Sweet Memories

by Marie Higgins

  He scratched his chin. Vicky was probably in her early twenties, but he thought Rebecca’s should have been in her thirties by now. Strange... Perhaps she just looked younger than her true age. Either that or she’d been in boarding school for the past five years and married the day she turned eight and ten. That’s what probably happened. That would explain why Rebecca hadn’t been close to her daughter.

  Once the tub was filled with water, he stripped down and climbed inside. The heat from the water helped calm his tense muscles around his injury, and he sighed with pleasure. He visited Bath quite a bit for their refreshing, healing, spring waters, but until his next visit, hot baths in his tub were a must to ease the pain. The military surgeon told him that he’d always have pain in his left leg, and he’d certainly always walk with a limp.

  It had been a little over a year and he hadn’t gotten used to his disability. It was hard not to pity his life, but he knew if he didn’t look for the good things that life brought him, he would shrivel up and die.

  Closing his eyes, he concentrated on relaxing, and clearing his mind. Vicky’s memory loss made everything very complicated. He couldn’t blatantly lie to her, because when she finally regained her memory, she’d know he’d lied. And yet, trying to explain the situation to someone who didn’t remember her own mother was impossible.

  The only thing he could do was take things day by day...and pray for the best.

  Hopefully, she wouldn’t ask too many questions about her mother. He bit his bottom lip. He couldn’t possibly tell Vicky that he wasn’t in love with her mother. She would remember soon enough.

  A disturbing thought stuck in his mind. He sat up straight and blinked open his eyes. What if Vicky hadn’t forgiven him and had sinister plans running in her head? Then again, nothing was running through her mind now. However, she would eventually remember, and he’d be in big trouble.

  VICKY YAWNED AND STRETCHED her sore arms as a maid walked into the room carrying in a breakfast tray. Her muscles still cried out in pain, but she wouldn’t let it stop her from enjoying the morning. When she awoke, the bright sun streamed through the opened window, bringing with it a sense of cheerfulness that settled in her heart. However, the more she was awake, another sense ran amok through her that she didn’t understand. Urgency. Perhaps she was just anxious for her memory to return.

  At least that’s what she hoped.

  Major Baldwin strode into her room through the open door. When his gaze met hers, he smiled wide. Her heart skipped. He appeared much more refreshed this morning than he had yesterday. His dark hair was combed, and he wore a brown overcoat over a beige vest and white shirt. His trousers matched his vest, and his cravat matched his milky white shirt. He was the most handsome man she’d ever beheld. At least she thought he was.

  She struggled to sit up in bed. He quickened his step to her. Carefully, he took her arm and assisted. He stuffed pillows behind her to help keep her upright.

  “How are you feeling, Vicky?” he asked. “I believe you have more color in your face this morning.”

  “I’m still stiff and sore, but my headache isn’t as horrific as yesterday.”

  “That’s good to hear. You are on your way to recovering nicely.” He took the breakfast tray from the girl and placed it on Vicky’s lap. Fruit and poached eggs were on a plate, next to a slice of ham. The sweet scent of freshly made food wafted to her nose. Her stomach growled with anticipation.

  “This smells Heavenly,” she muttered as she picked up the slice of ham and took a bite. When her attention moved back to his, she noticed his cheerful smile had waned slightly. His focus moved between the meat in her hand and her mouth.

  Inwardly, she groaned. Where were her manners? Then again, she’d forgotten everything! And yet, deep down inside, she knew how utensils were necessary. “Forgive me,” she muttered as she placed the ham back on the plate and took her fork and knife. “I suppose I was so hungry, I didn’t think.”

  “No need to apologize, my dear. I’ve been half starved before, and I don’t think I used my fork during that time, either.”

  She chuckled as she cut a piece of her meat, but her arms were too weak. Apparently, the accident had sapped her strength as well as her memory.

  “Here, allow me.” The major took her knife and fork and finished cutting her meat.

