While she’d been with the Scotts in Connecticut, her social life had indeed been quite limited, but she hadn’t minded it. She was used to a quiet life at the convent although, ironically, she’d been one of the more boisterous novices there—another sign that she didn’t fit there, no matter how much she wanted to and tried to make it work.
She’d been with the Scotts for five months and she would miss them all dearly. Although she’d been tempted to join them when they’d asked her to accompany them to Japan for Mr. Scott’s job transfer, she didn’t have any regrets about saying no. She absolutely wanted to travel and see the world, but she wanted to start with Europe first. She was English on her mother’s side and Austrian on her father’s—they’d been generations removed from the mother countries and both only childs to boot, but she’d wanted to see if she could track down any distant relations.
Maria knew a part of her yearned for family—that was why she’d been drawn to the Church, although it became obvious that she had no true vocation for it. And why she’d liked working with children and families—it helped quiet the yearning a bit. Her biggest fear was getting too attached to the children and believing herself to be part of the family, but so far, that had not been an issue.
That was another reason she’d hesitated about being a live-in at first, despite how well it paid—the fear of getting too attached. It had happened to her more than once as a child in foster homes. Thankfully, though she’d grown very fond of the six-year-old twin boys and their baby sister and they to her, it hadn’t been a problem remembering that she wasn’t truly family.
Maybe Sophie was right, Maria mused, fondly thinking of her best friend back in Boston. Maybe she never felt as if she’d belonged anywhere and that kept her wary of relationships, especially with men. Maybe she really was just too scarred by her childhood abandonment issues.
Maria snorted and mentally rolled her eyes. Obviously it was time to call Dr. Phil. She had yet to meet anyone—Sophie included—who didn’t have a truckload of issues.
She slowed down and squinted through her windshield—yes, that was the gated turnoff that would lead directly to the house. She sighed in relief—and none too soon, since the snow had started falling much faster and heavier now.
She contacted the house from the security panel with a video monitor and camera next to the gate and was buzzed in, the gates opening silently to let her pass through. Even though she was on Trentham property, she still drove for at least half a mile on the long driveway before spotting the house.
She gasped as it came into view—it was absolutely stunning, a grand, stately residence that wouldn’t look out of place in Europe. It had a classical stone façade and its imposing three stories looked more like an English manor house than something just an hour’s drive north of Manhattan.
Maria gulped, suddenly feeling very nervous. The Scotts had been wealthy, but not on a scale like this. This house—mansion, really—reeked of money, both old and new, and a whole different world than any Maria had ever been exposed to before.
She said a quick prayer as she parked the car in the circular drive in front of the house. Taking a moment to calm her nerves, she breathed deeply before getting out of the car. With shoulders back and chin lifted, Maria walked up to the door decorated with an elegant wreath and rang the bell. Maria Berger, the Reverend Mother would be so disappointed that you’re intimidated by a display of wealth, so snap out of it!
Feeling marginally better, Maria felt her assurance flag a little when the door was opened by someone who looked just like a butler straight out of a British period drama. Of course a house like this would have a butler.
Feeling like she should apologize for coming to the front door and not the back, Maria said hesitantly, “Hello, I’m Maria Berger, and I believe you’re expecting me.”
“Yes, of course, Miss Berger. Please do come in,” the butler said with a small smile, stepping aside to let her enter.
Maria stepped through the door and nearly gasped—if she thought the house was gorgeous from the outside, it didn’t compare to the interior. The large entry hall had a soaring ceiling from which hung a beautiful Venetian crystal chandelier, and a wide, marble imperial staircase led to the second floor. Light streamed in from skylights built into the high, beautifully molded ceiling; the skylights combined with the light-colored walls gave the entire space an even airier feel.
The floor was tiled in black and white polished marble in a checker pattern. Stunning artwork hung on the walls and elegant antiques were carefully arranged around the hall, including a towering grandfather clock. A massive, fifteen-foot Scotch Pine Christmas tree dominated the space, trimmed with exquisite, delicate-looking ornaments. It did not look like a tree decorated by a family with four children. The overall effect was grand, beautiful and cold, more like a museum rather than a family home. She wondered if the cool grandeur of the entry hall was to deliberately intimidate—if so, it was definitely effective.
“Maria, I’m so glad you beat the storm!” a cheerful voice called out. It was Matt Drake, and Maria was glad to see a familiar face and smiled at him brightly.
“Mr. Drake, it’s lovely to see you again. I am too—I’m glad I decided to leave Boston right after mass this morning. I was afraid traffic would be heavy and I didn’t want to be late.”
She reached out and shook Matt’s hand. She immediately felt more relaxed—Matt had an open and friendly manner that had come across even on the phone during her first interview. His warmth and friendliness had been even more apparent when they met in person. She guessed him to be in his early thirties, with light brown hair and warm brown eyes, and good-looking in a non-assuming way. She was sure his boyish charm was the perfect mask for his shrewd mind.
