The Irish Heiress

by Kaitlin O’Riley

Leaning back, Foster opened the small window and instructed his driver to take them back to the park immediately. This was getting out of hand. Mara deserved a real life. A real future. She deserved a husband. She definitely deserved more than a half-life in the shadows with him, for that was all he could offer her.

  The girl had not the slightest idea what she was suggesting they do, or how it would assuredly ruin her life.

  “It’s time to go,” he said, feeling sick inside.

  “You’re taking me back already?” Tears welled in her eyes.

  Now she cried? Now? Not when he told her he was married, but when he told her it was time they go home? She baffled him.

  “Yes, I’m taking you back to your carriage. It’s the only sane thing to do. One of us has to be the rational one. This is over, Mara. This is entirely my fault and I take full responsibility for all of it. I shouldn’t have written to you or asked you to meet with me, and I hope you can forgive me. It never should have gone this far.”

  “But you don’t really believe that!” she cried in protest. “And you cannot bring me back yet when we haven’t finished talking.”

  “My sweet Mara, there is nothing left to talk about.”

  “There!” she declared triumphantly. “You called me your sweet Mara. You know I belong to you.”

  “You can’t belong to me, in spite of my wishing it were so. I cannot have you and you cannot have me.” He hated saying the words aloud. They were cold and harsh, and that made them all the more real. And heartbreakingly true. “I am a married man, Mara. I am already taken.”

  Mara took a deep breath and stated clearly, “But I am not.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment. Her words terrified him and for some reason, that tiny sliver of hope within him seemed to grow and take stronger hold in his heart. Mara was not deterred by his married state. In fact, she seemed quite unmoved by it. It stunned him. He did not know what she meant by that and did not dare to ask.

  It was far, far too dangerous.

  She stared at him, and for a moment he hesitated. With one kiss he could easily seduce her innocent ideals and begin a torrid affair with her.

  Yet he could not. She deserved a proper marriage, with a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a happy family devoid of scandal and public scorn and humiliation.

  The carriage came to a halt.

  “We’re back,” he announced dully, his voice hoarse. “It’s time for us to part, Mara.”

  Without another word, she left him, but not before she gave him a look of longing that would haunt him until the day he died.

  As his carriage continued on through the park, he wished he could go after her. He wished she could be his. He wished they could have just driven away together. He wished things were different. His entire life was a mess.

  Foster had never felt so alone.

  6

  Conversations

  “Iknow, I know. I’m late! Forgive me. Vivienne has a bit of a cough, so I sat with her for a while.” Yvette Hamilton Eddington, the Duchess of Rathmore, hurried into the room. She greeted her sisters warmly, then removed her gloves and adjusted the blond curls under her fashionable hat. As she took a seat in the elegant drawing room at Devon House, she asked, “So tell me, how are things?”

  Colette offered Yvette a cup of black tea. Their weekly afternoon tea times together allowed the Hamilton sisters to keep each other updated on family matters. With one sister in New York and another in Ireland, there were just the three of them left in London.

  Lisette, beaming with pride, said, “Well, Christopher and Charles are busy with their studies. But I think Christopher may follow in his father’s footsteps and become an architect too.” The middle Hamilton sister was married to Quinton Roxbury, an architect and politician, and they had twin sons and a daughter.

  “Quinton must be thrilled with that!” Colette remarked.

  “He is!” Lisette said. “Have either of you heard from Juliette?”

  “The last letter I received from her simply said they arrived in New York safely and hopefully they would be back in London in time for Christmas. No details. No dates. She truly is the most dreadful letter writer,” Yvette lamented.

  Colette agreed with an emphatic nod of her head. “She always has been.”

  “So tell us, Colette, how are things with having Mara stay here?” Lisette asked.

  “I suppose they are going along quite well, thank you,” Colette told them. “She’s been wonderful, but then Mara has never been any trouble. Even as a little girl, she was always like a little angel. You know I’ve always had a soft spot for her.”

