Roarke winced. He had been so focused on Mara that he hadn’t thought to explain his sister’s woes to their mother, although he might have thought that one of the gossiping biddies of the ton might have already informed her when she’d been in the country. Either way, he told her now. He explained that Lyra had shown up at his house in a rather abused state, and after he had spoken with the local constabulary, things had appeared to be settled, but new rumors had given way to speculation.
“None of the servants claimed to have seen anything,” he added, “Only that after hearing Lyra’s screams, they came upon the earl. He had appeared to suffer a broken neck due to a fall from the staircase landing.”
Lavinia’s mouth pinched. “I fear if the talk grows, Weston’s family might find just cause to doubt Lyra’s innocence.”
Roarke frowned, before saying emphatically, “It doesn’t matter, because she isinnocent of any foul play. Surely you can see that Lyra wouldn’t go so far as to kill her husband, no matter the circumstances.” Ever since Mara had made him question his own convictions, he realized how wrong he’d been to even consider that Lyra might be guilty of such a heinous crime. She was his sister, and she deserved more allegiance from him.
“I know of no such thing,” his mother huffed. “Woman can be curious creatures when pushed to the limit, and she has been made to suffer for some time.”
“Good God, do you even hear yourself?” Roarke shot back in disbelief. “Shall you so easily condemn your own daughter after she dutifully obeyedyourrequests to marry the bastard in the first place?” He rose to his feet and walked away a few paces to clear his head before he turned back to her. With his hands set on narrow hips, he said, “Perhaps you should reconsider where your loyalties lie.”
“Do not dare condescend to me, Eversleigh!” Lavinia snapped. “Before you cast those stones at me, perhaps you might clarify some rather distressing news I’ve heard about you!”
Roarke crossed his arms. “Pray tell, for I am all agog,” he returned mockingly.
With a lift of her chin, Lavinia announced, “What’s this I hear about a mysterious woman living under this very roof?”
“Only that it was true, until just recently.”
His mother’s mouth instantly fell agape, as if she’d expected him to deny the accusation, but since the conversation was leaning toward a subject he’d intended to broach anyway, he decided it was time to turn the tables. “Speaking of which, I’m glad you brought that up, for I wonder if it will come as a surprise to you to learn that Mara Miller is alive and well.”
As the color instantly bleached from her cheeks, Roarke gave a snort. “I suppose I can’t say I’m truly shocked since Lyra also seemed to know of her existence, but how is it that I was always under the misconception that my intended fiancé wasdead?”
Lavinia’s hand trembled as she held it out before her. “I know you don’t know the reasons, but trust me when I say it was for your own good—”
Giving a bark of laughter that held no mirth, Roarke’s gaze was unflinching when he said roughly, “Everyone keeps saying that, but I have yet to fathom what I need to be protected from that is so dire.”
With a heavy sigh, his mother sagged against the chair. Until then, he hadn’t realized just how old and tired she looked, but because of his anger, he was able to look passed it. Finally, she lifted her gaze and said in her true, haughty fashion, “I refuse to dredge up the past, even if it’s to satisfy your pride and honor. No good can come of it.”
“Is that so?” Roarke ground his teeth together. “Well, then, I suppose we have nothing else to say to one another.”
On that note, he stormed out of the room.
