Meet me at one o’clock at the abandoned cottage on Oak Lane road. Your dearest admirer, Collin.
She licked her dry lips and quickly folded the paper. When she met Simon’s gaze, she tried not to feel guilty. Would he have known what it said? And yet, it was sealed, so perhaps he didn’t know.
“Thank you, Simon.”
“I beg you, Adeline,” he touched her forearm, “don’t do this. Being seen with Lord Hanover or his friend, Lord Kentwood, will ruin your reputation.”
Sadness lurked in his eyes, and her gut twisted. “Simon, do you know what is in this note?”
He shook his head. “I can only assume that what’s written in there is not good and will eventually bring you heartache.”
She wanted to inform him that this was not his business, but he’d been like an older brother to her, and she didn’t want to lose his friendship. “Simon,” she took hold of his hand, “I know what I’m doing. And everything will turn out as it should, I assure you.”
His frown deepened and he nodded. “But when it doesn’t, do not hesitate to find me. Because I will be the only one with a caring shoulder for you to cry on.”
She wished her dear friend would not try to dissuade her, and she didn’t know how to convince him otherwise. “Everything will be fine.” She squeezed his hand.
He turned and walked away. Her heart wrenched. But she knew there was nothing to worry about. Her plans were going in the direction she had hoped, and she must believe that everything else would fall right into place.
Sighing heavily, she turned back toward the chickens... and then gasped when she saw Olivia standing nearby. Her sister’s freckled nose was crinkled as much as her forehead. Olivia’s arms were folded smartly across her chest.
“May I ask what that was all about?” Olivia asked.
“No, you may not.” Adeline dipped her hand into the sack of feed and sprinkled it on the ground for the chickens.
“Why was Simon here?” Olivia pestered.
Adeline had already planned on saying something to her sister, but she couldn’t let her sister know this was in her plan, too. “He was making a delivery.”
Olivia’s gaze jumped between Adeline and the direction Simon had gone. Adeline could see the wheels turning inside her sister’s mind as she tried piecing the mystery together.
“He gave you a letter,” Olivia stated. It only took seconds for her eyes to widen. “And he was hired by the lords as their driver last night.”
Since Olivia was too young to attend their aunt’s masked ball last night, Adeline could only assume Ma had mentioned it to the younger sister.
Suddenly, Olivia’s cheeks brightened with color and her eyes widened. “Oh, Adeline... one of the lords sent you that letter. It’s Lord Hanover, isn’t it?”
Adeline’s smile stretched as she gave the chickens another handful of feed from the sack. She knew her sister would eventually figure it out. “I’m not saying.”
“It was!” Olivia yanked on Adeline’s sleeve. “And he wants to meet you somewhere, doesn’t he?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Liv.” Adeline shook her head, but her smile grew.
“I am right!” Olivia moved in front of Adeline, stopping her from moving away. “You must tell me everything.”
“No, I must not.”
“Oh, please. I’m your only sister. We share everything, and I know you’re dying to tell me something.”
Adeline held back a laugh. Her sister knew her well. “Let me just say that at one o’clock this afternoon, I plan on making my dreams come true.”
Olivia gasped. “You’re eloping?”
“Of course, not. That’s too scandalous.”
Olivia sighed. “Thank goodness for that. I mean, our father has ruined our family name, but if one of us were to elope, that would only make things worse.”
“Then rest assured, I don’t plan on running off to Gretna Green.”
A teasing grin crossed Olivia’s face. “However, you do plan on meeting the lord, correct?”
“Perhaps.” Adeline shrugged and moved past her sister.
“Where are you going to meet him?”
Adeline kept quiet, giving her sister time to think. The chickens around Adeline’s feet squawked for more food, so she tossed them another handful of feed. When Olivia gasped again, louder this time, Adeline knew her sister had figured things out.
“Not the Griffith’s old cottage.”
Adeline peeked over her shoulder at her sister and grinned.
“Oh, dear.” Olivia scurried back around in front of Adeline. “But what if you’re caught?”
“Why would we get caught? The place has been abandoned for years.”
Olivia’s stare narrowed suspiciously. “Unless you are hoping to get caught...”
Adeline’s cheeks grew warm. She quickly pushed past her sister again as she continued to feed the chickens. “Don’t be ridiculous. Pa will never know.”
She didn’t have to look at her sister to know that the younger girl’s mind was spinning with ideas again. But this was exactly what Adeline hoped for. She prayed the stage had been set for her grand finale.
Soon, Olivia disappeared, which gave Adeline time to ready herself for her secret meeting with Collin. She changed into another gown and brushed her hair out of the coil it had been in this morning. There was no need to pinch her cheeks to bring more color since they were pink enough already, due to the excitement shooting through her.
She crept to the stable and saddled one of the horses before mounting and taking off. She knew her brothers or her mother wouldn’t ask questions. Adeline had gone to the market place many times without telling anyone. So she hoped they would think this was just part of her daily schedule.
