Mara's Legacy

by Z Minor

Overview

When Mara Highbridge determines it is time to find her birth parents, she is unprepared for her life to be turned upside down. She faces kidnapping, street gangs, even a reclusive baroness who wants to prevent her achieving her goal. But help is on hand from an old family friend she soon comes to think of as her knight in shining armor. Barnaby's attraction to Mara started the moment they met. He knows his past makes it impossible for him to marry her... Yet he will give his life to protect the woman he loves and uses every resource, even his former East End gang, to uncover the history of the fabulous necklace left to her by her mother. The race is on to find out the truth about everyone and everything, including if Mara and Barnaby's love will survive the turmoil.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781509224692
Publisher:	Wild Rose Press
Publication date:	04/29/2019
Series:	The Sisterhood of the Coin , #2
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.43(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Woodhaven Manor, 1821, London

Mara Highbridge, the mistress of detail, mulled over her strategy even in her dreams. Give her an idea, and in no time, she formulated a plan for its completion from start to finish; nothing ever was left to chance.

Before going downstairs to surprise her older sister with an impromptu meeting, two words popped into her mind — positive thinking. She had to keep her emotions hidden. Theatrics would not help her cause. Mara worried her lip. She did not have time to devise a new scheme. It was time for action. Her future depended on her sister agreeing to her plan.

She hoped to convince Nicola for the very first time in their lives that she, Mara, could and would take charge, and follow through with a plan of action without anyone's help. She only needed to obtain some information from Nicola's mother. A shiver flowed through her entire body when Mara realized she would be at the forefront, not hiding behind the scenes as was her usual strategy.

She walked out of her bedroom and took a deep breath. Mara straightened out the dark blue ribbons cascading down the front of her new dress. She stuck out her left shoe and then the right to make sure there were no smudges on her new dark blue leather slippers. To keep the cold draft off her back, she draped her shawl over her shoulders and strolled down the stairs as she gathered her courage.

Mara took a sneak peek in the hall mirror to make sure her curls were gathered on the top of her head and tiny tendrils were in place around her face. Looking her best just might make a difference in the outcome of her encounter.

Nicola had been her champion her entire life. Mara was always the quiet, organized, determined one. She never ruffled anyone's feathers. She left that task to her dear sister — and irritate them her older sister did from time to time. This allowed Mara to sit back, look innocent, and let her sister fight her battles — large and small. Yet all would change today if her plans moved forward as she hoped.

Mara's head pounded just thinking about it as she stood ready to intercept her sister. Nicola was leaving the city for an undetermined duration. There would not be much time to plead her case.

The second Mara heard her sister's voice, she hurried to the foot of the stairs in the foyer and began biting her nails.

This is my last chance to convince Nicola to get the information only her dear mother can provide. I can do this; I can do this. I know I can do this.

The moment her sister's feet touched the tiled floor, Mara cleared her throat as she strolled up to her. "Sister-Dear, before you leave I must speak to you." Her mouth suddenly dry, she found it hard to swallow. How Mara wished for a cup of hot tea. "It is important — at least to me."

"Now? We are ready to depart. The carriage" — Nicola pointed to the front entrance — "has arrived."

Mara pursed her lips. "I promise to take but a moment of your time. Please, Sister-Dear." She walked over to the library doors, opened them, tapped her right foot, and watched her sister and brother-in-law.

Nicola turned to her husband and handed him her coat. "Clay, I shall be a moment."

"Take your time." He squeezed her hand and spoke just loud enough for Mara to hear. "You know she is up to something."

"Yes, the moment she said, 'Sister-Dear.' "

To keep from being disturbed Mara shut the library door after her sister crossed the threshold. "I promise to be brief." She reached into her side pocket and produced the old Roman coin with a chariot on its face and her name engraved on the back. Mara passed it to Nicola.

"I am invoking the pledge we made when The Sisterhood of the Coin began so many years ago. I am requesting you gather information about my birth parents and any pertinent details about the person or persons who delivered me to your mother, my foster mother, when I was only days old."

Mara held up her hands to stop her sister from interrupting. "Please let me continue." She shut her eyes for a moment. She could not lose her nerve when she had come this far.

"I have thought about this since your discovery of your birth parents. I need to know why my parents gave me away like a loaf of bread. My birth family may not have a position in society like yours. However, it has become all I think about since hearing those women talking at Mrs. Pearly's party late last year. I must know who and what they are, even if they are not the most desirable."

"I don't know what my mother can or will tell you or me. You must remember she is gravely ill and that is the reason Clay and I are leaving now for Highbridge Manor."

"All I request is that you talk to her. Ask her to share any details about the night I was brought to her. This might be my last opportunity to gather any information. She is the only one who holds the key to my beginnings."

"I pray my mother's illness shall pass. And I shall honor our pledge made so long ago. I accept your coin and promise to do all I can to assist. After all, isn't that what sisters do?"

"Thank you, Sister —"

"Do not call me Sister-Dear again. You and Emmy only use that endearment when you expect me to take on one of your problems. Well, not this time. I can only gather relevant facts for you. Do with them what you wish. Remember, I cannot come to help you."

