CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Do you have everything you need?” Lyra worried her lower lip as Mara unpacked her few belongings in one of the Weston House guest rooms that evening.
“I already told you that I’m fine,” Mara reassured her friend.
The countess sighed. “Are you sure you don’t need a maid to assist you? You are myguest,but for some reason, I get the feeling you think you should be on the third floor with the rest of the staff.”
Mara frowned lightly as she folded a pair of her undergarments and put them away. “I don’t mind helping out, truly. Besides,” she shrugged, “Mrs. Raleigh was so grateful for the extra help with dinner.”
Lyra winced. “I had no idea the kitchen maid had even turned in her notice.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Mara said kindly. “They all know you are going through a difficult time. I’m sure they didn’t wish to worry you over something so trivial. And now that I’m here, I can assist when needed when I’m not at the shop.”
“You’re not a servant anymore, Mara,” Lyra said quietly. “Don’t think that you owe me anything.”
Mara forced a smile as she turned her full attention to the countess. “I know. But I’m also aware that you have a funeral to prepare for, so you don’t need the added concern of interviewing new staff.”
“Yes,” Lyra said somewhat distractedly. “I would imagine by now the coroner has completed his report, so Roger’s body will need to be transported to the family plot at his estate in Surrey.”
Mara reached out and gave her a warm hug. “You should get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
With a weary nod, Lyra conceded.
When she was gone, Mara sat down on the downy bed with a sigh. No matter what she was going through, she certainly didn’t envy Lyra the task ahead of her. However, it did make Mara wonder when Lady Eversleigh would make an appearance.
She was anxious at the very thought of facing Roarke’s mother again. No doubt she would give her another firm warning to stay away from her son, along with a list of other threats. Including Lily. Troubled by the very idea, Mara decided, since sleep would be a long time coming, that the best thing to cure her insomnia would be a warm glass of milk. Throwing a robe over her nightdress, she headed downstairs.
In the kitchens she took a cup out of the cupboards, placed it on the crude, wooden table, and set the teakettle on the stove. It would be so easy to fall back into the role of servitude, for that had been her path for so many years. She’d never been raised as a lady of the manor. She’d always had to work hard for everything she’d ever had. This was her life and yet another firm reminder that she should keep her distance from Lord Eversleigh.
As if she didn’t have enough reasons already.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t miss him with an ache so strong that it physically hurt.
As she started toward the larder to fetch the milk, a deep voice spoke up from the shadows behind her.
“Hello, Mara.”
She instantly froze, closing her eyes as a pair of footsteps began to move toward her. It was as if by the mere thought of him, she’d conjured Roarke in the flesh. She didn’t dare turn around for she had no doubt she would throw herself into his strong, waiting arms.
He stopped just short of touching her, but the heat from his body burned her back as surely as if she stood in front of a roaring fireplace. Her heart was pounding so fiercely she was sure that he could hear it. As it was, her entire body nearly vibrated with the force of it. “How did you get in?” she whispered.
His tone was slightly mocking when he said, “As if a locked door could keep me away from you.”
“Why are you here?” she dared to ask, swallowing nervously.
“I think you know why,” he murmured huskily in return. “We have unfinished business.”
“There is nothing else to discuss. Everything has already been said.”
“Has it?” He stroked the back of her neck.
“Yes.”
There was a brief pause, while Mara held her breath, before he said softly, “That’s where you’re wrong. You see, all this time that you’ve been running, you’ve never once asked my opinion on anything, and I’ve decided that I don’t give a damn what you say, because I want you.”
Mara felt herself begin to tremble. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me, Roarke. There are things you don’t know, that would be detrimental…” She shook her head to regain control of her scattered emotions. “You would grow to despise me. I’d rather be dead to you in truth than have that happen.”
She felt the gentle brush of a hand on her hair.