  Lisette smiled. “You two have the love of the bookshops in common.”

  “Mara is quite special and I adore her,” Colette added.

  “I must say I was surprised that Paulette and Declan allowed her to stay behind. Have you determined her reason for remaining in London yet?” Yvette asked, her blue eyes curious as she spooned sugar into her tea. She was the youngest of the sisters, married to Jeffrey Eddington, the Duke of Rathmore, and the mother to three little daughters.

  “No, not yet, but I think everyone is overreacting.” Colette shook her head. “Mara has always been a quiet girl and not given to over-sharing. I believe it will take a little more time before the true reason comes to light. If there is anything at all.”

  “Well, it must be a man then! What else could it possibly be?” Yvette questioned with a raised brow.

  Lisette Hamilton Roxbury laughed. “It’s always about men with you, Yvette. There are a dozen perfectly reasonable explanations why Mara would want to remain in London with us.”

  “Name one.” Yvette stared frankly at Lisette, who looked helplessly blank.

  Colette laughed at her sisters. “Have you forgotten that our Yvette did the very same thing years ago? That’s why she’s suspicious of Mara’s reasons for not going to Ireland. Remember that Yvette insisted on staying by herself in London instead of coming to New York with Lucien and me, for no real reason that we could see? All because she had set her cap for the wrong man?”

  With a rueful smile and a careless wave of her hand, Yvette added, “It all turned out well in the end and you cannot deny it. I am happily married to Jeffrey and I’m a duchess.”

  “Are you saying Mara is scheming to be a duchess?” Lisette asked.

  Yvette smiled knowingly. “No, not Mara. That is not her way. I’m simply stating the obvious. There is a man on the horizon, whether we know about him or not.”

  “I tend to agree with you, Yvette,” Colette said with reluctance. “Even though Mara has not shown the slightest interest in anyone since she’s been here, let alone for the last few seasons. Paulette and Declan are at their wits’ end with worry over her.”

  “That’s my point,” Yvette ventured. “You know the old saying, still waters run deep? Well, Mara has about the stillest and calmest waters I’ve ever seen! There are things bubbling inside that pretty little heart of hers that none of us know about. She will surprise all of us one day. Mark my words.”

  Lisette looked thoughtful for a moment. “You may be right about that.”

  “Of course I am!” Yvette said pertly. “It’s the only reason that makes any sense whatsoever. Even Jeffrey agreed with me.”

  “It would be nice if Sara and her new husband returned from New York sooner.” Lisette referred to their niece Sara, who’d recently married. Sara was closest to Mara and the two had been dearest friends since they were little girls. “If anyone had a chance of discovering what is in Mara’s heart, it would be Sara.”

  Colette nodded her head in agreement. “I suppose I should keep a closer watch over her, but I don’t see the need for it. Both Phillip and Simon said they know of no one who has shown a romantic interest in Mara or vice versa.”

  “Then it must be someone we don’t know,” Yvette offered pragmatically. “Someone unsuitable, perhaps?”

  Colette rolled her eyes. “Isn’t that always the way?
”

  “Yet, Mara is not flighty or reckless.” Lisette gave a shake of her head. “Not in the least bit. She’d never involve herself with someone unsuitable.”

  Yvette said thoughtfully, “Perhaps I’ll arrange to have Jeffrey speak with her. You know he can get her to confide in him.”

  The three Hamilton sisters nodded in agreement. Jeffrey Eddington would be the one who could wheedle a secret out of Mara if there was one.

  “Well, at this point we know absolutely nothing. Not even if a man is the reason behind her desire to stay in London. In the meantime all we can do is wait and see.” Colette picked up her teacup.

  “Where is Mara now?” Yvette asked. “I was hoping to see her this afternoon.”

  “She is at the bookshop.”

  “Of course she is . . . I think I shall invite her over for tea later this week,” Yvette murmured.

  “Well, there’s something else I want to talk to you both about . . .” Colette paused for dramatic effect. “Mara and I are working on an idea for a new bookshop.”