The two women hugged as Clay knocked on the door. "Nicola, we must leave."

Mara strolled back into the library after the carriage vanished down the street. She sat in front of the fire. Once the information pointed her in the right direction, it would be time to face reality. She would have to ask the questions that needed to be asked, and be strong enough, and smart enough to seek not only the answers but take any necessary action as well. Mara's nerves were strung tighter than she could have ever imagined.

* * *

The following evening, Mara parted the lace curtains covering the glass front door of her dress shop. She took one look at the darkening sky and decided she could not get a hansom cab to stop due to the increase in traffic. It would be faster to walk the short distance to the Woodhaven Estate. The wind picked up the leaves near the lamp post, swirling them across the sidewalk in front of the shop. Mara slipped on her coat and wrapped her multi-colored woven scarf tightly around her neck. She pulled on her gloves, stepped outside into the cold air, then shut and locked the door behind her.

The lamplighter jumped from his ladder to the pavement. She wished him a pleasant evening. He tipped his hat, gathered his toolbox, swung his ladder onto his shoulder, and scurried down the street. Until her sister and brother-in-law returned, Mara was house minding the Woodhaven Estate. She would be the lady of the manor, a thought which caused her to hum a happy tune.

Except for the road traffic, the street was void of people. The light from the street lamps flickered, darkening the shadows around the buildings. Without warning, a gust of wind danced the leaves and dust across the pavement, first going one way and then another. She wanted to cross the road at the corner where vehicles were forced to stop for traffic entering the main road. Mara set a brisk pace toward the edge of her shop.

Suddenly a chorus of voices permeated the air. "Miss Mara! Miss Mara! You forgots your hat."

She turned toward the sound of thundering feet. Eel, her store manager's son, and his mates dashed to catch up to her. Without warning, she found herself facing in the opposite direction. A man gripped her upper arm and pulled her closer to him.

"Now!" His deep voice growled, "You be coming with me."

She looked straight into his dark, blood-shot eyes. Mara tripped on the hem of her dress and staggered. He was dragging her away from Creations. The smell of rotting cabbage permeated the air. Greasy hair framed his pockmarked face. His black coat danced around him when the wind caught the unbuttoned garment. An angry scar crisscrossed the top of his hand.

"You let me go, right now!" Mara shrieked, straining to dislodge his fingers. "Who are you?" She pounded on his hand with her clenched fist. She struggled to yank her arm out of her coat sleeve. His grip proved too tight. Her legs continued to get tangled in her skirt.

"I refuse to go anywhere with the likes of you." She spun, twisted to break loose, and knocked the top hat from his head.

CHAPTER 2

Eel and his mates slid to a stop inches from Mara. Eel grabbed the man's forearm, trying to maneuver his body between them. Jeb, one of Eel's mates, aimed a hard kick at the attacker's shins. The moment Jeb made contact he bellowed. Jimmy, the third boy in the trio, stuck his foot out to trip the gent. The lad stumbled against Mara.

Eel observed the attacker trying to pull Mara toward the back of the building next to the dress shop. Jeb continued to kick at the man's shins and made direct contact more than once. The lads danced away from the gent's colossal swinging arm and managed to keep the man and Mara in front of the shop.

"Lady, come now or I shoot." He suddenly pulled a pistol from his coat pocket.

The three lads tried their best to stand in front of Mara. Each time they did, she stepped in front of them. "You boys stay behind me," she shouted.

The attacker continued to wave the pistol in Mara's and then the lads' direction. "I kill you all now."

* * *

Barnaby Roget, a family friend and a partner of Mara's brother-in-law, found himself strolling by Creations most days in the hope he would get a glimpse of her or possibly even talk to her. He had fallen in love the first time they met. She was everything Barnaby wanted in a woman. Mara was only a few inches shorter than his six feet four inches. His brown hair looked even darker when compared to Mara's threads of spun gold curls. Her hands were delicate, and her long fingers elegant. He became mesmerized watching her hands move as she talked.

But he knew he would never be able to make an offer for her hand. He had no title, no estate, and not nearly enough money. Most importantly, however, it would not be an advantageous match for her. He was a former thief from the East End of London, while she had connections to London's high society.

He heard the commotion, looked ahead, and quit his daydreaming. He bolted down the street without even thinking the moment he recognized Mara. He silently approached the man from behind and slammed him to the ground. The pistol slid across the pavement, stopping inches from the boys.

"Do not touch the weapon," Mara ordered them.

Barnaby grasped the front of the attacker's coat, jerked him to his feet, and managed to get in a solid punch. The man staggered then spun around in a circle.

"Back to the shop with her," Barnaby shouted to the boys. He pulled a blackjack from his back pocket.

The attacker dashed across the sidewalk. He darted into the bustling traffic. Shouts of alarm from the carriage drivers followed him across the road.

