His heart sank at the revelation. He’d expected as much, but to hear it from her mouth still shocked him.
“There is nothing to it. I must remember who I was. Or at least find out who I was, even if I cannot remember it. Once I know who I was, I can return home, and bring you with me. If you would care to come.”
Her eyes lit up. “Of course I would. You must know so by now. If only we could work out who you are.”
He recounted the latest of his flashbacks and his conclusion that he had to be at least of the merchant class, given his talents or lack thereof.
“You are indeed a terrible stable boy. And I always thought you were far too pale to be anything but a merchant, or a vicar, or some such.”
He laughed out loud. “A vicar? Me? I doubt it.”
“Do not laugh, you may well be. You could be a physician, or perhaps a barrister.”
He nodded; these were all possibilities. But he had to know for sure.
“Can you assist me in writing a letter to Lord Alderbridge? Perhaps if I ask for his help myself.”
She grew quiet and bit her bottom lip.
“What is it, Seraphina? What is the matter?”
She looked up at him and he could tell that there was something she hadn’t told him, and something she did not want him to know.
“Lord Alderbridge has departed for London or will shortly. He is due to journey to India. Therefore…”
Oliver’s heart sank. Before he could say anything, she spoke once more.
“I have told my Father that you might have known Alderbridge. He said he will send him a note via messenger at once, so he may assist in recovering your identity.”
Relief washed over Oliver. “That is wonderful news indeed. Thank you.”
The two sat in silence and watched the sun rise above the horizon.
“It may be wise for us to move. They will be bringing the horses out to the paddock soon. While George knows of our entanglement, the other stable staff ought not to see us.”
“I know. We should leave. I must return for breakfast, but I have a little time.” She turned to him. “Would you like to walk with me?”
He nodded and rose, reaching his hand to her to help her up. For a moment, they stood across from each other, their hands touching. He found himself overwhelmed with the need to kiss her. Glancing around to ensure nobody could see them, he leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. When they parted, he felt his face flush.
“Perhaps we can walk over there.” She pointed to the north of the property. “I could show you my secret sanctuary.” She winked at him.
Intrigued he tilted his head to one side.
“Secret sanctuary? What is it? Another barn like the one George showed me to?”
She shook her head. “The old monastery. Long ago, this land was used by an order of religious monks. They had a monastery at the north end of the property. It was abandoned long ago and fell into ruin. The Marquess and the Earl tried to restore it, even added a new wing. Alas,” she shrugged. “The new wing caught fire during construction, burning it near to the ground. The shell remains.”
He gasped. “The entire structure burnt?”
She shook her head. “Only the new wing. A thunderstorm ignited it via a strike of lighting, and then the downpour soon after put it out. It’s said Queen Anne took that to mean the monastery was to be left alone. And so, it was.”
Something about her story made him shudder.
“And it is a sanctuary to you? How? It sounds frightful!”
She grinned. “The part that’s not burned is quite ethereal. And peaceful. Everyone thinks it’s haunted, so nobody goes there but me. I can sit and read in peace and look out over the woods. Sometimes I see a deer, even. But I can see the beauty might be lost on you.”
She squeezed his hands tighter and instead of north, the they began walking down the path that led toward the stable yard.
“There is a path which leads to the forest. Nobody will see us there. It might be more suitable of a destination,” she said and pointed toward the thicket.
“Very well, let us go that way.” He paused for a moment and turned to her. Her face looked even more beautiful in the rising sunlight. A strand of hair hung into her face, playing along the line of her jaw. Her neck was long and slim and reminded him of a swan.
“Do I have a smudge on my face?” she asked, turning to him.
“No, not at all. I simply found myself drawn to…” he paused and shook his head, an embarrassed chuckle escaping him, “you are a diamond of the first water, Seraphina Camden.”
She smiled, her eyes sparkling.
“It is a compliment I have heard before, but never before with sincerity.”
They arrived at a fork in the road and stopped. He turned to for guidance, as he was unsure of where each road led.
“Which way?”
She pointed to the left. “If we go this way, it will lead to a lake. It is secluded, but popular at this time of year for swimming. Thus, we may well be seen. She pointed to her right. “This way leads to the village. If we stay off the main road, we ought to be fine and nobody should see us at all.”
“The village? That is the road on which I was found, is it not?”
She nodded, “Yes, halfway between here and the village. Down an embankment.”
He rubbed his lips together.
“I had a desire to see the place where I was found. In fact, it was my intention to ask you to accompany me there, before the events of yesterday.”