  “We already have two shops in London, not to mention the one in Dublin,” Yvette remarked. “Do we really need another one?”

  “A new idea for a bookshop?” Lisette looked thoughtful. “What kind?”

  “A children’s bookshop,” Colette announced excitedly.

  “A children’s bookshop?” Yvette echoed, looking puzzled. “Whoever heard of such a thing?”

  “I don’t believe that anyone has. But I think it’s important for Hamilton’s Book Shoppe to be on the cutting edge of progress,” Colette continued. “It’s such a daring and innovative idea, don’t you think? I’ve written to Paulette to find out what she thinks. It was all Mara’s idea too.”

  Yvette shook her head reluctantly. “We already have the largest selection of children’s books in London. I doubt there are even enough children’s books printed to fill a store devoted solely to children.”

  “But I think there are!” Colette countered. “And I think there will continue to be more written each year. Children’s literature is a growing market. An untapped market, actually. I continuously have customers asking for more books that are expressly written for children.”

  Yvette, the sister who devoted the least amount of time to the family business, looked unconvinced. “It sounds rather risky. I can’t imagine parents going out of their way to buy books at a special store.”

  “Oh, I can absolutely imagine it! I think a children’s bookshop has definite possibilities. If we start with a very small space,” Lisette added, slowly nodding her head. “A small shop . . . I think it could work.”

  “I’ve already begun to look at locations,” Colette said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She had always loved the challenge of beginning something new.

  “We could even have Quinton design the shop if we don’t find anything suitable,” Lisette added, with growing enthusiasm.

  Colette grinned with approval. “I thought of that too!”

  Yvette sipped her tea while waiting for a pause in their conversation. “I’m curious to know what Paulette thinks of this scheme.”

  “It’s not a scheme, Yvette!” Lisette laughed.

  Colette explained, “It’s a novel approach to business and I’ve given it a great deal of thought this past week and I’ve talked it over with Lucien so many times that he asked me to give him a rest! But he does agree with me. And I know Paulette will see the advantages of this venture as well, especially because it was Mara’s idea in the first place. Don’t you see? We’ll be giving customers something they don’t yet realize they want. And I think parents would like a place they can bring their children to. We’re only six years away from the start of a new century! The world is changing. Society is changing. And Hamilton’s need to change too.”

  “I’m not entirely sure about that,” Yvette said with a bit of skepticism.

  Lisette tilted her head, her delicate features pensive. “That’s not the reason Mara wanted to stay in London, is it? For the bookshops?”

  “Hardly,” Yvette said, finding it difficult to understand how anyone would put a business before anything romantic. “I think it’s just a coincidence.”

  “In any case,” Colette said, “I believe this children’s bookshop is going to be a success . . . and when it is, we shall have Mara to thank for her idea!”

  “Well, she seems to be the only granddaughter that has the same interest in the bookshops,” Yvette remarked. “I don’t see my three girls wanting anything to do with the business. They’re too much like me.”

  “I suppose my Elizabeth might want to . . .” Lisette didn’t sound too hopeful. “But it doesn’t seem likely.”

  Colette sighed a bit sadly. “Yes, it makes me sad that our girls may not want to oversee the bookshops as we do. But we must continue to make sure they know about how Papa started the first store and how we lived above the shop and worked there. We were the ones who made it successful and expanded to three stores! Perhaps Elizabeth could come to the shops more often, Lisette. And Yvette, hopefully one of your girls will be interested when they are a little older. It’s a shame that none of the boys seem inclined to the business either. But we have Mara to pick up the mantle . . . And I know she shall do it quite admirably.”

  Lisette raised her teacup. “To Mara then!”

  Yvette and Colette lifted their cups as well to toast their niece, with the hope that Mara would carry on the tradition of their father’s bookshop one day.

  7

  Declarations

  That very same afternoon her aunts were having tea at Devon House, Mara rang the doorbell of a stately townhouse on Upper Brook Street. Her hand trembled and her heart raced as she waited for the door to open.

