She kept replaying the scene from earlier. She just didn’t understand what the purpose of all this friendly courtship was—the gifts, the flirtation—if Roarke was just going to keep throwing the past back up in her face. Granted, a reunion at Eversleigh Hall was bound to put him in a mood, but that was no reason to snap at her like he had.
So much for second chances, she’d mused wryly.
After a time, she must have dozed off, for his words startled her, and she glanced outside at the growing dusk. She blinked away the remaining cobwebs and felt a twinge in her chest, for the long drive they were going up looked heartbreakingly familiar, even after all these years. The seemingly endless display of smokestacks became visible long before the rest of the pinkish-red brick manor house came into view.
But when it did…
She nearly gasped, for she’d almost forgotten how picturesque Eversleigh Hall truly was. Even though it was dark, Roarke had written ahead and informed the servants of their impending arrival, so the first two floors of four combined stories had a candle burning in every window and it illuminated the front of the magnificent structure like a scene from a Gothic novel.
The manor rested upon an incline with a wall of surrounding cliffs below, and Mara recalled the very first time she’d ever laid eyes on the estate house. It had sprawled across this very spot for centuries, passed down from one viscount to the next, and was a breathtaking sight to behold, especially in the early rays of dawn with the Celtic sea shining behind it like a thousand tiny diamonds on the water.
But this time, instead of walking through the doors as a servant with her father, hoping to find work, she would be here as an honored guest on the arm of the master.
The very idea was still too surreal to believe.
As they came to a halt, Roarke was the one who helped her out of the carriage, but he held her hand only long enough to see her safely to the ground before releasing her.
His aloof manner was enough to set her teeth on edge, but she recalled that they were both here to play a part. She was supposed to be a stranger, whom he’d assisted alongside the road, and he was doing a fine job of fulfilling his role as haughty lord of the manor.
Well, two could play this game.
“You have a lovely home, Lord Eversleigh.”
He glanced back at her cool use of his title. “Thank you, MissSmith. Welcome to Eversleigh Hall.” With a light bow and a smirk, he turned and strode forward.
More than a few servants were starting to come forward to greet their master and exclaim over his long-awaited return. Mara thought a few of the older staff looked somewhat familiar, but for the most part, there were quite a few new faces, and other than a slightly curious expression in her direction, they all bowed in deference after Roarke explained her make-believe plight.
As it didn’t readily appear anyone might come forward and accuse her of something nefarious, Mara could finally take a full breath for the first time since she’d started out on this journey. However, that didn’t mean the servants wouldn’t be talking freely among themselves that evening.
From this point forward she would need to be cautious.
Mara remembered to favor her right ankle, and with a slight limp, they moved to the foyer, where the servants began unloading the coach and a footman took their outerwear.
The butler turned to Roarke. “I must say it’s an honor to welcome you back to Eversleigh Hall, my lord. I was grateful to receive your letter so that the staff might greet you properly and prepare your rooms.” He glanced at Mara with a deferential smile. “The maids are cleaning a chamber for you as we speak, Miss Smith. I hope your injury doesn’t cause you too much distress. Shall we send for a physician?”
“Thank you, Carter, but that shouldn’t be necessary.” Roarke gave a brief nod. “I’m glad to see that my estate has been taken good care of during my lengthy absence. I pray it will not be so long before I am here again.”
“I’m happy to hear it, my lord,” Carter replied. With a slight furrow of his brows, he asked, “However, I must ask if you know of any issues that might have arisen since your departure from London. Your sister, Lady Weston, wrote and told the household to be on our guard. Should we be concerned?”
“I wouldn’t worry about it overmuch, Carter,” Roarke returned smoothly, “My sister is a woman and as such, rather prone to dramatics.”
The butler lifted a brow. “Indeed, my lord.”
Roarke waved a hand at Mara. “It’s possible that Miss Smith’s sister might come looking for her, so you should alert her the moment she arrives to waylay any fear she might have at her disappearance.”
“Of course,” the butler replied. “Shall you be needing anything else this evening, my lord?”
“Perhaps a bite to eat, although I wouldn’t go out of your way. Just something on a tray in my room, if you would.” He turned to Mara. “Miss Smith?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.”
“As you wish.” The butler bowed. About that time a pair of maids appeared and bobbed a curtsy to Carter. “Ah, Miss Smith, it would appear that your room is ready. If you will follow Mrs. Hunsaker, she will show you to your quarters and give you a brief layout of the manor.”
Mara nodded. She likely already knew most of what the housekeeper might tell her, for surely not much had changed in the intervening years.
Unless one made allowances for a bruised heart.
* * *