They made their way across the sandy road which led to the village, walking among the trees to avoid behind seen. “What is it you hope to discover in the woods?”
He shrugged. “I am not certain. Something of mine that might tell me who I am? Some hint to what happened to me.” He paused. “Fornsham, the coachman, told me that you saw someone in the woods, the day you rescued me.”
A shadow hushed over her face, as though the memory of that day was filling her mind.
“I am not certain. I glanced out the window as we were leaving, and I saw movement in the woods. I thought I saw a person, but I cannot be sure.”
His heart beat faster. So there had likely been someone in the woods with him that day. He felt his chest constricting as he thought back to the day he had arrived here, just over a week ago. Sweat appeared on his forehead.
“Oliver?” She gently touched his arm. “What is wrong? Are you having a glimmer of the past once more?”
He shook his head. “No, not as such. It is just a feeling of…doom. I cannot explain it. I…” he stopped in his tracks, “it was here.” He pointed past the trees, farther into the thicket and walked on in that direction.
“What is? Oliver?”
He sped up, walking faster and faster. Behind him, he heard her break into a run until she was next to him once more.
“Oliver? What has come over you?”
He stopped and spun around. “Up ahead, there will be a clearing. A small clearing. And a stream. I have been there before. I know I have.”
She rubbed her lips together and peeked into the direction he was showing her. “There is a stream. I have seen it before, while walking with Mobsley.”
He felt relief wash over him at her words. He was right. He had been here. And perhaps, his salvation, and the answers to his questions were just a few steps away.
Chapter 22
Seraphina followed Oliver through the woods. The sounds of water rushing down the stream grew louder as they came closer. She sensed the anxiety in him which appeared to grow stronger the closer they got to the stream.
Then, at last, they turned a corner and it came into view. It was only a small stream, just enough to water one’s horse or splash one’s heated face.
He stopped for a moment and turned back.
“Sera?” He reached his hand out to her as she walked up to him and took it. The warmth of his hand in hers sent a shiver down her spine.
Am I making a cake of myself
, indulging in these feelings? Allowing myself to hope for a future with Oliver?
She knew that their future was dim and depended almost entirely on his ability to find out who he was. Although even if he found out who he was, unless he was a noble man, her father would never consider a union between them.
No, he would insist she wed an earl, or a marquess. Better yet, a duke. No, even if Oliver turned out to be a wealthy merchant, theirs was a hopeless union. Unless she chose to go her own way, like Cynthia had done. Leaving behind the family and obligations. She glanced at Oliver. For him, she would. But there was so much that was unknown about him.
“You are lost in thought,” he commented as they walked along the water.
“I wonder what might happen once you remember who you are. What will become of…” she raised her hand which still clasped his, indicating their entwined hands.
“I do not know. I truly do not. I wish I could tell you.” He stopped and cupped her face. “What I can tell you is that you have made this terrible circumstance bearable. You have filled me with a joy that I am certain I never felt before.”
She felt her face fall as a thought came to her.
“But you do not know that. You may…you may have a wife. Have you considered that possibility?”
She wasn’t sure why this thought suddenly occurred to her, and why she had not thought of it sooner. Oliver, or whatever his real name was, could well have a family somewhere. Children even. And here she was, moon faced over him, and daydreaming about him. And defying her father to be near him.
He shook his head. “I am certain I do not. I cannot tell you how I know, but being near you, my body is so full of warmth and hope. I know I have never felt these things before. I know I…” he blushed suddenly and glanced at the ground, “I have never kissed a woman. I know it. You are the first. And you will be the last. I do not know how, but you are going to be by my side for the rest of my life. I will make it happen.”
She believed him. She had no reason to believe him, but she did. There was a certainty in his voice, a conviction that she could not argue against. She did not want to argue against it.
“Oliver, I hope it is true. I hope it is possible.” She felt herself sigh heavily and then locked eyes with him.
“It will be,” he assured her and placed a kiss on her forehead. There was some comfort in his words and the small gesture that he gave reassured her at once.
When he let go the two turned around and walked along the stream, scanning the area as they went. They had walked on for only a few minutes when Seraphina spotted something up ahead.
“Oliver!” she exclaimed while letting go of his hand and rushing forward. There, underneath a bush, was a bunched-up piece of cloth. She squatted down and reached forward, pulling the item out. She shook it out to see what it was, sending sand and leaves flying through the air.
“A tailcoat,” Oliver said as he stepped closer.
