Four stories high counting the attic, the stone edifice towered over the lawn, and the mullioned windows reflected a blank stare that made her think the mansion kept centuries-old secrets. Two wings sprawled out from the main house. She had no idea how many rooms the house had, but she suspected it was at least thirty.
It was only as they reached the mansion that she noticed the way vegetation had chipped away some of the foundation. After she stepped from the car, she saw the peeling paint on the windowsills and the rotted frame around the massive double doors.
This banjaxed place formed a sharp contrast to Barry’s pristine home at the Battery. It intrigued her. She approached the porch and heard mewing. “I’m hearing kittens?”
He grimaced. “I hate cats. I’m allergic.”
She ignored his comment and got onto her hands and knees to peer under the porch. Three pairs of eyes looked back. “There are three of them. Here, kitty, kitty.” She waggled coaxing fingers in their direction.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her upright. “There might be snakes under there. Poisonous ones.”
Alanna brushed the dirt from her hands and shuddered. “You have poisonous snakes?”
“Copperheads and coral snakes. You won’t see any coral snakes, but you might see a copperhead or two.”
“I want to see the kittens,” she said. “Can you pull them out for me?”
He shook his head. “I told you, I’m allergic.”
“But they’re so cute! I love kittens. And dogs. I want a houseful of pets,” she said.
“I don’t like an animal to touch me. You’ll have to keep that houseful outside.” His smile was indulgent, and he nodded toward the house. “I know it’s a bit unkempt right now, but we’ll soon set it right.” Barry slipped his hand under her elbow and led her up the chipped steps, nearly three meters wide, to the porch. Avoiding warped floorboards, he guided her to the front door and twisted the knob.
She tried to peer through the sidelights. “It’s not locked?”
“The lock is broken. No one bothers things out here anyway. They think it’s haunted.”
She stopped on the threshold. “Haunted?”
He shrugged. “You know how people can be superstitious. They see lights or hear a creak from a broken shutter and think it’s a ghost.”
“You’ve not been seeing anything?”
“Not since I was an impressionable kid.”
She tipped her head to one side. “Is that the ocean I hear?”
“Sure is, sugar.” He pointed to the right of the house. “The ocean is just past the sea grass. You can see a hint of blue.”
She stared out past the waving sea grass, marveling at the lovely view. No wonder he was quite taken with this place. She could love it too. “What about hurricanes?”
“We’re pretty sheltered here, but when we get heavy rains, we can be flooded in.” He shoved the door open the rest of the way. His smile widened as he scooped her up in his arms. “I think we’d better follow the protocol.”
Carried in her new husband’s strong arms, Alanna entered her new home. No one but Liam had held her in so long, and the situation was just—wonky. She didn’t dare struggle to be put down. After all Barry had done for her, he deserved better.
A cool dankness greeted them, a dark smell that made her think of dead things and vampire bats. She barely suppressed a shudder. Barry set her on her feet, and she glanced around. The wallpaper, a faded rose pattern surely dating from when the house was first built, bulged in places where the glue had let loose from the wall.
The floors caught her attention. “Mahogany, are they?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Brazilian cherry,” he said proudly. “They’re in perfect condition.”
They were the only thing she saw in perfect condition, but Alanna could make out the strong bones of the grand lady. She could envision the house in its old glory. She walked past a curving staircase to an entryway and passed into a large drawing room. The ornate fireplace had some plaster missing, but it must have been beautiful in its time. In this room the paper had been stripped and rose-colored walls gave the room a cheery glow. The rug in the center of the floor appeared new, as did the rolled-arm sofa and chairs.
“It’s lovely.” The décor was not her cup of tea, but what did she know about such things? She’d add her own touches and make it a home. She was lucky to be living in such a mansion.
Barry beamed. “I had it done last week, just for you. The fireplace will be repaired next week. Your bedroom is finished too. Would you like to see it?”
She nodded and followed him back to the entry hall and up the stairs. The curving stairway was ten feet wide with a polished wood banister that matched the floors. “This place must have been something in its day.”
Barry frowned. “It’s lovely now, full of history. I thought you’d love it.”
“I do,” she said hastily. “I meant I can see the grandeur of it. The wallpaper must have been quite beautiful when it was new.” When his frown didn’t lessen, she knew she was digging herself deeper into the hole. “How lucky you are to have grown up here. I’d love to hear about your family.” He’d said little about his heritage.
“Our family,” he corrected. “My parents will be back from Europe soon, and you’ll meet them.”