by Alice Kirks
But as the doctor entered, followed closely by the officer that had been sent for him, her name suddenly recovered to her. A mass of relief washed over her as she lay, thankful and content, as though her identity had been returned to her, having been lost. Blowing out a heavy sigh, Katie was about to expose her discovery, when a thought swiftly occurred to her.
Perhaps, this was the miracle that could prevent all that was about to unfold. All that was about to pin her down as a prisoner of society. Would it be so terrible to use this situation to her advantage? She simply could not marry Lord Sutton now, not knowing that her darling sister was madly in love with him. And he with her. There seemed no way out, but maybe she could play this out a little longer. She just needed some time to think.
A niggle of guilt played at the fringes of Katie’s conscience, but she repressed it. This was fortuitous but it could be used for her benefit, for now at least.
‘I am so frightened,’ she whimpered, feeling a little cruel and not more than slightly pathetic, but she must do what she must do. ‘I…I do not know who I am. Oh, what is to become of me?’
‘You are safe. I promise, I will not leave your side. It is fortunate you did not sustain any more damage from the fall.’
‘But I cannot remember.’
‘Do you know how very brave you have been throughout this whole episode? I’ve seen grown men who would whimper more than you have.’ He smiled kindly down at her. ‘You are a daring spirit and you rode so well. All will be well, I promise.’
As Katie watched his soft lips move when he spoke, she started to doubt all that she had held dear. Maybe marriage would not be so bad if she found such a dashing hero to be her life companion. Her heart swelled as she thought of herself beside him always.
The defined line of his jaw, the breadth of his strong shoulders, having the ability to pick her up from the field as if she had been a dry leaf. And yet, the softness at which he attended her, guarding her honour by never being in the room alone with her, and his praise of her bravery. Really, could a woman want for anything more in a gentleman?
Chapter 5
Every eye was on her, even if only by sly glances on account of her father being nearby. Being the only woman there, meant her presence at the meet was quite conspicuous and yet, had she been of a plainer face, she would unlikely be garnering such attention. And by no means, was she plain. Robert would go so far as to say beautiful, but not in the way of the typical attention seeking, women who flaunted themselves so amicably at the opposite sex.
Confident and obviously proficient, she sat tall, handling her horse well, even if it did seem agitated. The white of the beast stood in stark contrast to the navy of her gown and tight-fitting riding habit. Her slender form beneath showcased in the cut of the cloth. Half boots peeked below her gathered skirts, tucked firmly in her side saddled stirrups, that he hoped, would hold her securely.
She suddenly saw him staring, but he did not look away. It seemed too difficult to tear his gaze from her. Her softened eyes nodded at him and he returned her far off greeting, watching the tight curls that sprouted from beneath her navy bonnet, bounce and flutter as the wind tugged at them gently.
Robert had attended the hunt primarily out of respect for the invitation, but secondary to that, a necessity to clear his head. His return to York only a few days previous, brought with him a heavy burden, of which he still had little clue on how either to carry nor be rid.
Having already enquired from several dubious characters, a means to raise the needed funds for Winfield Manor, he was ever more resigned to the fact that he would eventually have to give in to his pride and follow his aunt’s wishes. If he found a wife with a promise to produce an heir, the Duchess would save the manor. A prospect that held little joy.
Whilst more than a proficient rider, he had not been on a hunt for quite some time, and so stayed back from the pack. It was not the main reason. The Lady—for he knew from the murmurings of his men that she was Lord Ennis’s daughter—that had caught his attention, riding superbly as she was, trailed behind the rest of the field. Whilst he would like to assign all his motives to chivalry, the truth of the matter was, he was enjoying watching her.
That was, until he saw her trouble. Extremely deep and dangerous trouble.
The agitated horse bucked just before the fence, and her body, twisted from the saddle, was no longer in rhythm. At first, he thought the horse would not make the jump, but it did so, landing terribly, and in a second of horror, he witnessed her being thrown clean from the horses back.
My God!
Had he had time to think, given the recent death of his brother, he would have feared the worst.But he did not have time to think. Robert only reacted.
Thundering towards her, lying dishevelled on the muddy field, he hardly waited for the horse to halt before vaulting off it to see how badly she had been damaged.
A relief swept over him when he realised, not only was she conscious, but it would appear, the damage was minimal. He sought to acquire assistance immediately and dispatched her quickly to the inn. It was, to his knowledge, the nearest place where she could rest and be in comfort and a proper assessment could be given.
