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The bathroom door slammed and I heard the shower turn on. I went upstairs and put on a dark blue suit and tie.
I’d known Edwin was a rigid, disciplined man, but I hadn’t realized it had extended so deeply into his life. Poor Clara, a girl without a mother, growing up in her father’s austere house.
It made my chest ache a little.
As I walked through my office, I glanced up at the portrait of Edwin on the wall. I paused, gazing up at him, conflicted.
Then, I decided, as long as Clara was living here, I would put a curtain up to cover it.
CHAPTER TWO
MERRICK
She was late, but I wasn’t worried. No one canceled reservations on me no matter how late I was—one of the perks of being the Welsh Brenin.
The door slammed and she appeared on the porch, wearing that same shade of berry pink. Her dress was a little short and maybe a little tight, but there was no way in hell I was criticizing it. She’d probably crumple up and start crying in my passenger seat if I did.
And it wasn’t my place anyway. She was a grown woman, she had the right to wear whatever she chose.
I’d asked her to lock the door and she did. I swiped my phone and brought the security app up, checking it three times to make sure it showed every door as being secured. Then I got out and circled the car, pulling her door open and holding out my palm.
She hesitated and then, slowly, she put her hand in mine and I helped her into the seat. Her fingers were slender and soft, her nails manicured. She must have stopped at the salon while she was out.
There was a little smile on her face as I got into the seat beside her and turned on the engine. Her eyes stayed glued to me as I pulled out onto the road and settled back, letting my hand rest on the top of the wheel.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
She shook her head, chewing the inside of her mouth.
“I’ve just never been around a man other than Candice’s father who didn’t just treat me like an annoyance,” she said. “And…I guess I can be kind of annoying.”
It took me a moment to gather my thoughts. She chewed harder on her mouth.
“I mean, I know I’m annoying,” she said, her mood taking a quick nosedive. “And I’m really grateful to you for taking me in and being so kind to me. I know it’s a big burden.”
That hit me where it hurt most. My parents had passed away in a car accident when I was six months old and my mother’s sister, Ophelia, and her wife had raised me. I knew what it felt like to wonder if I was inconveniencing someone else’s life.
“You’re not annoying,” I said firmly. “And you’re not a burden on anyone.”
She chewed harder, looking out the dark window.
“Clara.” My voice was more forceful than I’d intended.
“I understand,” she said quickly.
“I’m not angry, I just want you to understand that you are a talented young woman and your presence is a privilege,” I said. “I’m sorry if you ever felt like that wasn’t true, but from now on, I’ll make sure you understand it. And I will show you how you deserve to be treated.”
She cleared her throat. Her mouth turned up in a small smile again.
“Thank you, Merrick. You’re very….”
“What?” I said. “You can say it, I can take it.”
“No, it’s not bad. You’re just a gentleman and…well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
I glanced at her and her eyes caught mine.
“Even the devil is a gentleman, Clara,” I said. “You’re very sweet.”
