Rufus had been a stray dog that had strolled onto Eversleigh land one day, not long after Mara and her father had moved there, and he remained there from that day on. Sadly, he’d died nearly two weeks after her father, shortly after Roarke had gone back to school after Christmas. While old age had undoubtedly been a factor for the mutt, for he was in rough shape when he’d arrived, Roarke wondered if it hadn’t been pure heartbreak that had put Rufus in his grave from losing his devoted master.
“Jack thought a lot of that ruffian,” Roarke noted fondly.
“They thought a lot of each other,” Mara amended with a light smile. “Originally Rufus was supposed to be my dog, but somehow my father came to adopt him.”
Roarke grinned. “Or perhaps it was the other way around, and Rufus adopted Jack.”
“That’s a definite possibility,” Mara laughed. “They were certainly inseparable.”
Just like us.Roarke wondered if he might have unknowingly spoken the words aloud for she instantly sobered, but perhaps she was merely thinking along the same lines. However, wishing to keep the subject in neutral territory, he brought up the one thing they could both agree on. “Lyra informed me that she had a pleasant visit with you and Lady Rockford today. I’m just sorry you weren’t able to coax her downstairs. She seems determined to shut herself off from the world, no matter how much I try.”
Mara’s brow puckered slightly. “She’s had a difficult time of it, but I will keep trying to encourage her.”
“I would appreciate that,” Roarke said in all honesty before his mouth turned down at the corners. “I worry about her. You don’t want to know what’s being said regarding Roger’s demise.”
“I know there’s always some sort of nasty gossip, but no one is trying to accuse Lyra of anything nefarious, surely?”
Roarke’s expression was grim. “I’m afraid so—to the point that Rockford has suggested I look into legal assistance for her defense.”
Her mouth fell open in astonishment. “That’s ridiculous! Lyra is innocent. She wouldn’t hurt anyone!”
“I fear the authorities don’t see it that way and for all intents and purposes, I have been given to wonder myself.” At the mutinous glimmer in Mara’s eyes, Roarke went on to explain the details of the case, and although he hadn’t told anyone else of Lyra’s near confession when she’d arrived at his house, he told Mara now.
“Don’t tell me thatyoudoubt her innocence?”
Unfortunately, he hesitated a moment too long.
Mara stiffened. “I knew that you believed the worst of me, but to imagine you would believe so of your own sister is unfathomable.”
“So I should completely ignore the words from her own lips?” He pointed out.
“I’msayingthat she was distraught when she said them and that even accidents that result in tragedy can make anyone feel responsible.”
A brief silence descended after her passionate outburst, giving Roarke cause to wonder if she wasn’t speaking from personal experience. In the end, he decided it was best to back off, lest the conversation turn any more heated. “I certainly hope you’re right.” Blowing out a breath, he stood. “Of course I’m going to keep an ear out for anything regarding Bentley as well. With any luck I’ll gain something of import.” Going out on a limb, he asked, “Perhaps we could meet over luncheon tomorrow?”
Mara twisted her hands in her lap, and he could tell he would be rebuffed, but not for the reasons he’d assumed. “Actually, I was planning to go to my shop in the morning.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Roarke frowned. “While you weren’t the planned victim during Bentley’s kidnapping, youwerein danger.”
Mara’s gaze was steady when she met his. “I understand your concern, but I refuse to be cowed. Besides, it’s not as if I would be the first person to suffer the cruel effects of the East End and I daresay I won’t be the last. The haberdashery is all I have. I won’t keep the doors firmly barred because of a personal fear.”
Roarke still wasn’t convinced, though he could tell by the determined gleam in her eyes that she wasn’t going to relent on the matter. “At least allow me to send along a footman with you.”
She paused for a moment, before conceding. “I’ll agree to the company of a servant if it will ease your mind.”
“It will.” Almost without conscious thought, Roarke reached out and laid a gentle hand on her cheek. “You areunder my protection for the time being, however much you might detest that fact.” He thought he felt a slight tremor pass through her before she swallowed visibly. His gaze roamed her face, the one he’d thought never to lay eyes upon again. “I’ve missed this.” He spoke softly, and while he knew he was treading on dangerous ground, he couldn’t seem to stop himself from adding, “I’ve missedyou,Mara.”
She closed her eyes. “Roarke, I—”
“Please, don’t say something you’ll regret later or that you don’t even mean. Let’s just leave it at this.” Moving away, he said quietly, “Good night.”
With one last, lingering look, he turned and left.
