He could hardly fault her for that. The journey had left him weary as well. Still, the memory of the highwaywoman played in his mind, finding the mystery of it all to be that much more intriguing. Closing his eyes, he settled in to wait for their arrival.
A short while later, the coach came to a jerking stop before a grand white-brick manor. The footman hurried to set the step down and opened the door, bowing as Niles stepped out. He turned to assist Eugenie, but she batted his hand away with a look that she’d had enough of his hovering.
The main door of the manor swung open, and a tall, thin woman with silver hair and a radiant smile stood waiting. “You are here!” Aunt Margaret exclaimed, her voice ringing with genuine delight.
Eugenie rushed forward, embracing their aunt warmly. “Oh, Aunt Margaret, it is so good to see you. It has been far too long.”
“Yes, it has been,” her aunt confirmed.
Niles lingered at the edge of the steps, feeling awkward and out of place. Physical affection had never come naturally to him, even among family. But Aunt Margaret would have none of it.
She descended the stairs swiftly, pulling him into a firm hug. “Niles,” she murmured, holding him close.
He hesitated before tentatively patting her back. “Aunt Margaret.”
She stepped back, her smile intact. “Thank you for indulging me. I know you are not fond of hugs, but I will take one from you any day.”
“For you, Aunt Margaret, always,” Niles replied.
“You are so much like your father,” she said, studying him with a wistful expression. Then gesturing to the open doorway,she added, “Come inside, both of you. You must be famished after your travels.”
“I could always eat,” Eugenie admitted as they stepped into the warmth of the manor.
“I thought you wanted a bath,” Niles teased.
Eugenie shot him a mock glare. “Food first, then a bath.”
“You shall have both,” Aunt Margaret said as she signaled to a plump butler. “Turpin, inform Mrs. McLeod to prepare some trays for their rooms. They must be exhausted.”
“Thank you, Aunt Margaret,” Eugenie said, looping her arm through her aunt’s. “You will never guess what happened to us on the way here.”
Aunt Margaret gave Eugenie an expectant look. “Well, do not leave me in suspense. I am an old woman and could die at any moment,” she quipped.
In a low voice, Eugenie said, “We were robbed… by a highwaywoman.”
“A woman?” Aunt Margaret repeated back in surprise. “Are you certain?”
Niles interjected. “Quite certain.”
Aunt Margaret’s face turned grave. “This is serious. We must alert the constable at once. We cannot have a highwaywoman terrorizing the citizens of this village.”
Eugenie smirked. “Niles seemed rather taken with her.”
Their aunt’s eyes widened. “There is nothing romantic about being robbed by a highwaywoman.”
“I never said that there was,” Niles said, feeling defensive. “I merely found the whole thing to be intriguing.”
“I daresay that you need more excitement in your life,” Aunt Margaret declared. “Perhaps you need a wife.”
Niles stiffened. “I do not need a wife… at least, right now.”
“You are almost thirty. If you do not marry soon, people might begin to suspect something is wrong with you.”
Eugenie laughed. “Oh, there is definitely something wrong with my brother.”
“Thank you, Sister,” Niles muttered dryly. “Your support is overwhelming.”
“Was I supposed to help?” Eugenie asked with an innocent expression.
