Elodie feigned innocence. “Is there a problem, Brother?”
Winston couldn’t resist a wry smile. “No, but I fear Miss Bawden might cast a spell of darkness over our manor.”
His mother let out a soft sigh. “I have never understood the animosity that you have towards Mattie. She is a delightful young woman, and I do so enjoy having her in our home.”
“We shall have to agree to disagree, Mother,” Winston said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have work that I must see to.”
“In your bedchamber, with a bottle of whiskey?” she asked knowingly.
Winston did not want to have this conversation. He was tired and he wanted to be alone. “Goodbye, Mother.”
His mother’s expression hinted at disappointment, but sherefrained from pushing further. “Promise me that you will join us for dinner,” she implored.
Winston had no desire to spend the evening with Miss Bawden. Her voice grated on his ears, rendering every conversation with her unbearable. Nonetheless, he relented with a resigned nod.
“Very well, you may go now,” his mother said. “But I shall see you tonight.”
Spinning on his heel, he retreated inside before his mother changed her mind. Why couldn’t his family see the true nature of Miss Bawden? Despite their praises, he alone glimpsed the darkness within her heart. It had changed him, and not for the better.
As Miss Mattie Bawden walked away from Brockhall Manor, she was grateful for every step that distanced her from the infuriating Lord Winston. He was someone she wished to spend as little time as possible with. Never had she met a man so vexing.
She still couldn’t quite believe they had kissed once. It had been a sheer moment of madness on her part, and she wondered if Lord Winston ever thought about that kiss. Because she most certainly did not. Nor did she remember how he had gently held her in his arms, as if he’d cherished her.
It had been entirely unexpected. Winston’s usual stern demeanor had softened for that brief moment, and she had glimpsed a side of him she hadn’t thought existed. It was a side she both loathed and longed to see again.
Mattie shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She had more important matters to attend to than pondering the complexities of a kiss that never shouldhave happened.
In the distance, she caught sight of her grandfather’s crested coach parked in front of their modest cottage. Which was odd, given that last she had heard he was in India with her uncle and aunt, overseeing their business dealings.
But she was not about to complain. It had been far too long since she had seen her grandfather, and she welcomed the visit.
She quickened her steps until she reached the cottage, where she found her younger cousin sitting on a bench under the covered porch. Francesca’s expression was downcast, her eyes tinged with red, indicating she had been crying.
What was her cousin doing here? She had never come unannounced to visit them before.
A feeling of dread washed over her.
Something had happened.
Mattie sat down next to her cousin and nudged the girl’s shoulder with hers. “Why are you here, Franny?”
Franny continued to stare at the ground, a tear rolling down her cheek, but she made no effort to wipe it away.
Unsure of what was causing Franny such pain, Mattie wrapped her arms around the girl and her cousin crumpled into the embrace.
“Will you not tell me what is wrong so I may fix it?” Mattie asked, hoping her cousin trusted her enough to confide in her.
In response, Franny let out a loud cry, sobbing into her arms.
Mattie could not remember a time when Franny had ever cried in front of her. Despite her age of five and ten years, Franny had always held herself with remarkable grace and decorum. What could have happened to cause such a heart-wrenching reaction?
The door opened, and their white-haired housekeeper, Mrs. Watson, let out a sigh of relief at the sight of her. “Your father is requesting to speak to you,” she informed Mattie.
Mattie hesitated, torn between comforting her cousin and going to speak to her father. “Can it not wait?” she asked.
Mrs. Watson shook her head. “I’m afraid not. He seemed rather adamant,” she responded. “Go. I will see to your cousin.”
Reluctantly, Mattie dropped her arms and said, “Franny, I have to see what my father needs. I will return shortly.”
