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“Because she died shortly after. I read that in my guidebook. She was beheaded, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I, which was treasonous.”
“Poor Mary.”
“You don’t feel any sympathy for Elizabeth, whom Mary was plotting to overthrow?”
“If Elizabeth had been beheaded, I would have felt sorry for her.”
The corner of his lips tugged into a reluctant smile. “So, what do you think of the Old Hall Hotel? Disappointed that there are no Tudor touches anymore?”
“No, it’s very elegant and festive. I’m just surprised Paul would suggest I come here. I would have felt lost on my own. It’s a bit fancy if you’re a party of one.”
“Paul might have been thinking of the hotel’s wine bar. They do a good lunch and are less formal. You can almost imagine what it might have been like as an old coaching inn.”
Cara studied him a moment, drinking in his blue eyes and the angle of his cheekbones, the lift of his lovely mouth andwondered what he’d been like as a boy. He probably was adorable.
“It was nice of you to make time to join me for lunch,” she said.
“No need to thank me. You’re easy to be nice to.”
She felt a wave of warmth rush through her. Alec wasn’t always charming, but when he was, she felt completely defenseless and vulnerable.
The waitress arrived with a tall bottle of mineral water and filled each of their glasses before asking if they had any questions about the menu. They hadn’t looked at the menu yet promised to do so and, when the waitress walked away, Cara looked up to find Alec looking at her, his blue gaze intent, and yet his brow was furrowed and she felt such mixed signals that she didn’t know what to think.
Cara hid her nerves with humor. “Yes, Lord Sherbourne? Is there something I can help you with?”
“You seem to be a people person,” he said.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, not when you seem so comfortable with others. Were you always this way?”
“I’ve never been an introvert, if that’s what you’re asking.” She smiled at him. “I suspect you’re an introvert.”
“Not much for crowds, no.”
“Or people in general,” she added.
She could see he was going to protest and then he just nodded. “I don’t need lots of company,” he said. “A little goes a long way with me.”
“I’m afraid you’ll regret inviting me to stay at the house.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “It’s a big house.”
“True.” She thought for a moment. “Are there any secret rooms? Places you could hide?”
“Yes, and I’m happy to show you them, because the last thing I want is you getting lost in the house and then I’ll have to round up a search party to find you.”
She grinned. “It would make a good story.”
“How about I drive you to the Peak District instead? One of the most scenic drives is close to the Langley Park, an hour to do the full loop.”
“Sounds wonderful. When?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Don’t you have the big tour tomorrow?”
