Anastasia’s mouth widened into a grin. “Oh, Bella! I haven’t seen her for so long. I recall you fancied her at one time in your life.”
My whole life... “Yes, I did.”
“I have an idea.” She grasped his hand. “What if you hire Bella to be my tutor?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Tutor? Why do you need a tutor?”
She rolled her eyes and swept her hand, motioning to her attire. “Because most girls my age don’t traipse around in men’s clothes. Most girls my age know how to dance and sew... and other things. All I know how to do is shoot animals and ride astride.”
Slowly, an idea filled Terrick’s head, making him both anxious and scared. “So, you want me to hire Bella to teach you how to become a lady?”
Anastasia smiled brightly. “Exactly, and maybe I can convince her to take me into town so that I can find some friends.”
He chuckled lightly. “My dear sister, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I’ll have Father contact Bella Walsh tomorrow.”
“Splendid.” Anastasia skipped back to the tray and finished pouring the liquid in both cups. “Father will be delighted, too. I think he’s worried that I will never get married.”
Terrick didn’t want to explain to her that men would indeed marry her, but only for her vast inheritance. However, she needed to find true love, and only Bella would be able to help his sister accomplish that.
Anastasia chatted on about something, but his mind wasn’t on the conversation. Instead, he was dreading – yet anticipating – the moment Bella came to the estate. The last time she was here was seven years ago. He prayed she remembered something about their time together, even though he feared her mother had somehow wiped those memories out of her daughter’s head.
If that had happened, Terrick would never be able to make Bella fall in love with him again. Why would any woman want to love a beast?
BELLA HURRIED TO THE front door and pulled it open. Andrew and a handful of his friends – Garrett, included – had gathered in front of her house. Thankfully, her brother had believed her when she told him about spotting the panther. It was bad enough their father was losing his mind. She didn’t want to follow in his footsteps.
She leaned against the doorframe and listened as Andrew issued instructions. By the way Garrett kept gawking at her, she wondered if he had even heard a word her brother said. Well, it would serve him right if he got lost or something.
Finally, the men headed out. Andrew waved at her and gave her a sharp nod. She was sure he did that to give her reassurance, but until the animal was caught, how could she feel safe in her own yard?
She stood and watched as the men rode away from the house, but then she noticed another rider coming toward the house. At first, she wondered if it was Garrett, but then she realized she hadn’t seen any of the men turning back.
Taking cautious steps down the porch, she kept watch of the lone rider. When he stopped in front of her house and dismounted, she realized she’d never seen the older man before. He looked to be in his fiftieth year, maybe slightly younger, but the lines on his weathered face, and the white streaks coloring his dark head of hair, let her know he’d had a hard life.
As he drew nearer, her memory opened briefly, and she recalled him from her childhood. He and her father had spoken a few times.
“Miss Walsh, it’s good to see you again,” the man said, smiling.
“You must forgive me, but I can’t remember your name.”
He laughed lightly. “I’ve been away from this area for several years, but I’m Clive Wentworth. I was friends with your father.”
Wentworth? Warnings from Garrett’s conversation with her yesterday popped into her head. “Oh, yes. I heard your family had returned.”
“We have, and now I’m looking to hire someone to help me with my daughter, Anastasia.”
Confused, she shook her head. “Why do you need help with her?”
“Well, you see, her mother died right after she was born, and the poor girl has grown up without a mother. I’m not looking to remarry. However, Anastasia needs some teaching on how to become a lady.”
“How old is she?”
“Seventeen.”
She nodded as she clasped her hands in front of her. “Well, I shall ask around town for you to see—”
“Actually,” he interrupted, “I was hoping that you might be interested in the position.”
Bella gasped. “Me? Whatever for?”
“Two reasons, really.” He stepped closer. “Because you have such a kind heart, and I know you’d be the perfect teacher, and...” He cleared his throat. “Because I heard how sick your father has been and how your family has fallen on hard times. I would pay you well if you chose to work for me.”
Excitement shot through her, and yet, she dared not get too eager. After all, the Wentworths lived in the place where she was supposedly abducted, according to Garrett, anyway. Perhaps accepting this position might help her remember, especially since she couldn’t ask her father about it.
Not to mention... they did need the money.
“And to sweeten the offer,” Mr. Wentworth continued, “I’ll have my family’s nurse come check on your father daily and help him with whatever he needs.”
How could she turn that down? She’d be a fool to say no. But... what if a beastly man really lived there as Garrett had suggested? Could she look upon such a person without becoming afraid? Then again, she had learned a long time ago to look inside the person to their heart, because the heart would never lie.
She straightened, and her hands dropped to her sides. “Thank you, Mr. Wentworth. Your offer has come at the perfect time. I would like to teach your