  She picked up her spoon and tried to taste the grapefruit, but once again, she didn’t have the strength. Frowning, she sighed. “Apparently, I can’t even feed myself.”

  “That is to be expected.” He stabbed the fork into one of the pieces of ham and brought it to her mouth. “So allow me to assist you.”

  Embarrassment washed over her as she took the ham in her mouth. Her face heated. “I shouldn’t let you do this,” she muttered.

  “Nonsense. I’m happy to help.”

  One of the nice things about letting him feed her was being able to gaze into his remarkable gray eyes. Once again, she melted from his intense stare. She shouldn’t feel this way about him, especially since he was her employer. Unfortunately, she didn’t have anything else to think about.

  Silence lasted only a few more bites before she finally asked, “Do you mind if we talked about my mother?”

  His arm froze midway to her mouth as he brought her some fruit. His eyes widened as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. But in a split second, that expression was replaced with a smile that appeared more faux than real.

  “Not at all. We can talk about your mother.”

  “Have you informed her of my accident? Will she come soon to see me?”

  Taking a deep breath, he lowered the spoon back to the plate and he exhaled slowly. “I didn’t know how to tell you yesterday, but your mother has passed on. She’s been gone for nearly two months now.”

  Vicky waited for the sorrow to consume her, but just like yesterday when she wanted to mourn for her husband, she couldn’t feel it. She couldn’t even picture her mother’s face. What saddened her more than anything was not remembering her mother. “What was she like?”

  The major’s shoulders seem to relax. “She was a busy woman. If she wasn’t helping others in the community, she was giving to her own children. She loved her children dearly, and spoke of you often.” He lifted another spoonful of grapefruit to her mouth. “She was also a crafty businesswoman, and was very intelligent. She was always thinking up ways to increase her wealth. She cared about her servants and looked after them. Rebecca had a very kind heart.”

  “That was her name? Rebecca?” Vicky arched an eyebrow.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m happy to know everyone loved her.”

  “Indeed, they did. It was easy to love a woman like Rebecca.”

  Slowly, his smile faded as his attention drifted toward the window. For several moments, he didn’t speak as though he was lost in memories. She could tell he cared for her mother.

  “I wish I could remember her.” She frowned. “Do you have a painting of her?”

  He moved his gaze back to her. Lines marred his forehead as he nodded. “I believe I do.”

  He turned and instructed the maid who lingered to fetch the painting of Rebecca hanging in the wall in the sitting room. Although it excited her to see her mother, she also wanted a tour of his estate. If the bedroom looked this nice, she could only assume the rest of the rooms looked as resplendent.

  Nothing was said while they waited, but he continued to feed her. She shifted her position and studied the man who was her employer. A strange feeling of attraction pulled at her heart. At first, she thought her memory was trying to come through, but then she realized it was her body responding to his kindness. The few times his hand brushed her skin, her heart skipped with delight. His musky scent surrounded her, making her stomach flutter weakly.

  A lock of raven hair fell on his forehead and she fought the urge to push it back and blend it with the others. But out of all of his perfect attributes, his eyes fascinated her the most. When they looked upon her,
she sensed their tenderness, and when he smiled they sparkled like emeralds.

  When his gaze drifted to her nightdress, her heart hammered faster. She couldn’t remember things in her life, but for certain, it was not proper to have him in her room when she was dressed this way.

  Shifting in her bed, she pulled the bed sheets higher to cover her bosom.

  The girl rushed into the room. “Here’s the painting, Major Baldwin.”

  He took the frame from the girl and turned it to show Vicky. “This is your mother.”

  She gazed upon the lovely painting of an older woman with dark brown hair, and expressive eyes. The woman’s body was small like Vicky’s, but as she stared at the likeness, no familiarity struck her.

  “She’s a very handsome woman,” she commented.

  “Yes. Rebecca had a certain beauty and charm that delighted so many people.” He paused, and then added, “Now that her daughter is here, the sun’s rays will shine on you.” His fingers caressed her cheek softly.

