Niles chuckled. “Where is your sense of adventure? We were just robbed by a highwaywoman. That is not exactly an everyday occurrence.”

Eugenie brought her gaze back to meet his. “I wouldn’t call that a robbery. Besides, it might have been exciting if you had not ordered me to stay in the coach like a helpless child.”

Not feeling the least apologetic for his actions, he replied, “I was trying to keep you safe.”

“You were being overbearing,” she shot back. “And, for the record, I would have loved the opportunity to exchange words with our peculiar thief.”

“I will remember that for next time.”

Eugenie gave him an exasperated look. “I think it best if we do not speak again until we reach Aunt Margaret’s. Your voice is beginning to grate on my ears.”

Niles grinned. “You are being quite pleasant this evening.”

“I’m tired,” she muttered. “We have been on this infernal journey for days, and all I want is a warm bath and some peace.”

He could hardly fault her for that. The journey had left him weary as well. Still, the memory of the highwaywoman played in his mind, finding the mystery of it all to be that much more intriguing. Closing his eyes, he settled in to wait for their arrival.

A short while later, the coach came to a jerking stop before a grand white-brick manor. The footman hurried to set the step down and opened the door, bowing as Niles stepped out. He turned to assist Eugenie, but she batted his hand away with a look that she’d had enough of his hovering.

The main door of the manor swung open, and a tall, thin woman with silver hair and a radiant smile stood waiting. “You are here!” Aunt Margaret exclaimed, her voice ringing with genuine delight.

Eugenie rushed forward, embracing their aunt warmly. “Oh, Aunt Margaret, it is so good to see you. It has been far too long.”

“Yes, it has been,” her aunt confirmed.

Niles lingered at the edge of the steps, feeling awkward and out of place. Physical affection had never come naturally to him, even among family. But Aunt Margaret would have none of it.

She descended the stairs swiftly, pulling him into a firm hug. “Niles,” she murmured, holding him close.

He hesitated before tentatively patting her back. “Aunt Margaret.”

She stepped back, her smile intact. “Thank you for indulging me. I know you are not fond of hugs, but I will take one from you any day.”

“For you, Aunt Margaret, always,” Niles replied.

“You are so much like your father,” she said, studying him with a wistful expression. Then gesturing to the open doorway, she added, “Come inside, both of you. You must be famished after your travels.”

“I could always eat,” Eugenie admitted as they stepped into the warmth of the manor.

“I thought you wanted a bath,” Niles teased.

Eugenie shot him a mock glare. “Food first, then a bath.”

“You shall have both,” Aunt Margaret said as she signaled to a plump butler. “Turpin, inform Mrs. McLeod to prepare some trays for their rooms. They must be exhausted.”

“Thank you, Aunt Margaret,” Eugenie said, looping her arm through her aunt’s. “You will never guess what happened to us on the way here.”

Aunt Margaret gave Eugenie an expectant look. “Well, do not leave me in suspense. I am an old woman and could die at any moment,” she quipped.

In a low voice, Eugenie said, “We were robbed… by a highway woman .”

“A woman?” Aunt Margaret repeated back in surprise. “Are you certain?”

Niles interjected. “Quite certain.”

Aunt Margaret’s face turned grave. “This is serious. We must alert the constable at once. We cannot have a highwaywoman terrorizing the citizens of this village.”

Eugenie smirked. “Niles seemed rather taken with her.”

Their aunt’s eyes widened. “There is nothing romantic about being robbed by a highwaywoman.”

“I never said that there was,” Niles said, feeling defensive. “I merely found the whole thing to be intriguing.”

“I daresay that you need more excitement in your life,” Aunt Margaret declared. “Perhaps you need a wife.”

Niles stiffened. “I do not need a wife… at least, right now.”

“You are almost thirty. If you do not marry soon, people might begin to suspect something is wrong with you. ”

Eugenie laughed. “Oh, there is definitely something wrong with my brother.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Niles muttered dryly. “Your support is overwhelming.”

“Was I supposed to help?” Eugenie asked with an innocent expression.

Niles glanced at the staircase, longing for an escape. “I think it might be best if I retire for the evening and end this line of harassment.”

But Aunt Margaret was not one to let him slip away so easily. “You can’t go yet,” she insisted. “I want to know how the Season went. I even heard a rumor that Niles offered for a young woman. Are you engaged?”

Eugenie put a hand up in front of her mouth and whispered, “She turned him down.”

He frowned. “Must we speak about this?”

“It is not as if you were in love with her,” Eugenie replied, lowering her hand. “You only wanted to marry her because she was the diamond of the Season.”

Aunt Margaret’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Ah, the elusive diamond. It matters not, because I found the perfect young woman for you.”

Niles resisted the urge to groan. “You do not need to play matchmaker for me.”

His aunt waved off his protest as though it were inconsequential. “Nonsense. What else am I supposed to do with my time? Her name is Lady Elsbeth Caldwell, and she resides at a country estate not far from here. A rare beauty, I assure you.”

“I am sure you mean well, but I can find my own wife,” Niles replied.

Before Aunt Margaret could press the matter further, the butler reappeared in the entry hall. “Trays are being sent to their bedchambers, my lady.”

Aunt Margaret’s head bobbed in acknowledgment. “Very good, Turpin.” She turned back to them, her determination undiminished. “Allow me to show you to your bedchambers.”

Niles hoped this would mark the end of the conversation, but he knew his aunt better than that.

As they walked up the stairs, Aunt Margaret continued. “We shall call upon Lady Elsbeth tomorrow, assuming you have no objections.”

“I have many objections,” Niles stated bluntly.

Aunt Margaret dismissed his words with a flick of her wrist. “You say that now, but you have not seen the lovely Lady Elsbeth. She is truly stunning.”

“I do not doubt she is pretty enough, but I do not need you to meddle in my affairs,” Niles said.

Eugenie huffed from behind him. “What affairs? You spend all your time locked away in your study, reviewing the accounts.”

“What else should I be doing?” Niles asked. “I know I eventually need a wife, but I am perfectly fine with ensuring you are settled first.”

“I have no intention of getting married,” Eugenie declared. “I would rather remain a spinster like Aunt Margaret.”

Coming to a stop in front of a door, Aunt Margaret said, “We can discuss this further at a later time.” She opened the door. “Eugenie, this is your bedchamber.”

Eugenie disappeared into the room with a playful wave, leaving Niles to follow his aunt down the corridor.

When they reached his door, Aunt Margaret lingered, her expression unusually serious.

“Is something the matter?” he asked, his hand on the polished doorknob.

His aunt sighed, her worry evident. “Is Eugenie in earnest about not wanting to marry?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“We must make her change her mind,” Aunt Margaret said firmly. “Being a spinster is a lonely life, and I do not wish that for her.”

Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he replied, “She is young. She has only had one Season. Give her time and she might change her mind.”

Aunt Margaret gave him a small, reluctant smile. “I hope you are right. Goodnight, Niles.”

“Goodnight,” he replied, watching as she disappeared down the corridor.

As he entered his room, he found Wiley, his ever-efficient valet, unpacking his trunks. “I am almost done, my lord,” he informed Niles.

Niles sank onto the settee, grateful to be off his feet. It had been a long day. “Wiley, how long have you been married?”

“Ten years now,” Wiley replied, a note of pride in his voice.

“That is a long time.”

“Not long enough,” Wiley said with a chuckle. “If you ask me, it is just the beginning.”

Niles leaned his head back, his thoughts drifting to the highwaywoman who had stopped his coach. There was something about her, something that intrigued him.

Why did he feel as though meeting her had changed everything? And why did he have the distinct impression that their paths would cross again?