by Jane Charles
“When can we return to London?” the other woman asked.
“Jillian, my wife just arrived,” Tristan answered. “I need a moment to figure everything out.”
“Yes, well, this wife wishes to return to her father.”
“Your wife?” Harrison’s shocked question reverberated throughout the parlor. Hadn’t he known? As Tristan’s brother, shouldn’t he have been aware of the marriage?
Elaina blinked at the other woman who was quite lovely with her golden hair and cool blue eyes. Elaina had been presumed dead for three years and her husband was approximately thirty, and since he was a Marquess, he needed an heir so it really shouldn’t be a surprise that he would marry. She certainly didn’t begrudge him for moving on with his life. She’d been about to do the same.
“How long have you been married?” Elaina found herself asking.
“Not long at all,” Jillian answered. “Not even a month, and thankfully, it’s not a true marriage or I’d never forgive him.” She shot daggers at Tristan, then notched her chin and strode off to a chamber and slammed the door behind her.
Oh dear, Elaina hoped that it wasn’t a love match because her arrival had just ruined everything.
And, what did Jillian mean by it not being a real marriage. How could something such as that be false?
Instead of going after his other wife, Tristan remained with Elaina. “Where were you? What happened? Where have you been all of this time?”
Elaina would like to explain, but she was overcome with exhaustion. First from sailing, then nerves over meeting her supposed family, and now, it was nearly too much.
Instead of answering, she looked to Harrison, hoping he’d understand her need for rest.
He nodded, sympathy in his green eyes. “It’s been trying for Elaina, Tristan. She should rest.”
Tristan stood. “Of course. I’ll see about a room…” he answered absently.
“She can have ours,” the woman who had answered the door, offered. “My husband will see to another.”
“That is not necessary,” Elaina found herself saying.
“Yes, it is. You should be surrounded by family at a time like this. Ours is right next door. Another room may be in another part of the inn.”
Being so far away might be preferable to this close, but as Elaina wasn’t in a position to insist upon anything, she followed the woman from the parlor. Once they gained the new chamber, Elaina sank down on the bed.
“I am very glad you’ve returned to us,” the woman said.
“Thank you.” Elaina hated not knowing who anyone was. “Might I have your name?”
She smiled softly. “Sophia. Tristan is my older brother, which makes you my sister-in-law.”
“Sophia.” Elaina had hoped that by saying the name, some familiarity would come to her, but it didn’t.
“We hadn’t seen each other in a number of years, so I can understand why you might not remember me. Hopefully, your memories will return once you spend more time with the others.”
Chapter 8
As soon as Sophia took Elaina from the room, Tristan followed Jillian into the chamber that she’d taken for herself, not certain what he’d find. Instead of a tearful wife, she was directing her maid in the packing of her trunks.
“The day is still early, and I’d like to be on the road to London as soon as possible,” Jillian informed Tristan.
“I can’t leave so soon. Elaina…”
“Yes, your wife has returned, and you wish to be with her.” Jillian dismissed with a wave of her hand and turned her back. “You will have a life with her once I’m gone and the sooner you return me to Father, the quicker you can be reunited.”
“I promise, had I thought it possible…”
Jillian blew out a sigh. “Perhaps you did, or at least held out hope, or you wouldn’t have been forced to declare her dead.”
Tristan had no argument. He’d not been able to let Elaina go. Even after he’d seen to having her declared dead, he’d not been able to set her aside in his heart and used every excuse to put off making the marriage to Jillian true. At least Jillian was still innocent in that their marriage had not been consummated.
Thank goodness Jillian remained a virgin and the marriage a secret. Now all Tristan had to do was return her to her father, explain, and it would be as if nothing had happened. If there was any certainty in this situation, it was that the Duke of Eldridge would make the marriage go away and any evidence would disappear. The duke had that much power.
It might sound simple, yet Tristan knew that there would still be a price to pay.
However, he couldn’t worry about that now. “We’ll leave for London when I’m ready and determine when it is best.”
Jillian crossed her arms over her breast. “We will return today. You owe me that at least. Especially after abandoning me in Portsmouth to help your brother.”
“I did not abandon you. You are the one who wished to remain here and not travel to Wyndhill Park.”
Further, he’d like to remind Jillian that he owed her nothing. Had she not followed him into the gardens then thrown herself at him, only to be caught by her father, they wouldn’t be married in the first place and he’d be quite free to be reunited with his very much alive wife. Had it not been because of Jillian, Elaina wouldn’t even be considered dead by the courts, which was another matter that he’d need to see to, when he returned Jillian to London.
“If we do not begin our journey to London today, I will write to my father. I assume you don’t want him to act before you can explain.”
The threat was not taken lightly. Tristan didn’t trust His Grace, and the man could still ruin Tristan and his entire family.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Tristan left her then, not eager to give in to Jillian’s demands, but knowing that he must. But first, he must speak with his family, as he couldn’t just abandon Elaina as soon as she arrived. It just wasn’t possible to be in two places at once.
“How did you find her?” Tristan demanded of Harrison. “Where was she and what happened to her?”
Harrison sighed and took a seat.
Jamie, the youngest brother, pressed a glass into Tristan’s hand. “I think you are going to need this. I know I will.” Then he began to pour himself a glass of whisky.
Harrison first explained how he’d come across Elaina when he attended a dinner party to be held by a new business partner, Clive Abbott, and how Elaina had fainted when she was told who she was.