“Is it yours, do you think?” she asked. He shrugged, taking hold of it.
“I do not know. If it is then I do not appear to be a pauper by any means.”
Seraphina nodded in agreement. The garment was of very fine material. It was a deep-blue color and was set with gold buttons. Despite the days it had to have been here in the weather, it was in good condition.
To her surprise, Oliver swiftly donned the garment. Layered over his stable boy clothing, it looked odd and out of place.
And yet, it looks as though it fits him. As if it’s his. He looks regal.
She tilted her head to one side as she watched him. He was inspecting the garment, sliding his hands into his pockets. With a frown, he glanced up at her.
“Something is in the pocket.” He pulled the item out.
“A snuff box?” Seraphina knew these boxes well. Her father was very keen on snuffing, a habit that made her shudder.
“It appears so.” He opened the item up and then grinned. Tilting it forward, he showed her that it did not contain the snuff, as expected, but instead inside were small capsules. He raised the box to his face and sniffed. “Comfits, they are comfits.”
Without hesitation, he took one between his index finger and thumb and placed it on his tongue.
“Oliver!” She exclaimed. “They may well be bad by now.”
He grinned, holding the box out to her.
“Where is your sense of adventure, Seraphina? They are delicious.” He leaned forward and breathed at her, chuckling as he did.
“Very sweet indeed.”
The sight of him, inspecting the snuff box while wearing the dirty waist coat over his stable clothing made him appear almost comical. Seraphina could not help but shake her head in amusement.
“You look a riot, Oliver,” she said.
“Don’t I look smashing? All I need is a top hat and I am fit for dinner with Prinny,” he twirled in front of her, making her giggle with delight.
With a snap, he closed the snuff box. He was about to return it to his pocket when an idea came to her.
“May I see the box?” She reached out for it and he placed it in her palm by way of a reply. She held it in her hand. It was made of oak, unlike the mahogany one her father favored. It was also heavier than her father’s, due to the comfits. She ran her fingers along the side and back, not certain what she was looking for.
Then, without thinking, she turned it over and her heart almost stopped.
“Oliver,” she whispered. “There is an inscription on the bottom.”
He was by her side in a flash and together, they squinted to read the faded inscription. “To the First Marquess of Borough…Anne R.”
Seraphina sat back, the shock of their discovery chilling her bones.
“Anne R? Queen Anne?” Oliver said, confusion in his voice.
“Indeed,” Seraphina said. She found herself out of words, for the surprise of the inscription was startling indeed. And the implication along with it.
“What is it, Sera? What is the matter?”
She gathered all of her courage and faced him. “Oliver, I’m sorry. But this tailcoat is not yours. It cannot be.”
The sting of her words was evident in his eyes. “What do you mean? How can you tell from the inscription on an old snuff box?”
“Because of the inscription. The Marquess of Borough was my Great-Grandfather. I showed you a portrait of him once, in the library. If it is his snuff box, then the coat tail must belong to my Father. Certainly, you would not have an item of my ancestor in your possession.”
Oliver’s face fell at the revelation as he quietly slipped out of the garment, handing it to her.
“You are right. Here, return it to your Father, along with the snuff box.”
The defeat in his face was clear and even more so was the way he now stood—shoulders slumped forward, eyes to the ground.
“I had hoped to find something of mine here.”
“I know,” she walked toward him and rubbed his arm in comfort. “But the day is not over yet. We can still search further.”
He shook his head.
“It is quite all right. It is getting late and I do not wish for you to miss breakfast and risk being reprimanded once more by your parents. And I certainly don’t want them to suspect you were with me. That would be devastating to our ability to see one another.”
He is sending me away, is he not? He wishes to be alone. Faith, I should not have said anything at all about the snuff box. I should have allowed him to believe the tailcoat was his.
She knew that such a deception would have only caused harm. To him, to her, and to the fragile connection they were now building.
“I am sorry.”
He exhaled and closed his eyes for a moment. When he looked at her again, the tenderness was back in his eyes.
“Do not worry, it is only a small set back. Shall we walk back to the Castle? Perhaps on the way you may show me the location where I was found?”
She nodded and pointed to the direction they’d come from. W
alking side by side, they made their way through the woods.
“It was there, down that embankment.”
Oliver rushed forward toward the location. Smudged stains were visible in the sand; blood, she was sure. They glanced around and off in the distance, she spotted a bush which looked as though it was been mangled, perhaps by the force of a body.
The Trouble with Saving a Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 16