Three Times a Lady Read online

  “Then you’re perfect for the job.” Haile turned his attention to Zeva and Jasper. Mari could tell by their look this was unlike Haile’s personality. “She’ll be paid three thousand pounds a month, and the apartment is included with the job.”

  “That’s too much. You’ve been generous enough, Mr. Haile.” Mari shook her head. “All of you have gone out of your way to help me...”

  “First, let’s drop the Mr. Haile, shall we? It’s just Haile,” he said, cutting her off. “Second, that’s the average anyone would make for the job, and the apartment sits empty most of the time. You can utilize it, make it a home if you so wish.”

  “But where will you live?” Mari questioned.

  “I have a house close by off Terrace Place,” Haile answered. “I was going to stay at the pub last night because of the rain.”

  “That’s so much more than what I was making in Texas,” she admitted. “T-Thank you so much, all of you.”

  Zeva smiled. “It’s okay. Sometimes we need a change, even if it’s an entirely new country to make our lives better. I honestly never missed D.C. after I left, and I hope you can make a life here as well. If not, we can always get you back home, if it doesn’t work out.”

  “I never want to go back.” Mari heard the intensity of her tone and saw the question in their eyes. It was the perfect time to tell them the truth, but she couldn’t bring herself to show them how much more she was damaged.

  Haile wasn’t as subtle. “What happened to you at home?”

  “She’ll tell us when she is good and ready,” Zeva said firmly. “I don’t care if we are helping her or not, we’re still three strangers asking her life story.”

  “You’ve been more kind to me than most people in my life,” Mari said gratefully. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

  Zeva smiled. “I’m going to enjoy this. I feel like the only American here, it will be good to see another face.”

  “Who knows how to chicken fry a steak,” Mari pointed out.

  “Oooh, I haven’t had one of those since Fort Sill,” Zeva said excitedly. “With gravy?”

  “All the trimmings,” Mari confirmed.

  “So that’s a thing? How does a chicken fried steak work?” Jasper asked curiously.

  “You’ll just have to taste the magic,” Zeva said. “Mari, I’m going to send that packet in today and have it expedited by a lawyer friend of ours who helps us out sometimes. In about four weeks or less you should be good to go.”

  Mari looked at them gratefully. “Again, thank you all for helping me. I thought I was totally shit out of luck after Jeffery screwed me over. That man is so dishonest and deceitful, he’s slicker than a boiled onion, I’ll tell you that right now.”

  “A boiled onion...” Haile mused on the words.

  “It’s an old Texas saying,” Zeva said with a laugh. “One thing I loved about the South was the twang and the quaint sayings. My favorite is ‘Bless your heart.’”

  “I say that to, Mrs. Humphrey,” Haile said.

  “When you say it, it’s sweet, and you’re saying she is a good person,” Mari pointed out. “When we say it, it’s like you poor silly thing, bless your heart you are so dumb.”

  “Never tell this to Mrs. Humphrey when you meet her,” Haile answered. “Speaking of which, we should go so I can show you the workings of the place before we open up and people start coming in.”

  He stood and Mari followed suit. Zeva was going to stand but Mari hurried over to her instead.

  “Please, you stay here. You are ready to drop that baby any minute now.” Mari bent to give her a quick hug. “I appreciate all you have done for me.”

  “Glad to help.” Zeva smiled and rubbed her belly. “Maybe I’ll get to come in for some shepherd’s pie before the baby comes. I’ve been craving Mrs. H’s and doused with hot sauce.”

  “She’s been eating very strange things in this pregnancy,” Jasper said with a smile. “She doesn’t like Yorkshire pudding but has been eating it every night.”

  “My friend was addicted to Rocky Mountain oysters with hot sauce and ketchup when she was pregnant,” Mari said with a laugh. “She hated those things before.”

  “Oysters are yummy fried or raw,” Haile commented.

  “Rocky Mountain oysters are fried cow testicles,” Mari explained and watched Jasper and Haile go pale.

  “On that note, we’ll take our leave,” Haile said and after another round of goodbyes escorted her out.

