CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The moment the door shut behind Roarke, Mara’s lips twisted, for Lady Eversleigh wasted no time in ripping into her.
“I suppose you’ve been doing your best to seduce my son while you’ve been here all alone.”
“Mother! That’s completely out of line, even for you.” Lyra exclaimed, immediately coming to Mara’s defense.
Mara laid a hand on her friend’s arm and shook her head slightly. It was time she finally stood up to the viscountess. For too long she’d allowed the older woman to intimidate her, and while she would always be grateful for her care of Lily, she couldn’t allow her to rule her life any longer. Whatever the cost, come what may, she wasn’t going to be forced to choose anything over Roarke’s love again.
Hewould have to be the one to tell her to go this time.
As she boldly looked into Lavinia’s harsh gaze, Mara said, “I suppose if you might consider the fact that I’ve told him everything a seduction, then yes, that’s exactly what happened.”
Lady Eversleigh couldn’t speak for a moment, but her face rapidly filled with color until Mara wondered if she might have an apoplexy. She stood up, only to grip the back of the chair she’d just vacated. “Youdareto tell me that Roarke knows about…” Her voice trailed off as if the very idea was unfathomable.
“It was time.”
“We had an agreement!” Lady Eversleigh hissed.
Mara stood her ground. “And I’ve kept that bargain for the past seven years!” She countered, but her words fell on deaf ears.
“You will come to regret this.”
With that parting threat, Lavinia swept out of the room.
In the wake of her departure, all was silent, until Lyra reached out and grasped Mara’s hand. “You did the right thing. In fact, if you hadn’t told him, I had my mind made up to do so.”
Mara gasped. “You were?”
“Yes,” Lyra’s dark eyes were just as stubborn as they had been long ago. “It’s time my mother learned she can’t go around trying to browbeat everyone who doesn’t suit her expectations. Trust me, for the longest time I was a failure as a daughter until I finally gave in and married Roger.”
Mara recalled the funeral and asked gently, “How did the burial go?”
Lyra shrugged. “All right, I suppose. I fear there weren’t an overabundance of attendees or tears.” Her mouth twisted. “My husband was not always known as a…favorable sort of man.”
As Mara recalled the memory of the countess’s battered face not so long ago, she could well understand that Lord Weston might not have been highly revered.
“Of course, his parents have been deceased for some time, although his younger brother and wife were there, along with an older sister, who is also a widow. While they weren’t…overly friendly, they didn’t cause any trouble either.”
“At least that’s something,” Mara said with a friendly smile.
“I suppose,” Lyra returned with a heavy sigh.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and get settled in?” Mara suggested. “You’ve had quite a few chaotic days to contend with lately. I’ll have Mrs. Hunsaker send up some tea—and maybe some fresh fruit and heavy cream?”
Mara knew such a treat was one of Lyra’s favorites, so she smiled when Lyra nearly pounced on her offer.
“That sounds heavenly. Thank you.”
As they parted ways, Mara decided that instead of ringing for the housekeeper, she would go downstairs herself. She was still unsure of what was being said about her, especially now that Carter had given her that rather decided look earlier, so she felt it was best to address the matter head on.
Unfortunately, it was worse than she’d initially thought.
The moment she walked into the kitchen, nearly all activity ceased. The cook gasped as if a wayward street urchin had just wandered into her vicinity, while one of the footmen and even Sophia eyed her askance before she quickly lowered her gaze in a particularly contrite manner.
As the housekeeper came around the corner, her keys jangling at her waist, she stopped upon seeing Mara. As she clasped her hands before her, her tone was decidedly more frosty than it had been upon Mara’s initial arrival. “Can I help you, miss?”
“Actually, yes. I was hoping that Lady Weston might have a tray of tea, fruit, and cream taken to her room. She’s rather weary after her journey from London.”