It had already been an eventful hour or so with her falling in and out of consciousness and now, it seemed, the poor woman did not know her own name. He had only discovered it through the knowledge of the innkeeper.
Lady Katherine Ennis now lay in the bed, disorientated and quite distraught. Careful to protect her honour, he had assigned Collins and Jackson to be present in the room at all times, the doorway being left open. A Lady’s reputation was quickly ruined and not so swiftly vindicated. Having sent for her father, and consulted with a physician that happened to be lodging at the inn, there was little he could now do but wait.
He didn’t have to wait long.
Some sort of raucous drama could be heard on the stairwell and the distinct boom of a man’s voice carried up to the room accompanied by heavy footfall of more than one person.
‘What is the meaning of all this?’ The rounded, older man demanded, still wearing his riding garb as he stepped across the threshold, followed closely by, Robert assumed, his footman. ‘What do you think you are doing, bringing my daughter to an inn? Lady Katherine Ennis belongs in no inn. Good Lord, her reputation will be ruined!’
Robert stepped forward.
‘I assure you Lord Ennis; her honour was protected at all costs. I took it upon myself directly to guarantee it was such.’
‘And you are?’
‘Captain Robert Barkley Sir.’
Lord Ennis regarded him dismissively and brought his attention to his daughter. Approaching the bed where Robert already stood, he addressed his daughter gently, his face now soft with concern.
‘My dear, are you alright?’
Lady Ennis seemed to look at her father with mistrust and suddenly, thrusting out her hand, grabbed the sleeve of Robert’s coat, gripping it tightly.
‘Stay close to me Robert. You are my intended, you have to protect me, for I do not know who this man is.’ Her voice carried fear as it near trembled.
The two men looked at each other in astonishment. Robert, first to her father, and then back to her. Her father, glaring accusingly at Robert and then, pained at his daughter.
‘What on earth is going on?’ He attacked Robert, ‘What have you done to her? Is she drugged!?’ He boomed.
Robert began by shaking his head vehemently, and before he was able to formulate a reply, the physician Robert had been consulting with since their arrival, stepped between them.
He spoke with some authority, so the two men turned to him. ‘I have seen this once before. A case as severe as this is very delicate.’
‘Case? What case? Who are you?’ Lord Ennis demanded authoritatively.
‘I am a physician Sir. I am lodging at the inn and was called upon by Captain Barkley the moment your daughter was brought upstairs. The case I refer to was a time I was attending le
ctures in Italy. I was called upon in a small village where a Count had also fallen from his horse. He was found by a peasant girl, and her family took him in until he was well enough to travel again. However, when the Count regained consciousness, he believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that the peasant girl was his wife. Nothing could be done to dissuade him otherwise. It was of a most delicate nature, which only for my intervention, could have been much graver. I fear, Sir, that any sudden upsets could possibly worsen your daughter’s condition, as it did with the Count.’
‘What do you mean?’ Lord Ennis probed.
‘Well, he took a rather severe breakdown Sir, of which, I had to bring him back, using the medical knowledge I had at the time. I have, I admit, never seen anything like it since then, until now. It was most fortunate that I was lodging at this inn at this very time.’
‘So, what do you suggest?’
‘She must be allowed to believe, that at the moment, this is indeed the case.’ He said, in a lowered voice.
Both the Captain and Lord Ennis glared at the physician. The physician moved a little farther away from the bed and the two men followed. Lowering his voice even further, he continued.
‘I know, but it is of such a delicate situation. It is obvious she is delusional and she thinks the Captain here is her intended. He did rescue her after all, did he not? This must be handled with the utmost care. My advice is all I can offer at the moment, but I can certainly visit her regularly if you wish my expertise in this matter, as I am sure there are few who have experienced this in such severity as I.’
Lady Ennis sighed loudly, and brought her hand to her head. Lord Ennis turned and rushed to her side, closely followed by Robert.
‘My dear, are you well?’
She frowned deeply at him, looking quite plainly, that she did not recall who he was.
‘Katie,’ he took her hand gently in his. ‘I am your father. Do you not know me?’
Lady Ennis silently shook her head and gave a look of confusion and distress. Her pleading eyes darted up to Robert, who had situated himself just behind her father. This reaction suddenly pushed Lord Ennis into a decision.
‘I need to get her back to Spencer Manor immediately; the carriage is downstairs.’ He threw a glance to Robert. ‘You must come back with us. I am sorry if this may inconvenience you, but I cannot take the risk of her veering any further.’
Robert nodded an acceptance to his superior. ‘I understand completely, Sir.’