  On the drive back to the pub he glanced at her and asked, “That’s not really a thing, is it, to eat fried testicles?”

  “It’s a delicacy in Texas.” Mari laughed. “I’m not kidding.”

  “Dear God, and they say us Brits are strange,” he murmured.

  Mari laughed again and for the first time in a long time it was a real laugh, one that had a hint of freedom in its tone. Her life was filled with anxiety, even more so after her failed attempt of love in the world of online dating. For once it seemed like she was taking the right steps even in a new country. Please, please let this work out, she sent the message out into the universe hoping that some higher being heard. She was tired of the constant battle to survive, of running, and she wanted to live now, for her and not in fear of anyone else.

  * * * *

  By the light of day, Mari took in the comfortable atmosphere of Haile’s pub while he showed her around. She took the time between the tour to study the man who had literally plucked her off the street. He was a full-fledged ginger: his red hair and beard were the same perfect shade. While he kept his beard trimmed neatly, today his hair was tousled and windblown compared to the night before when he had it combed and styled. Haile had deep green eyes pierced through her and when he looked at Mari, she averted her gaze because she swore he could see all her secrets.

  He was tall, she liked that, and his chest was broad beneath his sweater. It didn’t take being in his life a long time to see that he’d been through some damage of his own but her instincts told her he was kind and could be trusted. Hell, because of him she had a job now and some kind of stability; he didn’t want anything in return. Mari was accustomed to that, with him she didn’t need to be wary. Mrs. Humphrey bustled out of the kitchen as he showed her around the office and introductions were made.

  “Well now, if she can make some kind of dent in this chaos you call an office, she is an angel in my book,” Mrs. Humphrey announced. “He can eat, but the boy doesn’t have the patience for paperwork.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, and if you ever need help in the kitchen, I’m your girl,” Mari said with a smile.

  “I’ll tell you right now, Miss, the kitchen is my domain unless I give you permission,” Mrs. Humphrey said sternly.

  Taken aback Mari nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

  A sudden smile broke out over the older woman’s face. “But I’ll be glad for some company sometimes.”

  “The potpie I had for dinner was delicious,” Mari said. “If you don’t mind teaching me...”

  “So you came in last night then?”

  “I picked her up at the station,” Haile said quickly.

  “No, tell the truth, I won’t have lies surrounding how I got to be here then the truth makes me look more ashamed,” Mari said firmly and explained how she ended up in Northumberland. “I want my side to be clear if Jeffery Moermond or his wife speaks ill of me. I had no clue he was married, and I certainly did not expect to be where I am now. Luckily, between Haile and the help I received from Duke and Duchess McTavish, I’m getting myself together.”

  “I thought after Cornelia McTavish left they would too.” Mrs. Humphrey made an angry sound in the back of her throat and shook her head. “It is alright, Mari, Jeffery has tried that same scenario with almost every young woman in this area. Some are wise to his actions and others fall into his bed willingly. And you can understand the type of women they are. Joslyn... Well, she would prefer to cut her own down than to accept her husband is a man whore.”<
br />
  “Dollie, such language!” Haile teased.

  “I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” Mrs. Humphrey said primly. “If anyone says anything to you, Marisol Elliot, you direct them to me, and I’ll set them straight. Jeffery Moermond shouldn’t be walking free after what he did to Haile’s sister is my opinion...”

  “That’s enough of that,” Haile cut off the older women gruffly.

  “Now you don’t get to snuff my words, Haile Buchannan,” Mrs. Humphrey swatted at him with a hand towel. “Just because you’re the Lord of the lands doesn’t mean you are the boss of me.”

  “Excuse me?” Mari looked from one to another, and Haile turned beet red under his ginger hair.

  “Oh, he didn’t tell you, did he?” Mrs. Humphrey’s crowed. “Well, he doesn’t like people to know, but this is Lord Haile Buchannan of Alnmouth, a lovely seaside town bordering Northumberland, it was once a fishing town. His family started that town centuries ago and showed fealty to the king, earning them the title and it has been passed down to the oldest son since the eighteen hundreds.”

