Someone grabbed her around the waist from behind, lifted her off her feet, and dragged her out into the hall, regardless of her struggles and protests to the contrary. Lyra and Lady Eversleigh were already there, clinging to each other as they wept.
As Mara was set on her feet in the hall, she finally learned the identity of her rescuer.
“Lord Rockford?” she gasped. “What are you doing here? Is Athena with you?”
Rion’s mouth twitched. “My wife may be carrying the future Earl of Rockford and is certainly in no condition to apprehend a dangerous criminal, even if she may claim otherwise. She remains in London with my sister, Cassie.” He shrugged. “I’m here because Roarke’s been there for me when it mattered. I felt it was only right that I should return the favor.”
Mara could only stare at him. Athena had told her what Roarke had done to get her and Rion to finally face their feelings for one another.
“You’re a good friend,” she said.
What Rion said next surprised her. “And you’re good forhim.” His blue eyes were direct when he added, “I know it’s not my place to get involved, and you can tell me where to take my opinions, but for all of the differences between you and Roarke, that man was lost without you.” He paused meaningfully. “And something tells me you were lost without him.”
Since he was being honest, she decided to offer the same courtesy. “I was,” she admitted. “And I intend to stay, if he’ll have me.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry on that score,” Rion murmured. “His love for you is an inspiration for the rest of us.”
Mara didn’t know how to respond to that, so she remained silent.
When Roarke suddenly appeared on the threshold with Mr. Andrews, she realized that the commotion in the parlor had also subsided—and that Lily hadn’t joined her in the hall. Concerned, she walked forward. Their hushed conversation ended so abruptly that she instantly knew something was wrong.
“Where’s my sister?”
When neither of them answered, she started to move past them, but Roarke stopped her. He put his hands on her shoulders.
“Mara, don’t…”
It was his hushed, grim tone that caused her heart to fall into her stomach. “Oh, God…” she whispered, fear starting to clog her throat.
She pushed free of his grasp and stumbled into the room. Only then did it occur to her what he’d been trying to shield her from.
Her sister had saved her again, but this time, she’d paid for it with her life.