The closer she came to the abandoned cottage, the harder her body shook. Doubt tried to sneak into her mind, but she quickly ushered it out. Collin had admitted to being a rogue, but she’d found the tender, caring man underneath his disguise. He would make her happy, and she’d do all she could to make him feel the same way.
She tethered her horse to a tree and slowly walked into the cottage. Collin must not be here yet, since she hadn’t noticed his horse in the yard. But still, the prickles of awareness crawling up her arms and her back let her know that someone was here.
“Is someone here?” she asked with a shaky voice.
She moved from one room to the next, peeking inside. Her ears sharpened their senses as well, but she couldn’t hear anything except for her ragged breaths.
“Collin? Are you here?”
After checking every room on the bottom floor, she climbed the stairs to the top floor. Dust coated the banister and rubbed off on her gown. When she reached the top, she brushed off the dirt.
“Collin?” she asked, moving toward the first bedroom.
Just as she entered, the floor squeaked. Seconds later, out of the corner of her eye, there was a flash of someone rushing toward her. She turned quickly just as two strong hands clasped her upper arms. And when she stared into the eyes of a man who was not Collin, her heart sank. Panic tightened her chest.
“Lord Kentwood?” she gasped.
The evil glint of his eyes, and the overpowering stench of alcohol, warned her that things were not going as planned.
“Ah, Miss Featherstone. Your timing couldn’t be more impeccable.”
“Wh – what are you doing here?”
“I should ask you that question.”
She wasn’t about to tell him. However, she was certain he’d heard her calling out Collin’s name. “But... I asked first.”
He chuckled. “If you must know, my main purpose is to save my friend from a fate worse than death.” His fingers tightened around her upper arms. “Hanover does not want to be trapped into any kind of marriage, which is why I’m here. And I plan to make certain he gets his wish.”
“What are you talking about?” Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as dread filled her.
“Do you think
Hanover is a simpleton, Miss Featherstone? I assure you, neither of us are, and we saw your plan when we first met your family.” He shook his head. “Rest assured, we will not let you win.”
“What... are you going to do?” After the words were out, she realized she already knew the answer.
As he dragged her toward the bed, tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision. He was stronger than she’d anticipated for someone so inebriated. For the first time since she met the lords, she prayed her plans would not turn out. Being caught with Lord Kentwood would be worse than living in hell!
TEN
Back to the present
Adeline’s chest ached with the emotions she held back. Throwing accusations at Collin while he had no memory would be futile. His blank expression told her that his memory still hadn’t returned. He had asked how they met, and she gave him short, inane answers. She didn’t mention Lloyd much, and only referred to him as Collin’s friend. That was another chapter in her past she didn’t want to talk about. Remembering every detail about her life since meeting Collin and Lloyd was difficult enough, and to speak about it would break her heart that much more.
She stared at the empty plates on the tray that Mrs. Pettingill had brought in for Collin. Perhaps Adeline should take the tray back to the kitchen. At least that would give her an excuse to leave.
“We have known each other for a little over a year?” Collin asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I assume you are an important part of my life.”
She wanted to laugh out loud, and she struggled not to smirk. “I highly doubt that, my lord.”
“Am I an important part of your life?”
Feeling very uncomfortable with these questions, she stood and moved to collect the tray, but Collin touched her arm, stopping her.
“Lady Kentwood,” Collin asked. “It’s not my intension to upset you, but I need to know just one more thing.”
Adeline really didn’t want to tell him anything else. Remembering those days from her past had drained her. “What is it that you want to know?” She moved toward the tray and started stacking the plates.
“Are we happy with our lives?”
She paused as she studied his handsome face. What was he talking about... we? “I don’t quite understand your question, my lord. I suppose I’m happy enough now, but I cannot possibly know if you are happy.” She shrugged.
He released a small chuckle and shook his head. “No, I mean... are we happily married?”
Married! Her hands shook and the plates knocked together. The tray slipped in her hands, but she quickly righted it before everything dumped on his lap. She carefully set it back down on the night stand.
“My lord, let me get one thing perfectly clear. We are not married, and we never will be,” she blurted out. “I married your distant cousin.”
His forehead creased. “Then why do we share the same title?”
“Because your cousin – my husband – died, and you were the next heir.”
He scrubbed his chin as confusion remained on his expression. “But from those memories you shared with me about our first meeting, I assumed we had fallen in love and married.”
Heat exploded in her face. She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or anger. “Yes, one would assume such a thing from knowing our past. However, that’s not what happened. You didn’t want that to happen.”
Emotion choked her throat, and she couldn’t say anymore. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to cry. Hadn’t she shed enough tears for him as it was?
She grasped the tray and hurried out of the room before he could ask anything more. It was too soon to speak now. Because she would not permit herself to cry in front of him ever again.
COLLIN DARED LEAVE his bed bright and early the next morning. The throbbing in his skull had lessened, but his confused mind wouldn’t let him rest another moment. Off and on throughout the night, his memories opened up. He now remembered his family, and his cousin, Lloyd Kentwood. Collin’s heart wrenched when he thought about his dear friend’s demise. Collin had known Lloyd’s drinking would eventually be the death of him.
