And he’d been right.
Combined with the rumors from the village, he realized now that he’d run from England, not so much out of crushing grief, even though it was acute, but because he was afraid of staying behind to assume the title. He feared finding out the suspicions he’d always harbored about his sire were true. Roarke didn’t want to believe that the former Lord Eversleigh was anything other than a man he could be proud to follow and carry on the family name. But he finally admitted that while he might be his father’s son, he wasn’t anything like his predecessor. He didn’t intend to marry Mara out of duty or any other reason that seemed fitting by the standards of thetonfor a successful marriage. The love he felt for her was genuine and strong enough to last through the years.
With a smile, Roarke urged his horse into a canter, anxious to see Mara.
But his joy quickly faded when he came up the drive and saw his sister standing on the front steps of the Hall in obvious distress. That ominous feeling intensified when he came to a halt and dismounted before her. He could tell she’d been crying, the tear tracks visible on her cheeks.
Lyra waved a letter in her grasp and demanded, “Where have you been?”
“To the village to give a statement to the magistrate. Why? What’s happened?”
She thrust the paper at him. “Mara’s gone.”
“What?” Snatching the missive from her grasp, he began to read.
I must apologize for leaving so suddenly, but seeing Roarke ride away this morning only reminded me that I have no place in his life. I’ve always known that if he found out the truth that he wouldn’t be able to forgive what my sister did, but now that she’s gone, perhaps he can finally come to terms with his grief.
I am returning to London, but I will not be at your townhouse when you get there. It’s time I started to get back on my own two feet, but I have been ever so grateful for your friendship in the interim.
Please inform the viscount that I will see Lily has a proper burial and that he no longer needs to cover Mr. Andrews’s expenses for locating Bentley. From here on out I will assume any incurring debts that arise, so any further leads will be reported directly to me. Lord Eversleigh will have no further responsibility to me. It’s time that he is free from my burdens.
I wish the best for you both, and I hope that he can find solace someday and put this all behind him. I pray I can as well.
—Mara
Roarke felt the blood drain from his body as an intense fear washed over him. “How long ago did you receive this?”
Lyra shook her head. “One of the servants noticed it on the foyer table about an hour ago, but I have no idea when she even left.”
“I’ve got to find her,” Roarke said firmly. “Have Mr. Edwards give Abel a good rub down. I need to grab a few things. I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes. Not a moment longer.”
The two parted ways, but the moment Roarke stepped over the threshold of the house he was detained by his mother. Lavinia was standing in the middle of the foyer, obviously awaiting his return as well.
He held up a hand. “I don’t have time for one of your lectures.” He would have brushed past her, but her next words caused him to hesitate.
“I wanted to apologize, Roarke.”
In all his life, it was the first time he could remember that she’d called him by his Christian name and not a title. This rather contrite side of his mother was unexpected, but while he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, he was still irritated with her, so with a snort, he countered, “About what? The fact that you lied to me all of these years?”
Her eyes were clear, her emotions composed when she looked at him. “For all of it.” With a sigh, she continued, “It was wrong of me to send Mara away. I see now that your affections for her were steadfast. It was only my insecurities toward your father that caused me to act so irrationally. She’s a good woman, and if you still intend to marry her, I will stand behind your decision.”
Roarke’s mouth twisted, before he said, “It may be too late for felicitations. She left.”
“I know.” Lavinia pursed her lips. “And I can’t help but feel to blame for this recent departure as well. I’ve always been too…harsh on her, even when she was Lyra’s ladies’ maid.” She drew herself up. “Well, there’s no point in trying to change the past. What’s done is done. All I can do is offer you both a future.” She held out a small box to him and said, “I want you to give this to Mara.”
Roarke took the box and stared at it for a moment before he lifted the lid. Nestled inside was a very familiar ring—a perfect emerald stone encircled by diamonds. It was on every viscountess’s hand in the hall of portraits. He swallowed.
“This is the Eversleigh betrothal ring.” He glanced up. “Your wedding ring.”
“It is,” she admitted. “I felt it was only fitting that the next lady in line should wear it.”
He closed the lid and did something he’d never felt comfortable doing since he was a small boy in the nursery. He gave her a hug. “Thank you, Mother. This means a lot to me, and I know it will also mean a lot to Mara.”
When he pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. “I hope you know that anything I ever did was to protect you. It’s taken me these past seven years and staring death in the face again to make me realize that the best thing for you has been here all along.”
Roarke smiled. “To use a wise woman’s words, the past is gone, and nothing can change it. All we can do is look forward to a brighter future.” He vowed, “And I intend to spend the rest of my life making up for lost time.”
Lavinia nodded. “Bring Mara home.”
Roarke gave her a kiss on the forehead before he left to do precisely that.
