“Splendid.” He clapped his hands once. “Shall we start tomorrow?” He glanced behind him and pointed toward the house on the hill. “We live up there.”
The ride to his house wouldn’t be that hard. However, until the panther was captured, she didn’t want to travel alone.
“I can send someone to pick you up and take you home,” he quickly added.
Inwardly, she groaned. She didn’t want the man to think she frightened easily. “No need. I can travel by myself.”
“If you insist.”
She nodded and inhaled deeply. “Yes, of course. It’s not very far, anyway.”
“Wonderful. I hope to see you tomorrow morning at ten. Does that time work?”
“It does.” She smiled, feeling slightly eased. She must trust that her brother and the group of hunters would catch the panther. She also needed to take the day and read over her mother’s journals. There must be something in there that mentioned Bella’s so-called abduction.
Hopefully, she’d find her answers at the Wentworth estate.
THREE
BELLA’S NERVES HAD been strained during the ride to the Wentworth’s estate, but only because Andrew and the hunting party hadn’t found the beast. Thankfully, she arrived at the estate without hearing an animal’s angry growl, which gave her hope that the panther had moved to prey in a different location in another part of Montana.
As for Garrett’s beast, she wasn’t worried in the slightest. She’d convinced herself last night that the man was telling his tall tales again, but this time, he was sober, which was strange. Nevertheless, she wouldn’t let him scare her. She embraced the opportunity to become a tutor for Anastasia, and in the process, make some money to help support her father. It also relieved her that Mr. Wentworth had offered his family’s nurse to watch over her father while she was gone.
As she walked up the stone steps of the grand mansion, she peered up at the many windows. One window, in particular, had the curtains closed, and yet, she thought she saw someone peeking through. A chill ran over her, and she tried shaking it off. This place isn’t haunted! Yet, the stories circling town seemed to say differently.
She couldn’t listen to gossipmongers. She must create her own opinion of this place and this family.
She stopped at the door and knocked. As she listened to the morning birds in the distance, she breathed easier. If birds were in the woods, that meant the panther wasn’t.
The door opened, and a man dressed in a servant’s uniform of gray and black trousers, shirt, and jacket, stood before her. His expression was pleasant, which relieved her.
“Hello. I’m Bella Walsh.”
“Yes. Master Wentworth was expecting you. If you’ll follow me.”
He turned and walked down a large corridor. Bella obediently followed until they stepped into a bright, cheerful room. This place was nothing as she thought it would be.
“Master Wentworth will be here momentarily.”
“Thank you.”
The man left the room, closing the doors behind him. She expelled her breath, realizing she’d been holding it. Trying to stay calm, she walked around the room, looking at pictures, and studying knick-knacks. The family was wealthy, to say the least, but so far, she didn’t remember anything about being here. Perhaps she never would, even though Garrett seemed to think differently.
She’d read a few of her mother’s journals, and they spoke about the family and how Bella had become fast friends with their son, Terrick. Because she didn’t remember much about her sixteenth year, she hoped Terrick wouldn’t be offended if she didn’t recognize him. After all, it had been seven years.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor, and she quickly stepped toward the door to meet Mr. Wentworth. The door opened, and the first thing she saw was a young girl in messy pigtails and wearing boy’s clothes and boots. As she glanced behind the girl, the man limping toward her wasn’t the older gentleman she had met yesterday at her house. Instead...
She sucked in a breath, trying not to overreact. The man’s description was very similar to how Garrett had described him. The tall man had wide shoulders, and he leaned heavily on a cane as he came into the room. A black scarf covered most of the right side of his face, and all she could see was his gray eyes. But... the way he looked at her brought a sparkle to his eyes.
Her heart flipped, yet she didn’t know why. She couldn’t remember this man, but something deep inside of her told her that he was a real gentleman.
“Good morning, Miss Walsh,” he said in a deep voice.
She smiled and nodded. “Good morning.”
“I’m Terrick.”
He paused, and she wondered if he was waiting for some recognition. Sadly, she couldn’t give it to him.
“Nice to meet you.” She curtsied slightly.
The disappointment in his eyes was noticeable, but then he pointed to the girl.
“This is my sister, Anastasia.”
Bella pulled her attention away from Terrick and looked at the girl again, closer this time. Anastasia had remarkable gray eyes, just like her brother. Their amazing eyes would be hard to forget, so if she had met Terrick, why couldn’t she remember?
“I’m very happy to meet you, Anastasia.” Bella smiled.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” The girl grasped Bella’s arm in excitement. “I really can’t wait to start our lessons.”
Bella wanted to know why the girl had heard so much about her when Bella didn’t remember one thing about this house or the family. “Then let’s not wait a moment longer. Take me to your room. The first thing we’re going to do is find a dress for you to wear.” She glanced at Terrick. “I’m assuming your sister has a complete wardrobe?”
“Indeed, she does.” He nodded.
“Come on.” Anastasia tugged playfully on Bella’s arm. “I’ll take you to my room and show you my collection.”
Before they could leave the room, Mr. Wentworth walked inside, looking right at Bella. His smile was pleasant.
“Miss Walsh, it’s good to see you.”
“And you, as well, Mr. Wentworth.”
“Did my nurse make it to your
