Page 1 of Forever My Lass

Prologue

1962

Long Island, New York

“Come, Amelia, sit with me for a moment. Although, I think it is quite likely you will think me a delusional old woman in short order.”

Patting the cushion of the chair next to her, Anna smiled as she silently invited the young woman to join her. With a quiet laugh, Amelia Whitworth shook her head and sat down in the seat beside Anna.

“Forgive me, Lady Starling, but I am the least qualified person in determining someone’s state of delusion,” the American said as she leaned forward and spoke in a sotto voice. “I hold certain beliefs that most people would deem worthy of having me committed. I’m fortunate Michael loves me enough to overlook my eccentricities.”

Amusement sparkled in the young woman’s blue eyes before she turned to look at the young man speaking with Anna’s son-in-law, Andrew, and another man whose name Anna didn’t remember. Almost as if sensing his wife watching him, Michael Whitworth turned his head and smiled at her.

Anna’s granddaughter, Emma, had introduced the newlyweds to her a week ago at a small dinner party. She’d taken an immediate liking to the couple, and it wasn’t until last night that she’d realized who the young woman was.

Now, as Anna witnessed the silent exchange between the newlyweds, it touched the deep wound in her heart that had opened up the night her dark angel had died. Even in the hour before he closed his eyes for the last time, Sebastian had looked at Anna the same way. Amelia suddenly drew in a breath of remorse and jerked her gaze away from her husband’s.

“I am sorry, Lady Starling, I’m being rude—”

“There is nothing to forgive, my dear.” Anna snorted with amusement and smiled at the young woman. “I remember moments when the world fell away every time my dark angel and I looked at each other. That never changed over the years.”

“How long were you and Lord Starling married?” Amelia asked quietly.

“Forty wonderful years.”

Anna stared down at her wedding rings as happy memories and sorrowful ones filled her head. There had been passionate arguments, too. Disagreements that had been resolved with equal passion. Anna knew what she was about to do would definitely have instigated an argument if Sebastian were still alive. But then she’d always managed to make her dark angel understand it was the rare exception when she would share her visions with someone other than him or another family member.

From the moment Emma had introduced Amelia to her, Anna had felt a connection to the younger woman, who had seemed so familiar. It had taken her several days to realize why. Then last night, she remembered the first visit she and Sebastian had made to Muchalls Hall years ago.

Sebastian had been looking into purchasing some land near Aberdeen and had frequently done business with Lord Glenburnie. Her dark angel had liked the other man, and when Sebastian had sought the Scotsman’s advice, the baron had invited them to stay at Muchalls Hall while they were in Scotland.

It was there she’d met Madeline Whitworth. The first time she’d shook Madeline’s hand, Anna had known the other woman was from a different place and time. What had puzzled her was how the woman had come to be at Muchalls Hall.

That mystery had been cleared up when she’d learned about the shipwreck and met the baron’s daughter, Grace. Now as she stared at the young woman seated next to her, Anna saw where Madeline’s warm, mischievous smile came from.

“I’m sorry if my asking about your husband has upset you, Lady Starling.” The quiet apology jerked Anna out of her thoughts.

“Now it is my turn to apologize,” she said with a shake of her head. “You’ve not upset me, my dear. I was simply caught up in happy memories. One of which involves you.”

“Me?” The young woman arched her eyebrows in puzzlement. “I don’t understand.”

“And it’s quite possible you’ll still be confused after I’ve finished speaking.” Anna winced as she heard Sebastian’s objections clearly in her head. But she knew not to question her instincts and forged ahead. “I’m going to share something that would make most people call me delusional. Although I confess it is easier to broach the subject with you after having overheard your conversation with Emma the other day.”

“Our conversation?” Amelia Whitworth’s eyes widened as uncertainty and dismay swept across her pretty face. Anna quickly reached out to touch the young woman’s arm in a gesture of reassurance.

“Of all my grandchildren, Emma is the one most like me. Where do you think her beliefs came from?”

“Oh.” The short reply vibrated with relief, and Anna laughed softly as Amelia’s face reddened. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed, my dear girl. There are more people in this world who believe in reincarnation than you might think.”

“Michael doesn’t like me to mention it in public as he is somewhat on the fence when it comes to the topic,” Amelia said with a glance in her husband’s direction.

“Sebastian was equally stubborn in his acceptance of the idea, but the night he died, he promised we’d be together again.” Anna stared off into space for a moment before she returned her gaze to the young American. “But the fact that you do believe in past lives makes it much easier to tell you something that is not only extraordinary, but will require a leap of faith on your part.”

“I actually do quite well with those kinds of leaps.” Amelia smiled with confidence.

“Very well.” Anna pinned her gaze on the young woman. “I met your granddaughter years ago when Sebastian and I visited Aberdeen, Scotland.”

Amelia jerked backward slightly, puzzlement and confusion darkening her face.