  “Thank you for giving her the history of my family,” Haile said sarcastically and got swatted again for his sass.

  “Don’t you take a tone with me, boy,” Mrs. Humphrey gave him a mock curtsey. “Your welcome, M’Lord, now I shall go back to my kitchen to prepare your meals.”

  “Whatever,” he mumbled as she turned away. “Mrs. Humphrey.”

  “What, you smart mouthed tadpole?” she answered.

  “I love you Dollie.” Hailed moved and gave her such a big hug he lifted her right off her feet, and she giggled like a schoolgirl.

  “Oh, be off with you,” she said, smiling. “Mari, if you need me I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Mari said.

  She watched the exchange between them, stunned at his title and seeing the genuine affection they had for each other. She met Haile’s gaze and understood instantly the many questions she wanted to ask him had to wait. His face was guarded, and she saw hurt in his eyes.

  “So show me the rest of the place,” Mari said with a smile.

  “Come on, we’ll go meet the waitstaff and update them that they’ll be reporting to you,” Haile said, and she could hear the relief in his voice.

  The wait staff came in for the lunch hour, and soon introductions were made and they welcomed her warmly, even though she could see the questions in their eyes. They just assumed that she was a friend of the Duchess, but if anyone questioned her she would tell them the truth. Later that night, when Haile was gone and the pub was closed, Mari try to settle herself in the apartment that would now be home at least until she got her own place. Yes, she was planning to stay and maybe she could make this place her home. With her laptop in front of her, she sat on the comfortable, worn sofa with a blanket over her legs. It has started rain outside again and the drops beat steadily against the window in a comforting thrum.

  “Lord Haile Buchannan’s sister,” she murmured as she typed the words on the keyboard.

  Her eyes scanned the search list, and she clicked the most recent article she found. The picture of a gorgeous young redhead popped up, and the caption she read made her blood run cold.

  “Missing twenty-year-old, Lady Angela Buchannan, linked to Jeffery Moermond, a suspect in her disappearance,” Mari read aloud.

  The article painted a picture of love gone wrong, and Jeffery getting rid of Haile’s sister when his wife found out but there was no proof. There were some who believed the liar, and of course his wife stood with him in his denials. Haile had called for him to be arrested, and there was a video from four years prior where Haile grabbed the man, and they had to pry his fingers from around Jeffery’s throat.

  “Oh hell, what have I gotten myself into?” she said quietly.

  Could she have been a victim of Jeffery’s, or was there more to the story? It was all a lot to take in, and she closed her computer, deciding to go to bed. Essentially she was caught between Haile who had some kind of royal title and the man who could have caused his sister’s disappearance. Chaos seems to find me wherever I go.

  Chapter Three

  Haile understood there was no way he could keep her cooped up in the pub. Jeffery Moermond would never step foot in his place, but by now the gossip would have gotten back to him and his wife that Mari had stayed in Northumberland. From his sources, Joslyn was not pleased while Jeffery seemed almost too interested. If this was the place she chose to live, she would need to get out and learn the area and the people. In the two weeks she was working for him, he saw her skill at management and the easygoing personality she had that made people comfortable.

  She laughed with the servers, and if they got slammed, helped out with food or behind the bar. She gained friends in her co-workers quickly, and Mrs. Humphrey developed a fondness for her early on. Haile tried his best to keep his distance and give her a wide birth, but every time she turned in his direction with a smile on her face and laughter in those soft brown eyes his heart sped up just a bit, and he found it harder to resist being around her. Shit, like she needed that in her life—yet another man with secrets and a past hanging around her.

  Haile watched from a distance as she started stepping outside to take in the town and explore, buy food or knick-knacks for the apartment. Jeffery would never change how he operated when he thought enough time had passed he would approach her. That day, while she strolled through the market with a bunch of flowers in her hands, Jeffery strolled behind her. Haile got out of his car quickly and crossed the street in the Sunday afternoon crowd. His eyes were ever intent on Mari as she bought a coffee and bun before sitting at one of the outside tables to enjoy the sweet, warm treat. Haile’s training kicked in, to remain hidden even with his signature red hair, but by now he was close enough at the fruit stand with his knit hat pulled down over his hair. He could hear their conversation when Jeffery sat down in the second seat at Mari’s table.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” Jeffery drawled. His voice made Haile want to rush over and punch his face in.

