“That was before I met your mother. This lady was the proverbial one who got away.” Harry winked at Elise, then climbed out of the car and collected her luggage from the boot.

Grateful for the few extra seconds to collect herself, Elise fumbled with the door lever and let herself out. “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Sammy. One of the staff will act in the place of your childminder until your father gets a nanny sorted.”

Sammy made a face. “I don’t need a nanny. I’m not a baby. I’m in primary school.”

“Up here, you’re still considered a ‘wee bairn,’” Elise informed him.

Sammy didn’t respond to that.

Gravel crunched, and Harry placed her suitcase on the bottom of the stairs, then turned to give her an impertinent bow. “My lady.”

“Don’t you start,” she grumbled.

Harry flashed her a grin filled with all the old devilment she remembered from their university days. She opened her mouth to say something smart, but her father’s butler, McFarlane, a very proper man in a three-piece suit, opened the massive front door and came down the castle steps.

“McFarlane, how nice to see you again. Could you manage my luggage?”

The butler nodded. “Aye, indeed. Might I say what a pleasure it is to have you home, Lady Elise?”

“Thank you. How is Mrs. McFarlane? Is the hip still bothering her?” Elise inquired.

“She had it replaced January last and is getting about much better now. Thank you for asking.”

“Now that your luggage is sorted, we’d best be off.” Harry rounded the bonnet and looked at her over the top of the car. “I’ll see you at half seven?”

“Aye. Make sure Sammy brings his wellies and raincoat.”

Harry hopped inside the Fiesta, and without a backward wave, started the car and took off down the lane.

Elise turned back to McFarlane and forced a smile to cover the awkward gaffe in Harry’s manners. The butler lifted her luggage and started up the wide, sweeping steps.

Placing her hand on the rail, Elise followed, her boots echoing hollowly on the stone beneath her feet. As she approached the door, her stomach roiled, and she steeled herself as her two worlds were about to collide.

Chapter 9

Morning sunshine streamed through the breakfast room’s tall casement windows. After a careful survey of the chafing dishes on the oak sideboard, Elise helped herself to a bowl of fruit and a scoop of yogurt. She took her accustomed seat just as several goldfinches landed on the holly bush outside the window, their bright red faces and yellow wing patches vibrant against the dark-green foliage.

The anniversary clock on the mantel ticked away the minutes, the only sound in the quiet room. Elise sighed. She missed London’s traffic, the hustle and bustle outside her flat, and the constant movement of people going places.