Page 208 of Modern Romance Collection February 2025, 1-4

You’d be powerless again.

A memory returned, of her standing by her grandparents’ car where she’d been told to wait while they talked to her mother. Of her not knowing what was going on and trying to ignore the growing suspicion in her gut that, whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be good. No one had told her what was happening. All she’d been told was that her grandparents were taking her out for an ice cream, and she was to go with them and not cause a commotion.

She’d stood by the car and watched as her mother had glanced once at her, shrugged, then walked away.

That had been the last time she’d seen Sonya.

Her grandparents had bought her the promised ice cream but then they’d told her that she would be living with them from now on. Then she’d been thrust into a new living arrangement, in an unfamiliar environment, with people she’d barely known. She’d cried, of course, heartbroken at being taken away from the commune and her mother. Her grandparents had ignored her the way they always did when she ‘made a fuss’. She’d never felt so powerless and she was not going to let that happen again.

Just then, Polly came bustling into the kitchen, breaking the train of Maude’s thoughts.

‘Well, Mr Lancaster is on his way,’ Polly said as she began opening cupboards and putting things away. ‘He’ll be staying a couple of nights.’

Maude was conscious of a little shock arrowing down her spine. ‘H-he is?’

‘Yes, just got a text from him.’ Polly straightened and gave her a concerned look. She was a motherly woman and Maude liked her quite a bit. ‘You’re looking a bit peaky, love. Are you quite all right?’

The Harrises didn’t know about her pregnancy. No one knew except the doctor and Dominic Lancaster, and Maude didn’t particularly want to tell Polly now. Not when there were so many things undecided.

‘I’m a bit tired.’ She pushed the chair back and stood, picking up her laptop. ‘I might go and have a lie-down.’ She paused a moment. ‘He won’t want to see me, will he?’

Polly shook her head. ‘Oh, no, I shouldn’t think so. Not sure why he’s here. Probably something to do with the sale.’

Maude stilled. ‘You know he’s planning on selling?’

‘Oh, yes. He’s been talking with John and me about it for a couple of months. A good thing if the manor goes to someone who will actually live here.’ Polly pulled open the dishwasher and began unloading it. ‘The house needs a family and Mr Lancaster isn’t about to start one any time soon.’

Maude found her hand was creeping to her stomach again. ‘You don’t think he will?’

‘No, love,’ Polly said, her attention on the dishwasher. ‘He’s not a family man.’

She should go, let Polly continue cleaning up, but she didn’t move. ‘Do you...know him well?’

If Polly found her curiosity startling, she didn’t show it. ‘Known him going on about ten years now,’ she said, methodically unloading some teacups. ‘When John and I took over management here. This was his childhood home, apparently, but he never visits. He only comes for his midsummer parties and that’s it.’

Maude’s curiosity deepened. She hadn’t known he’d grown up here at Darkfell. Interesting. And perhaps another thing she could use to get him to keep the place.

‘Do you know why he’s selling it?’ she asked.

Polly shut the dishwasher. ‘No and it’s not my business either. John and I are due for retirement, so I won’t be sorry. It’s a big place to look after with just us.’

As if on cue, the rhythmic thump of helicopter rotors came drifting through the air, and Maude was conscious of a sudden electric thrill pulsing through her.

‘Oh, that’s him,’ Polly said. ‘Better get on with airing out the bedroom.’ And she vanished out of the kitchen door.

Maude took a breath as the sound of the helicopter came closer and closer.

He was coming and he would want to talk to her, in which case she’d need to prepare herself, as well as decide what demands she was going to make. Because therewouldbe some demands.

She just hoped he’d be prepared for them.

As his helicopter settled on the grassy lawn at the front of Darkfell Manor, Dominic stared grimly out of the window and wondered for the millionth time just what the hell he was doing.

He didn’t need to visit his childhood home physically. He could have rung Maude and talked to her or sent her an email or even a text. Except he hadn’t. He’d organised his helicopter and here he was, and he still didn’t understand why.

He’d spent the past week keeping busy with client meetings and investigating a couple of new investment opportunities—something he normally loved doing. He’d also thrown himself into attending multiple parties, including the opening of an exclusive new club in London. There had been the usual celebrities, socialites, a few royals and captains of industry all in attendance. Again, usually something he enjoyed.

Yet as he’d sat in the VIP area with more than a few beautiful women all vying for his attention, he’d felt...dissatisfied. And, worse, bored. The same boredom that had been dogging him for months, along with the same restlessness. It was infuriating.

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