Chapter 11 ~ Welcome Home Rosa ~

• ~ Welcome Home Rosa ~
• "This was the most memorable of places when my family and I visited Ireland," Rosa remarked as the car neared Lancashire Mansion. Her eyes scanned the lush green landscape. Noting the vibrant flowers that had been added as a circular garden on each side of the driveway. And new stone pathways that snaked from the end of the driveway to the main entrance on both sides.
• Despite these enhancements, the mansion remained unchanged. The closer Rosa got to it, the more of a pull it felt around her. It was as if the house had come alive, embracing Rosa in a hug that would not let go.
• "You don't have to worry ... I will make sure the patrons that follow Travis are not ensnared in the little situation that is going on between the two of us!" Rosa said as Aiden stopped the engine.
• They observed as the contestants emerged from the cars, relieved to move around after the 45-minute drive.
• "Something tells me you are a handful!" The Earl found humour in the situation. "Though I hardily dought you can cause as much damage as my brothers!"
• 'Is that a challange?' Rosa craned her neck as she looked up at the window. The curtain pushed to the side as a black figure peered down at the people. "In truth, I prefer not to cause trouble. Majority of the time it is pointless. Then there is Travis ... His voice rubs me the wrong way!"
• William groaned, "The progect he was working on ... why would you except his offer?"
• Rosa took her eyes off the building. "I love the work! It is the only time I can use my skills and hobbies together ... than I get to create a masterpiece!"
• William took the time to really look at Rosa, taking off the filter he had placed on her. This time, he was really looking at her as if it were the very first time. "You remind me of my youngest sister! The sparkle in your eyes, the excitement in your voice, the complexion of your skin ... you remind me of Isabella!"
• Rosa lowered her head as she giggled, only looking up once she had control of her facial muscles. "Funny! We are divided by the Alantic Ocean. Raised in different households with different rules. And you can find simularities! That is pretty awesome considering the only person I have ever imulated was Mimi!"
• William raised a questionable brow, "Mimi?"
• "My grandmother!" Rosa responded quickly.
• For a beat, there was quietness as they eyed the contestants gather their belongings.
• "I would like to extend an invitation for you to join my family for tea. The meal will be served roughly around 7 P.M. I think my family would be very interested in meeting you." William's tone was coated with honey.
• Rosa looked at the mansion one last time before responding. "Why not! I am just as curious as you are. And since I still have to make Travis's exsistance a bit unbearable ... I will be here at least one night ... Assuming you have no issues with that!?" She had her head tilted to the side. "Or I could just as easily call a cab in a few hours and head to the hotel of my choosing."
• William chuckled. "I have no idea what time my siblings will arrive, but I do know that if you leave and they don't get the chance to meet you, I will never hear the end of it." He lowered his head slightly toward Rosa. "Enjoy your stay, Miss Erickson!"
• The Earl of Lancashire nodded his head. A silent message was sent to Aiden. Without any words being spoken, Aiden stepped out of the driver's seat. Promptly, he opened the car door for Rosa with a polite smile on his face.
• "Miss Erickson!" Aiden's tone was like that of an orchestra playing its finest symphony.
• Rosa grasped the handle of her suitcase firmly, clutching her bag tightly in the other hand. As she emerged from the car, she said, "Thank you, Aiden, or should it be Mr ..."
• "Aiden is just fine Miss Erickson!" He had a smile that reached his eyes. "I hope you enjoy your stay!"
• Rosa's feet crunched the rough gravel that was under her feet as she slowly maneuvered away from the car.
• William gazed as Rosa moved towards the front door. The contestants huddled together, waiting. He wondered what Rosa's plans were regarding The Game Master. Puffing out his chest, he put the thought in the back of his mind. Stepping out of the car, he was getting ready for his next task.
• Aiden let out a low chuckle, "If anything, Miss Erickson is certainly an intriguing character." He spoke only loud enough for William to hear.
• "Mam is going to love her!" William said with a wicked grin on his face.