  “You...” Mari emphasized the word. “Are not meeting me anywhere. I was eating my snack, and you... sat down.”

  “Don’t be that way, love,” Jeffery purred. “It was all a mistake, me and the wife, we’re getting divorced. That’s why I wasn’t at the station to pick you up.”

  “You’re kidding me, right?” Mari looked aghast. “Your wife asked me if I was the nanny. You must be out of your damn mind.”

  “You took up with that drunk bastard, Haile Buchannan,” Jeffery sneered. “You seem to have fallen nicely on your back to a lesser man.”

  Mari laughed and retorted, “Haile is one hundred times the man you are, and trust me, I didn’t have to lie down for it. While you, on the other hand, your nose is firmly up your wife’s ass. Need to keep mommy happy for an allowance, right?”

  “You don’t have an inkling about that man, he is dangerous...” Jeffery tried another tactic. “Everyone around here can tell you that.”

  “Funny, it seems everyone loves him, and for a man so low in character his business is packed every night.” Mari nibbled at her bun.

  “Lower class,” he muttered. “Haile blames me for something that is not my doing, but he’s the dangerous one.”

  “Hmm, I’ve heard that about you,” Mari pointed out. “Goodbye Jeffery. Never talk to me again.”

  Jeffery put his hand over hers, and Haile could see he squeezed enough that she looked at him in surprise and alarm. “You’d better be careful of me, Marisol. I can make your life very difficult here, and remember you told me everything about your life in Texas. I can use that to my advantage... maybe find Marcus... But if we meet up and have a little fun now and again...”

  He let the words drop, and Mari dragged her hand away. “Go ahead, find him, call him, ask your wife to pay his airfare to Northumberland. He’d hear your pansy-ass voice and hang up instantly. But I’ll tell you this: I won’t live in fear of him
or you ever again. The thought of you disgusts me. I’d rather lie with dogs than with you. Get away from me before I start screaming, and baby, I’m from Texas. I can be loud as a tornado siren if I want to.”

  Jeffery inclined his head stiffly and got up before walking away from the table. Haile watched her for a moment, and she rubbed her wrist. She said she wasn’t scared, but he saw the name Marcus meant something. Plus, when Jeffery grabbed her hand, she had flinched. He was a man who preferred to have all the information so he could make the best decision. While she sat and finished her snack, Haile merged with the crowd and soon had Jeffery in his sight. He loathed and despised that man who was now walking casually and talking on his cell. Haile moved from behind him, and he was so close to Jeffery he could have snatched him around the neck. But he wouldn’t do that in a crowd, with witnesses. Instead, Haile rounded a corner on the cobblestone road. There was an alley right along the path that Jeffery would take, and it was conveniently secluded. Haile waited patiently and heard his voice as he passed by.

  “I’ll see you later, you nasty bitch. Wear that nasty little leather thing when I show up. I’ll bring the money, don’t you worry,” Jeffery drawled.

  Haile’s hand reached out as his nemesis pushed the cell in his jacket pocket, and he grabbed the collar of Jeffery’s coat. It gave him infinite pleasure to hear the breath whoosh out of Jeffery’s lungs when he slammed him against the wall. He pulled him back into the shadows of the opposite building. Haile’s forearm was across Jeffery’s larynx before he could utter a word.

  “Hello, Rat.” Haile’s voice was soft but deadly.

  “Let go of me or I’ll have the police after you,” Jeffery rasped out.

  “Who’s going to believe you?” Haile asked calmly. “Everyone who lives around here can see I keep to myself and far away from you. Why would a man who is a decorated part of her majesty’s army waste his time on a low life murderer?”

  “For the last time, I had nothing to do with your sister going missing.” Jeffery could barely breathe, his face was turning red, so Haile eased his hold just a bit.