Lord Ennis deepened his brow. ‘I will expect you to behave as a perfect gentleman.’ He growled.
‘Of course.’ Roberts’ reply was of a tone that Lord Ennis should expect little else. ‘I must away and speak to my commander, but rest assured Lord Ennis, I will be discreet.’
‘Thank you.’
Chapter 6
Given who Lord Ennis was, his commander had been more than understanding, though Robert doubted such liberties would have been afforded him if it had been a gentleman or any person lower in class.
Under instruction that he was to keep his commander informed of any progress in the situation, Robert was given leave to go to Spencer Manor whilst Lady Katherine Ennis remained in such a precarious condition.
As a soldier, it was hardly ideal, but he imagined the lodgings to be far better than the inn. And of course, he would get to spend some time with the beautiful Lady Ennis. Indeed, he would be lying if he could not admit to himself that she had captivated him on some level.
With the evening already closing in, his horse galloped toward the manor. Even in the dusk light, Robert was a little taken back by the size and expanse of the palatial home. The long, gravel road that led up to the entrance looked extremely well kept, as were the huge gardens that surrounded the property.
Robert had been raised in a Dukedom; he was not ignorant of, nor phased by, peerage. But he could not help but be surprised. A lordship in and of itself could present in many ways, but to find Spencer Manor in such extravagance showcased the wealth of the family.
Inside the manor, his assumptions were only expounded as he was readily waited on by several servants on his arrival. His horse taken care of by a young stable hand, he was guided through a grand hallway to the drawing room where introductions were made to Lady Francine Ennis and Lady Melinda Ennis, Lady Katherine’s mother and sister.
‘Captain Barkley, how wonderful to make your acquaintance.’
Robert bowed to the ladies, before being invited to sit.
‘Katie, Lady Katherine, has been taken to bed to rest. We think it best after everything that has occurred.’
‘Indeed.’ Robert conceded. He noted where Lady Katherine had inherited her prettiness, but observed her mother’s tight aloofness. Her smile appeared, not more than a little disingenuous, not quite reaching her eyes. A trait that reminded him a little of his aunt.
Her sister, Lady Melinda Ennis, on the other hand, wore both her heart and her gratitude openly, though, seemed more reserved than her sister. Sitting quietly but attentive, she seemed satisfied to let her mother hold most of the conversation.
After much praise of his gallant rescue of her daughter, Lady Ennis wanted to hear, in detail, what had occurred. Robert willingly obliged. Lady Melinda seemed shocked at her sister’s diagnosis and Robert re-enforced what they had already been told by Lord Ennis. For Lady Katherine Ennis’ well-being, he would have to impose on them for a short while. Lady Ennis assured him that, she felt it was quite the other way around.
At dinner, Robert was introduced to other guests, one of whom was Lord William Sutton. A man around his age, if not a little younger. He recognised him from the hunt, recalling him talking to Lady Katherine as he had been gazing over at her. Robert took an immediate liking to the young, but seemingly shy lord.
‘It was jolly fortunate that you were there at the opportune time.’ Lord Sutton praised him. ‘Heaven knows what may have become of her if she had been left in that cold for any length.’
‘I did what anyone else would have done under the circumstances. I am just relieved that she is safe, if not completely well.’ Robert nodded modestly.
‘Well, yes, the situation could have been dire.’
Robert smiled, and whilst he understood what the lord meant, he felt losing your memory and not remembering any of your family was quite a dire situation to find yourself in. However, he said nothing and instead inquired of the relationship he had with the family.
‘May I ask, are you a relative of the family?’
‘No, not at all. A neighbour actually, well, if you count six or so miles away a neighbour.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘Yes, my father and Lord Ennis were great friends, the two families have known each other many years. But less of me, what of yourself? I hear you are just returned from America. How goes it over there?’
‘Thankfully, they have now decided on a truce. Much to the relief of us all. I’m afraid it was not a very pleasant situation, but then, war never is.’
‘No, for sure. But at least we beat the Yanks.’
‘I am not sure that was ever the intention, but I feel, and it is only my humble opinion, it was a war that gained little for anyone, but unfortunately many losses on all sides.’
‘Indeed. I would like to personally thank you for your service though. We, the privileged, take far too much for granted the sacrifices that have been made.’
‘Gratefully accepted.’ Robert smiled, impressed by the maturity of the lord and a little surprised. It was not often he could recall that depth of understanding from one who would never go into battle.
‘I hope you do not feel me presumptuous when I also offer my condolences on the death of your brother. I cannot imagine how devastating that has been for you and your family.’