• Rosa monitored Killer Kitten navigating the area, with Cobra and The Game Master following behind. Engaging the opponents with questions and capturing their responses. The questions along the lines of, "What are your expectations of Lancashire Mansion?" or "What do you know about Lancashire Mansion?"
• The atmosphere buzzed with cheers, hoots, and lively shouts. The Game Master worked to heighten the group's excitement, adding to the energy of the event. The Game Master did this with each video posted on YouTube.
• "Perdictable!" Rosa hissed under her breath.
• Previous shows were lower-key compared to what was going on at the Mansion. Rosa learned this was the same method to their madness. Always getting the same results. Each video released on The Game Master channel mirrored the previous one ... hype up the contestants, tell them about the grand prize, give tidbits of information about the location and its history, and show clips of the dwelling. Then, the contestants were let loose to venture around the area. The last one standing won the grand prize.
• "Clisha!" Rosa snorted as she diverted her attention back to the front door. Glaring at it as if it were the most interesting thing ever since the invention of toast.
• Minutes had passed with the creaking of the front door being opened. Gracefully, Bridget stepped out of the front door. Aiden motioned with his feet to meet her on the first step.
• Rosa studied Bridget. ' She hasn't changed since the last time I saw her, ' she said, the corners of her lips turning up. In the back of her mind, a little voice whispered the cause of Aiden's and Bridget's lack of aging. Yet she refused to believe it ... not without any proof.
• 'So what if they haven't gained any wrinkles or more gray hair like my parents did. Maybe they have great skin care products here!' Rosa rationalized in her mind. 'Or maybe they are like me!' She released a nervous breath of air.
• Leaning towards Bridget, Aiden whispered words only meant for her ears.
• "William wants Miss Erickson to be placed in the single room." Aiden paused for a moment. "You might remember her as Niamh Rosa Lancashire from 10 years ago."
• Instantly, her eyes widened, and she looked shocked. "What!?" Bridget scanned the location until she saw Rosa. An expression of sadness washed over her. With a single nod toward Aiden, Bridget acknowledged what had been spoken to her.
• From the shadows, William motioned with his feet, with his head held high. This was the first time the contestants had seen the Earl. Some females began to fan themselves, while one whispered, "I heard that all of the Lancashire brothers are unmarried."
• Rosa signalled her head back and forth as she spotted William pivoting his head in the direction of the individual who had spoken. Rosa groaned internally as a smile began to form on William's face, showing off his perfect white teeth.
• Passing The Game Master, 'I will deal with you later!' William thought bitterly. His smile had dropped immediately.
• Going up the three steps, William paused in front of Bridget, whispering instructions in her ear. Without waiting for a reply, William moved his feet into the mansion.
• The moment the door closed, Aiden waved his hand to get everyone's attention and announced that they would lead the guests to their accommodations. "Once you have been shown to your chambers, we will give you a tour of Lancashire Mansion." He smiled as he spoke.
• With their belongings in hand, the group moved through the foyer. The females followed Bridget, while the males followed Aiden.
• Even after a decade, Rosa was still impressed with the Lancashire Mansion. 'Okay ... I am glad I came here instead of calling a cab!' Rosa marked some changes in the foyer's arrangement.
• The shuffling of feet and many "wows" bounced off the walls as the contestants and crew marvelled at the location.
• Rosa began to notice that some things had changed. 'The portrait of Lady Niamh Lancashire is gone.' Rosa had noted that it had been replaced with a door. 'Okay, that is odd!'
• The guests were captivated by the beauty and the meticulous setup of the place. Murmurs erupted everywhere while the guides did their best to keep everyone together.
• Rosa noticed that the corridors that had been closed off to her the last time she had been there were now available. On the walls hung an array of family portraits. Rosa stopped moving her feet as she admired the artwork. "I have missed out on so much!" she gossiped.
• “Miss!” Bridget was drawing Rosa's focus back to the group.
• Shyly smiling, "sorry!" She whispered. As she moved her feet to catch up with the group. 'What is a tiny change in my plans? A night or two will not ruin a thing I have going on!'