Rhodes Barrington had just lost his father and brother.
Feeling sick, I searched for more information. There wasn’t much: just that Edmund and William had run an enormous company together, Barrington Enterprises, that was worth billions. Their surviving heirs were Edmund’s second wife, Miranda; Rhodes, who was the younger of the two boys; and Luke Barrington, who was William’s child. Eva Barrington, Edmund’s first wife, had died twenty years ago.
I stared at pictures of the family. Edmund Barrington was stately, with piercing eyes, gray hair, and an immaculate suit. Both William and Rhodes were handsome and intimidating,with thick, dark hair, broad shoulders, and dark eyes. There were only a few pictures of Miranda Barrington—she was attractive but cold-looking, with auburn hair that was lighter than mine, classic features, and a downturn to her mouth.
I blinked at the images of Rhodes Barrington. He didn’t look real. He was too impossibly handsome and wealthy to inhabit the same world as me.
I hit the button, and Yves lowered the screen. “Yes, Miss?”
“Um… Hi.” I cleared my throat. “How much longer until we get to Barrington Manor?”
“About an hour and a half, Miss.” He waited for me to say more. “Is that all?”
“Um…” I racked my brain for something I could ask the driver without giving myself away. “Have you seen Mr. Barrington today?”
Yves slightly arched an eyebrow. “Not today, no. But I’m sorry, I’ve been instructed to keep the privacy screen engaged. If that’s all,” he added hastily.
I nodded, my head jerking. “Yes, that’s all.”
He quickly put the divider back up. My unease kicked into high gear. Why couldn’t the driver talk to me? Why hadn’t the client given Elena more details about why he was hiring me? Or had the Madam been hiding something?
More importantly, there was the tragic loss of Edmund and Willian Barrington. Why thehellwas Rhodes Barrington hiring me as his bride a few days after such a devastating event? Elena had said something about his trust obligations. But I didn’t know what that meant. I just knew that his family was incredibly wealthy, that he’d just endured a tragedy of epic proportions, and that this arrangement was moving at a breakneck speed because he must’ve been desperate.
At least we hadthatin common.
My stomach tied itself into a knot as we left the city behind. Dusk descended, the longest day of my life finally receding toward evening, even though there was no relief in sight.
Soon, we’d arrive at Barrington Manor—and there, I would meet my future husband for the first time.
The highwayin New Hampshire was mostly empty, the mountains rising in the distance, the stars beginning to peek out just as Yves turned off the main road. The private driveway seemed to last for miles. At long last, we reached a large security gate. I watched as a guard came out and spoke to Yves, but I couldn’t hear them.
My heart hammered in my chest.A guard? A security gate?Who lived like this? But of course, I was about to find out.
After a moment, the gates opened, and we slowly drove through.
A knot formed in my stomach as the winding road continued, illuminated by small, tasteful lights. Even in the darkness, I could sense how isolated we were, how far removed from any of the small towns we’d passed. After a few minutes, the mansion came into view. “Oh my goodness.” I put a hand over my heart. Nothing could have prepared me for Barrington Manor.
A grand, circular driveway boasted a fountain bubbling in the center. It was lit from within. The house that rose above it was majestic, mesmerizing. Tasteful spotlights revealed a pale cream stone facade, classic New England black shutters surrounding enormous windows, and an expansive, grand entrance. The mansion was elegant and timeless, like something straight from a movie.
An enormous lawn stretched out on all sides, but it disappeared into the darkness. Still, I felt like I had stepped into a billionaire’s version of a Hallmark movie—part Disneyland, part dream mansion. It seemed too perfect to be real.
Yves finally lowered the screen. “We’re here, Miss.”
“I—I see that.”
He chuckled as he took in my expression. “Everyone feels like that when they visit Barrington Manor for the first time. Wait till you see it in the morning—the mountains are incredible.”
I nodded. Already overwhelmed, I was almost afraid for Barrington Manor to be even more incredible. Yves helped me out of the car, and I was grateful for the Chanel suit and ridiculously high heels. If I’d arrived at Barrington Manor in my worn-out leggings and flip-flops, the security guard would probably throw me out.
A man in a suit burst from the house and strode down the steps. Tension rolled off him in waves. He rudely brushed past Yves. “You’re late.”
I recognized him at once: Rhodes Barrington. The billionaire was ridiculously tall and handsome. His suit stretched against his big shoulders and broad chest. He was almost too attractive to look at.
Yves looked crushed. “My apologies. There was traffic in the city, Sir.”
“I don’t want your apologies; I want you to do as you’re instructed. Now, bring Ms. Harris’s bags inside. Philips is waiting.”
“Yes, Sir.” Yves grimaced as he retrieved my bags. He didn’t give us a backward glance as he brought them into the house, leaving me alone with the angry billionaire.
