her blonde head as she tossed the slim volume aside and crossed her arms. “If you truly expect me to believe a single thing written in there, I fear you are doomed to disappointment.”
Roarke felt the corners of his mouth twitch in amusement. He’d been apprehensive about how to approach Mara after last evening’s disaster, but apparently his concern was for naught. With his hands in his trouser pockets, he shrugged nonchalantly. Knowing he was going to get a rise out of her, he kept his tone perfectly bland when he asked, “You don’t find it beneficial?”
Mara’s mouth fell open. “Not in the least! It’s nothing but twaddle and if you think for one minute—” she stopped abruptly, only then realizing that his hazel eyes were twinkling merrily. “You are an absolute beast, do you know that?”
“I have been told that on occasion. Rather recently, in fact.” Roarke smiled, recalling Lyra’s accusation.
Mara rolled her eyes before she finally took note of his attire. “Aren’t you a bit overdressed for a night in?”
He glanced down at his formal wear. Dressed in contrasting black and white, Roarke decided that he liked the simplicity of the style, and he could certainly appreciate something that didn’t involve yellow or pink embroidery. “Actually, I was on my way out.”
“Oh.” For some reason, this seemed to surprise her, but she recovered quickly enough. “I see. Well…have a good time then.”
Again, his mouth twitched. “I’m only going to White’s for a bit. You’d be surprised at the amount of gossip one can pick up from a bunch of inebriated aristocrats who gossip as much as their servants.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t matter to me where you go.” Mara crossed her arms defiantly, though by the way her shoulders eased some of their tension, she was more relieved at this news than she wanted to acknowledge.
Still as prickly as ever.
Remembering that patience was key in drawing her out of her shell, even if he might be sacrificing his sanity in the interim, Roarke shook his head before he noticed a sketchpad tucked into the chair beside her feet. Gesturing to it, he took a step closer. “What are you working on there?”
Mara hesitated before she drew the pad forward and handed it to him without a word.
Taking a seat across from her, he glanced at the rough sketch. “Is that Rufus?” He asked with a surprised lift of his brows.
“It’s supposed to be,” Mara grimaced. “I was trying to draw his likeness, at least what I could remember of him.”