  Heat consumed her face, nearly to an inferno. She knew that was very improper to say, and yet, he didn’t seem to think he’d spoken out of turn. So strange... He lowered his hand back to his lap.

  She smiled. “Thank you, but I’m afraid I don’t know what I look like.”

  “As incredible as it seems, I believe you.” He left the bed and picked up a hand mirror on the vanity table, then brought it to her. “Here, this will help.”

  She wrapped her fingers around the brass handle of the mirror and studied the fancy gold carvings with twinkling cuts of glass that decorated the back. She turned it over and gazed upon her reflection for the first time.

  The face that stared back seemed strangely familiar. Through the many abrasions, she saw an image of oval shape, wide green eyes, high cheekbones and a straight nose and full lips. Her complexion paled slightly due to her injury, and she was certain her long mass of dark brown hair stripped away the color.

  So, you are Vicky Hampton? She rolled the name over in her head a few times, but still nothing was sticking. Why couldn’t she remember her own name?

  She examined her reflection for a while longer. The only conclusion she came to during this time was that she didn’t resemble the painting of her mother as she had expected.

  Vicky set the mirror on her lap as she looked upon her mother’s picture again. “I suppose there is a slight resemblance.”

  “Indeed, there is a resemblance.”

  “I wish I had some memory.”

  “You will soon.”

  Relaxing against the pillows, she sighed heavily in defeat. At the rate she was going, she’d never remember her life or her mother.

  “Do you want to finish the last bite of your grapefruit?” he asked, holding up another spoonful.

  Her gaze shifted off the painting and rested upon him. “No, I’m full. I thank you for feeding me.”

  He gave the breakfast tray to the girl and then turned back to Vicky. He took one of her hands and held it loosely. “Don’t worry yourself, my dear. You shall be back to normal in no time. The doctor told me that you’ll regain your memory, but it’ll take time.”

  She nodded, keeping her gaze on his hand cradling hers so tenderly.

  “And let me tell you something else,” he said.

  She lifted her attention to his face. A teasing smile spread across his mouth. “If you keep your forehead crinkled with worry lines like that, you shall never have smooth skin.” He winked.

  It was hard not to smile at his banter. Twin dimples appeared in his cheeks when he teased. He was certainly an adorable man... A man she shouldn’t think as being adorable.

  “Ah, now there’s your smile.” He chuckled, and then lifted her hand to his lips and placed a small peck on the skin just above her wrist. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

  When his soft lips brushed her skin, shooting waves of heat spread throughout her body. She ignored the pounding in her head as her heart accelerated. Once again, she was shocked by his boldness. And yet, he acted as if the way he was treating her was normal.

  “No, I’ll be fine,” she told him.

  The major rearranged the blankets around her before leaving the room. Two things bothered her now. Of course, her memory would always be of utmost importance, but she wondered why she held such a strange attraction for a man she’d never met...and was to be her employer?

  Something was definitely not right about any of this.

  WHAT AM I DOING?

  Cole growled as he took the steps quickly, hobbling as best he could down the large staircase. Pouring on the charm would only last until she regained her memory, then she’d hate him more, he was certain. But he couldn’t help it. She was so weak and helpless...and also very lovely. He’d always had a weak spot for beautiful women.

  Rebecca had been a very lovely woman, even though she was much older than him. He was attracted to her beauty at first, but knew there could never be love between them. Their age difference had a lot to do with why he didn’t have those lovey-dovey feelings. He couldn’t stop thinking that she was about the same age as his mother.

  He walked outside and mounted his horse. Grumbling under his breath, he cursed the temperature. Lately, the weather had been extremely hot. He wiped the moisture off his forehead. Nonetheless, he needed to get back to work. It’d been over a week since he’d checked the lands, and now was certainly a good time to get back to his daily routine, especially if he didn’t want to worry about Victoria.