  A tall butler with gray hair and a kind face greeted her. If he was scandalized to see an unchaperoned young lady on the doorstep, he hid his shock very well. “Good afternoon. How may I help you, miss?” he asked as calmly as if she had every right to be there.

  She took a deep breath and blurted out, “I am Lady Mara Reeves and I would like to see Lord Sterling, if he is in.” She paused before adding, “He is not expecting me.”

  With surprising composure, the butler swung the door wider and allowed her to step inside. “Please come this way, my lady.”

  Peering around the house, she quickly noted that there was nothing fussy or feminine about the place. It was sparsely decorated but not uninviting. In fact it appeared rather modern and attractive in a way she could not define. It was exactly what she would have expected. Not that Mara knew what to expect when visiting a gentleman’s home, but Foster’s house seemed to suit him.

  The butler ushered her into a study, which was filled with simple masculine furniture, dark wood, and rich colors. “I shall inform his lordship that you are here. I am Preston, my lady, should you require anything. Might I have something brought to you? Tea, perhaps?”

  She hesitated, wondering if they should have tea. Would it lend some normalcy to what she was doing? She doubted it. Nothing could make this visit seem normal. “No, thank you, I think not.”

  With a nod, the butler left and closed the door.

  Mara stood alone in the small study, which was done in shades of burgundy and forest green. Again she noted the simple and clean lines of the room and the feel of modernity about it. It was elegant, yet comfortable. Leather chairs and a sofa, beautiful wood furniture, and very few knickknacks. Books lined the neatly arranged shelves. A few periodicals were scattered on a low table near the sofa. Knowledge. The Hobby Horse. Amateur Photographer. The Fortnightly Review. The English Mechanic. The titles indicated a man who was interested in a variety of subjects.

  As she continued to glance around the room, she could smell the scent of Foster in there and inhaled deeply. With some trepidation she walked to a dark brown leather chair near the fireplace. Imagining that this was where Foster sat at night, perhaps enjoying a drink or reading one of his modern magazines, she ran her hands ove
r the comfortably worn leather.

  Then she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror over the mantel. With her blond hair done up neatly beneath her green velvet hat that matched her smart plaid-trimmed green jacket with large bell sleeves and accentuated her cinched-in waist, she certainly didn’t look the seductress. She looked pretty enough, she supposed, but as always, she appeared pale with too-wide grayish eyes. She looked frightened.

  But then why wouldn’t she be frightened?

  Staring at her reflection, she wondered what on earth she was doing there in the first place. What kind of a lady was she? Why would she call upon a married man? Even though she knew he did not live with his wife. She had no business coming to his house so brazenly in the middle of the afternoon! What if someone had seen her? What if Foster became angry at her presence and sent her away?

  Whatever had she been thinking to be so utterly reckless and bold? Acting in this manner was not like her at all! Quiet, shy little Mara always behaved properly. She would never conduct herself inappropriately or even dream of doing anything that hinted at scandalous. Visiting a married man at his home for questionable purposes was more like something her fearless cousin Sara would do, while Mara would be the worried one, trying to talk some sense into her.

  While Mara had lain in bed last night, her mind wouldn’t rest. She couldn’t give up the idea of going to see him. To her way of thinking, she had nothing to lose and everything to gain by going to see him. She’d debated everything in her head over and over again. The cold manner in which they parted in the park the other morning was not what either of them wanted. She was certain of it.

  At least she knew it wasn’t what she wanted.

  It all came back to that overwhelming sense of knowing that she and Foster belonged together. Her powerful premonition had touched something deep within her heart. It changed her. She did not know what the future held for the two of them, nor did she dwell on that fact for now. The premonition, and meeting Foster, signified a transformation in her life. It altered everything.

  For once in her life, shy little Mara decided to take action instead of floating aimlessly along. First, she had remained in London without her parents. Next she spoke to her aunt about her idea for the children’s bookshop. Then she’d met Foster Sheridan in the park.