“Call me Matt, please—you’ll be a member of the household soon enough,” Matt said with a disarming grin.
Maria chuckled. “Well, not quite, I’ve yet to even meet Mr. Trentham or Meggie and the other children. I’m sure they’ll have some questions for me. I don’t want to make any assumptions that they’ll like me before I’m officially hired.”
“Well, I can honestly say that you’re by far the best candidate I interviewed, and Gabriel usually trusts my judgment when it comes to hiring nannies—you’re the third one I’ve vetted in four years. And the previous two nannies turned out fine even if they each had to leave for different reasons. So it really will be just a formality, don’t worry.
He’s actually leaving for the airport soon—he has business in Chicago for the next two days, unless everything is cancelled because of the storm.” Matt grimaced at the thought.
Maria relaxed a bit at Matt’s reassurance. “When do I meet with him then? Before he leaves I assume?”
“Yes, I’m to bring you to his study in just a few minutes—he’s finishing up a phone call right now. Would you like anything to drink or to freshen up, Maria?”
Maria nodded gratefully. “I’d love to freshen up a bit—I didn’t stop on the way here. And please, call me Ria—most people do.”
Matt’s smile suddenly froze on his face. He blinked and then the expression was gone. Maria wondered what could have caused that reaction.
“Ria, huh? That’s a lovely nickname. Let me show you to the powder room.”
As Maria walked away, Matt’s smile slid off his face. Ria, Ria! Could it be her? Nothing in the background check he’d run on Maria Berger would have turned up a one-night stand from the summer, of course. She definitely fit the description given to him by Gabriel, but of all the crazy coincidences, who would have thought she’d literally show up on his doorstep, and the timing couldn’t have been worse!
Matt winced when he thought about Olivia—if this was indeed the Ria that Gabriel had practically torn apart Boston searching for, they were all in for some interesting times. Matt’s eyes suddenly widened—Gabriel obviously had no idea of Maria’s previous occupation before she became a nanny—was there time to warn him…?
Even as he impulsively stepped in the direction of Gabriel’s office, he heard Maria’s footsteps approach. Too late, dammit. Oh well, Gabriel will just have to deal with it.
Matt grimaced quickly when he thought of Gabriel’s probable reaction and replaced it with a guileless smile as he turned back to Maria. He looked at her with a new appreciation, seeing her short, bright golden locks, bluer than blue eyes, her tall, slim, gently curved figure clad conservatively in a soft gray sweater set and a charcoal wool pencil skirt paired with dark tights and black ankle boots with a modest heel.
Despite the demure clothes, Maria was a knockout—if he wasn’t quite happily gay, he’d be tempted to make a play for her himself. But thinking of Gabriel’s foul temper after his unsuccessful attempts at locating the mysterious Ria, he hastily changed his mind. He valued his job—and his life—too much to even consider poaching on anything Gabriel considered his. And without a doubt, Gabriel considered Ria his.
As he looked at Maria’s lovely smiling face, he wondered how she’d feel about that.
MARIA NERVOUSLY PULLED AT HER cardigan as Matt knocked on the door. Butterflies had started fluttering in again on the short walk to Mr. Trentham’s home office. She knew it was normal to have nerves—she really wanted the job, after all—but it wasn’t so much the forthcoming interview as the speculative look on Matt’s face as she returned from the powder room before he quickly erased it that had her on edge.
Matt had been nothing but purely professional in their previous interactions, so she’d never thought he was personally interested in her. She hoped she was wrong, and she’d simply misread the appraising glance he’d given her—she would have never accepted this position if she thought there was an even a remote chance he’d be interested in her that way.
“Come in,” came the curt reply in a crisp, beautifully resonant voice, and the butterflies in her stomach suddenly started doing cartwheels and backflips. His voice was so familiar…
“Gabriel, Maria Berger has arrived,” Matt announced and Maria took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway, and immediately froze, her feet glued to the spot. Her heart was in her throat as she stared at the man rising from his imposing mahogany desk, his hand outstretched towards her.
‘Hello, Miss Berger, I’m Gabriel Trentham. I’m glad to finally meet you, Matt has been nothing but enthusi—“
The words suddenly stopped as she met the dark blue eyes of the man she’d spent the most unforgettable night of her life with. A man she’d never thought she’d ever see again.
“Ria?” he finally said in a hoarse voice, his skin pale beneath his tanned skin. Slowly, he stepped away from his desk, walking steadily towards her until he stopped, his body nearly brushing hers. She could only stare at him, utterly speechless, her mind still scrambling from shock as his hand came up and delicately touched her cheek, fingers trailing down to brush against her mouth. She trembled as heat flared at his touch, memories of that night careening through her, of his talented, elegant fingers learning every single inch of her body, of his mouth, that shockingly carnal mouth and sensual lips…