  After riding less than a mile into the fields where his horses were grazing, he scanned the area, looking for the field servants. Running a stud farm wasn’t easy, even though some of his servants seemed to think it was. But his prize winning horses needed extra care, especially if he wanted to sell them to the highest bidder.

  When he hadn’t seen any of his servants, his anger lifted. What was going on? Had they all decided to stay inside on this scorching day? That was unacceptable! Kicking his horse into a faster trot, he rode toward the servants cottages.

  Finally, he spotted a lone figure out in the fields standing next to one of the horses, stroking the animal’s mane. Cole pulled his horse to a quick stop. Sebastian, his overseer’s son, was a grown man by society’s standards. His six-foot, two-inch frame was overly large for his nineteen years, but his mental age was one of a twelve-year-old.

  Cole rode up and stopped beside Sebastian. “Might I have a moment?”

  The young man bowed and yanked off his hat. “Aye, Sir. How can I help ye?”

  “Where is everyone? I’ve ridden at least a mile and you’re the only one out here.”

  “Well, ye see, Sir, it’s so blasted hot that most have gone down by the stream to cool off, but some are up at the main house.”

  Cole lifted his eyebrows in curiosity. “They’re at the house? My house?”

  “Aye, Sir.”

  “What about your father? Where is he?”

  “Pa’s at the house, too.”

  Before Cole could ask why they’d be at the main house, a memory returned, practically slapping him across the face. Now he knew why they’d be at the main house.

  During the times he had come home for a visit while he was in the military, Rebecca made it a habit to throw lavish parties at least once a week. These events weren’t some of the normal parties that well-bred aristocrats would attend. Instead, her guests were the servants, whom she considered close friends. It was them and their associates who enjoyed coming to these gatherings and causing scandal.

  One servant in particular came to mind. Adora.

  Cole thought for certain these types of gatherings would have ceased after Rebecca died. Apparently not.

  “Sebastian, go collect the others by the stream and I’ll fetch your pa.”

  “But Sir?” he whined. “The others don’t like me telling them what to do.”

  Cole sighed irritably. He wiped the moisture off his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “Fine, so return to work and I’ll
fetch your pa.”

  He turned his horse around, kicked his steed into motion, and rode hell-bent back to the house. Each step closer to the lazy servants made him ready to explode.

  He reached the house and dismounted quickly, throwing his reins to the small servant boy who ran out to meet him. Marching into the house, the floors echoed with his thudding footsteps. He took three flights of stairs swiftly as if fire were on his heels. His leg ached, and he bit back the pain, continuing on his task. He kicked open the door to the first room he came to and stepped inside.

  FOUR

  Cole’s overseer jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair which bumped against the small, round table. The man’s face paled. Just as Cole expected, the overseer and three other servants—along with two women—were in the middle of a card game. Thankfully, all of the servants, except one, appeared embarrassed. She never had, and never would, feel ashamed of her actions.

  “Major Baldwin? Is there something wrong?” the overseer asked.

  Cole glared at the man. “Indeed, there is something wrong, Toppy. I’d like you to explain to me why you and these others thought it necessary to gamble in the middle of the day.”

  “Well, you see...” He removed his black hat and bunched it against his chest, “it was so hot outside today, and well...”

  “I don’t care if you can fry an egg on your head.” Cole’s glanced briefly at the bald spot on top of his servant’s head. “Collect the others and return posthaste to the fields. Those horses need to be exercised and fed or I won’t make money. And if I don’t make money, I cannot pay my servants. Do you understand the concept now, Toppy?”

  While Toppy quickly picked up his winnings off the table, Adora stood and sashayed her way toward Cole, wearing that sultry expression he’d seen so often on her. She stopped in front of him, standing entirely too close, which was her habit. Slowly, she ran her hand up his chest, and batted her eyes. His stomach churned.

  “What’s wrong, Cole, darlin’? You’ve never been this upset before.”