Other memories made their presence, as well. He remembered meeting Addie – the nickname he’d called her. My sweet Addie. He also recalled how his heart had burst inside of him during their very first kiss in the thicket of trees. She’d been so incredibly lovely that night wearing a red and black gown, and her matching mask. It had thrilled him the way she wanted to learn about passion.
Of course, by now she would have learned all of that from his cousin, Lloyd. The one thing Collin did remember about his cousin was how the man loved women – and in turn, the women loved his attentions. Lloyd knew how to use his words to charm them into his arms. There were several times Collin had wished he had his cousin’s talent for wooing the ladies.
Collin pulled on his trousers and shirt, but that was all. He knew he’d be back in bed later this morning since he still felt weak. But right now, he needed to see the manor in hopes that his memory would completely return.
The corridors were empty as he moved from one floor to the next until he reached the bottom floor. There was a music room with a shiny pianoforte, and immediately, he recalled how he loved to play. Although the urge was strong to do so now, he put it aside until he had eaten something.
The scent of scones and – he inhaled deeply – ham. He smiled, happy to remember the scent of that delectable meat. But the heavenly scents of breakfast lured him toward the dining room. His stomach grumbled, making him hurry.
The woman named Pettingill was the first servant he saw. Her eyes widened and she hitched a breath when she noticed him.
“My lord, you should not be up.” She hurried over to him as though to help him, but she must have changed her mind because her hands dropped to her sides.
“I feel well enough to be up, I assure you. However, I am quite hungry.”
“I will fix you a tray and bring it right up to your room.”
He shook his head. “I would like to eat right here in the dining room.” He pulled out a chair and sat.
“As you wish, my lord.” The older woman turned around and hurried into the kitchen, causing the brownish-gray bun at the back of her head to bounce.
He didn’t have to wait long before his breakfast was in front of him, and he was filling his belly with the delicious food. As he ate, he glanced around the room and out into the hallway. Nothing looked remotely familiar, which told him that he probably hadn’t visited his cousin when he lived here, or Addie had redecorated the manor.
Addie... He sighed heavily and frowned. What had happened to them? That particular memory hadn’t returned, but he couldn’t figure out why he’d had such feelings of love for her, only for her to turn around and marry his cousin. And she had told Collin it was because he hadn’t wanted them to marry.
He gently touched his bandaged head. When would he remember that part of his life? Hopefully, soon. He couldn’t stand not knowing why Addie appeared so heartbroken when she looked at him. And was this really all his fault as she’d implied? What could possibly make him not want to marry her when he had such strong feelings for her in such a small amount of time?
Mrs. Pettingill entered the dining room again, carrying the tea. She placed it on the table.
“Would you like some tea, my lord?”
“Yes, please.”
As she poured, she peeked at him a few times, but as she handed him the cup, her smile grew wider.
“I must say, Lord Kentwood, that the staff here is very happy that you are doing better. And we hope you plan on staying here longer.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. Pettingill. I would like to stay longer and recuperate from my injury.”
“You are most welcome to stay longer, if that is your wish. Most of us remember you when you had come to visit your cousin. Of course, that was several years ago. You were much younger.”
“So, I have been here before?”
“Ind
eed, my lord.”
He smiled. “Then I hope to remember those days soon.”
“I’m sure you will.”
As she left the room, it made his heart glad to know these people welcomed him. But there was one heart he needed to change. Addie’s. Whatever he had done to her, he would fix. His heart still remembered those early days with her, and he must use that to guide him in the direction on how to soften her heart so that she loved him once again.
When he finished eating, he left the dining room. The rumbling of thunder outside drew him to the nearest window. Dark clouds covered the sky in a thick blanket and rain fell in buckets. The wind made it appear as though the rain speared sideways from Heaven.
The rhythm of the rain hitting the windows lulled him in a dreamlike daze. The wet grass and trees became blurred as his mind opened and another memory entered...
IT WAS A DREARY DAY, just as this one, when he was in Bath at the inn where he and Lloyd had been staying. His cousin had been suspiciously absent most of the afternoon, so Collin had joined a card game with three other gentlemen in one of the other rooms near the lobby. Content with his winnings, he waited for the storm to pass so he could ride out and visit with his sweet Addie and her family.
From out in the main hall, the slamming of the front door jerked Collin’s attention toward the open door. Even the other men around the table turned their heads to see who was stomping toward the staircase. When the drenched figure of Kentwood passed by the room, Collin gasped in surprise. He excused himself from the game, collected his winnings, and quickly rushed after his friend. Collin caught up to Lloyd as he stood in front of his room, trying to open the door. By the way Kentwood swayed, Collin could tell his friend was foxed, yet again.
Just before he reached Kentwood, his friend stumbled and his head bumped into the door. Collin grasped his friend’s arm, keeping him upright.
“Here, let me open that door for you.” Collin took the key away from Kentwood and opened the door. He helped Lloyd into the room and to his bed. Kentwood fell on his mattress and groaned.
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