Susan, the store manager, opened the shop door seconds before Mara and the lads vanished behind it. Barnaby reached down to pick up the weapon and Mara's hat leaning on the lamp post. He rushed after them. When Barnaby entered the building, the silence was unnerving after the scuffle on the street.

"Mara, where are you?" he called.

Susan entered the room. "Please to follow me. Her be settled in the final fitting room."

Barnaby followed. He rubbed the sore knuckles on his right hand. Mara sat with her head tilted against the back of an upholstered loveseat. Her eyes were closed. He knelt down and took her folded, cold hands into his. Her hands trembled. He felt her racing pulse.

"My dear, are you hurt?" he whispered. He inhaled deeply. Mara's rose perfume floated around him. He felt the heat of his yearning and reached out to touch her hair.

She licked her lips and shook her head. "I am still in one piece, though a little shaken. I have no idea what happened or why."

He liked the soft feel of her hands, enjoyed holding and stroking them, even if it wasn't proper. He appreciated the comfort it gave him. Barnaby wanted to take her in his arms and keep her close.

Susan carried in a chair for him.

"Where is Eel?" Barnaby never took his eyes off Mara. "He must go and bring Clay and Nicola." He leaned back in his chair. "It is not safe for Mara to be on her own."

"They be gone. Left London yesterday."

His shoulders slumped. "Oh, how could I have forgotten?"

"They plan to be gone at least for a fortnight. I am staying at Woodhaven until they return," Mara whispered.

Susan poured freshly made tea into cups for Barnaby and Mara. The fragrant smell of mint filled the air.

"When I saw the pistol, I did not know what to do — he could have ..."

When her hand started to shake, Barnaby gently took the cup and set it on the table next to the loveseat.

"I have never been so scared. I am so thankful you were there. Without you, I do not know what would have happened to us." Mara shuddered and closed her eyes.

"Who is staying with you at Woodhaven?" Barnaby retook her hand and squeezed it.

"Susan, Eel, and the servants. So, you see, I am not alone."

"I shall stay in some corner of the house until we discover who is responsible for tonight's disturbance. I promise not to compromise you in any way. A crazy man tried to kill you tonight. I cannot leave you on your own."

Barnaby wrote a note asking the butler to have the carriage brought to Creations. It would not be safe for Mara to walk the short distance to her temporary home. Eel and his mates thundered out of the shop with the paper tucked securely in Eel's pocket.

In no time the carriage sat in the mews at the back of the shop. The lads returned with two Bow Street Runners. The two burly men entered Creations behind the boys. One Runner stayed to guard the dress shop. One would be their escort to Woodhaven. Barnaby would have to arrange for other bodyguards. Rather than be gone this night, he would go see an old friend in the early morning hours. Tonight, it was necessary to get everyone settled in the house.

Mara started to fall asleep about the time the carriage came to a complete stop in front of Woodhaven. The lads jumped down. Barnaby surveyed the street. Once he felt it was safe, Susan and Mara exited the coach. The Runner stood off to the side ready to spring into action if needed. Once the inside of the house had been secured, the Runner would patrol the outside until daybreak.

A comfortable fire always burned in the library, which kept the constant draft out of the large room, which for some reason no one could explain had become the official gathering place in the home. The double doors opened inward. The fireplace stood left of the entrance. A bank of three windows along the outside wall overlooked the garden. Bookshelves covered the remaining walls and accommodated every size of book imaginable from the smallest, the size of a man's palm, to the bulkiest, which required two people to move. A large desk stood on the far side of the room. Chairs and a loveseat sat in a semi-circle before the fire.

"We be having our evening meal with the servants." Susan took charge of the boys.

"Thank you. Mr. Barnaby and I plan to eat here. We have much to discuss." Mara walked over and sat in one of the chairs and draped her shawl around her feet. "I am so tired." She yawned. "Please excuse me. Believe me, it is not the company." She leaned her head against the back of the chair.

Barnaby cleared his throat. "Are you sure you did not see your attacker in the past? I do not believe he would have been hard to miss. Maybe one of your customer's servants or a man on the street?"

"I have never seen him until tonight. I may forget someone's name but never a face. I do not deal directly with any of Creations' customers."

"Not ever?"

"Never. Being the owner and couturière of a dress shop is my best- kept secret. If anyone knew, I would no longer be invited to social functions. I would be considered a shop owner, which is little better than a servant to many in the upper crust of society."

"Who handles your clients?" Barnaby stood and walked over to the bottles of liquor on the sideboard. "Do you mind if I pour myself a whiskey?"

"Help yourself." Mara reached out toward the handsome man. "Please bring one to me too."

"Would you rather have a sherry? I could ring the bell for the butler or a maid."

"No. I want a whiskey. Sherry is for old ladies."

"Yes, miss. One whiskey for the lady." Barnaby poured two drinks and handed one to her with a slight bow. "Do you think you should contact Nicola and Clay about your attack tonight? They would most likely return."

(Continues…)

---

Excerpted from "Mara's Legacy"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Louise Z. Pelzl.
Excerpted by permission of The Wild Rose Press, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---