“She truly has no memory?” Tristan questioned.
“She only knows that her name is Elaina and that is only because of Brendan Boyle.”
“Who is Brendan Boyle?” Sophia asked.
“He worked in the galley on the merchant ship. He didn’t know any of the passengers and kept to himself. When questioned, Brandan only knew her name because I had yelled it over the storm right before the waves took Elaina over the side.” Harrison shook his head. “Brendan was taken with her, but he was able to hold onto her and grasped a piece of wood that kept them afloat until they reached the shores of Alderney. Had I seen him do so, I would have searched harder, but they’d disappeared in the waves and darkness.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Sophia insisted.
“How could this Brendan not know that she was a Trent and related to you?” Jamie asked.
“We kept Elaina, the servants and the children sequestered from the rest of the crew. It was a merchant vessel, remember, not a passenger ship. He had no way of knowing who the passengers were because we wished to protect the women,” Harrison explained.
“She lost her memory and for three years has remembered nothing?” Maxwell asked as if he couldn’t believe that it had happened.
Tristan wasn’t certain if he was more shocked at Elaina’s return or the fact that she didn’t remember him.
“The doctor had hoped that she’d regain her past as she recovered and attributed the loss of memory to being struck on th
e head, but as time passed and she didn’t recall, they assumed that she might never remember.”
“Never?” Tristan asked. Would he remain a stranger to her, until they came to know one another again?
“Dr. Webber was very concerned with me telling her anything. After all, she had fainted when I informed her that she was married and had a title.”
“It must have come as a shock after three years,” Sophia offered.
“He is concerned for her sanity and how Elaina might adjust to these sudden changes,” Harrison cautioned. “He insisted that it was best if she came to her memories on her own.”
“If she doesn’t?” Tristan asked.
“We are to give her time. Allow the mind to sift through the past as she comes face to face with what should be familiar. We can tell her names, who we are, and our relation to her, but only so much.”
“Why did you keep me from mentioning the children?” Tristan asked.
“Dr. Webber believes that Elaina should be given no information until she is face to face with someone from the past. To tell her ahead of time might cause discomfort or an anxious state as she worries if she will know a person before she sees them. Learning that Elaina has two small children that she’s forgotten before she has met them could be far more harmful to her mind.”
“Perhaps we should take Elaina back to the estate while you accompany Lady Jillian to London,” Gideon offered.
Blast! Tristan didn’t want to leave Elaina now, especially since she didn’t know any of them, but he couldn’t keep Lady Jillian waiting. Besides, if he didn’t take Jillian back, she’d go on her own and who know what the Duke of Eldridge would do without Tristan there to explain.
“I don’t wish for Elaina to meet the children without me.”
“Then what do you propose we do?” Sophia asked. “Wait here until you return?”
That wasn’t an option either. Elaina needed to start regaining her memory and that couldn’t be done in an unfamiliar inn in Portsmouth. However, she did have other family.
“Harrison, take her to Garretson. He is her brother. Wyndhill Park is where she was raised. Maybe she’ll begin to remember there.”
It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it gave Tristan time to see to the situation with Jillian before he took his wife, real wife, Elaina, home. “While I’m in London, I’ll also find the best medical professional who is an expert on the mind and seek his advice. I might even be able to convince him to return with me.” Some of the best physicians were in London. Certainly, there was one who would know how to treat Elaina and bring her back to him.
“Or, perhaps Xavier can be of assistance,” Jamie offered.
Xavier Sinclair was Elaina’s younger brother who resided at Wyndhill Park and was also a physician.
As much as Tristan hated to leave his wife for even a short time, at least he knew that she’d be with those who cared for and loved her and hopefully, by the time he returned, she’d remember who he was and how much they’d once loved one another.
Elaine tried not to hold her breath as the carriage turned down the long drive and almost needed to force herself to breathe as anxiety mounted. It wasn’t that she feared where she was going, it was not knowing what to expect.
Yesterday, Tristan and Lady Jillian had returned to London. This morning she’d left Portsmouth with Harrison to travel to an unnamed estate. He wouldn’t tell her anything further but suggested that it may be known to her. Meanwhile, her husband’s remaining siblings returned to Cornwall without her, as it was Tristan’s wish to be the one to take her home when it was time.
Oh, this was all so frustrating.
“Are you certain whoever is in residence knows we are coming?” Eliana hated that she’d show up as a surprise to anyone. Yesterday had been difficult enough, and she hated for anyone else to be caught unawares. Further, she didn’t appreciate being looked at as if she was a ghost back from the dead.
“Jamie left yesterday, at the same time as Tristan, to bring the news.”
The carriage came to a stop and as Elaina willed her pulse and heart to settle, a footman opened the door and set the step. With one last breath, she stepped out onto the drive and looked up at the three story, red brick manor. Slowly Elaina turned, taking in the south lawn and stream beyond. A covered walking bridge connected the land on either side of the water. To the north were the forests. The manor faced west, but formal gardens had been planted. No memories rushed her brain, but a familiarity settled into her heart. She’d been here before. And, she’d been happy.
If only she could recall when that had been, or who she’d been with. But, just experiencing the emotion finally gave her hope that her past may not be entirely lost.
As Harrison joined her, he offered his arm to escort her to the wide door, which opened before they could reach it. A butler stood just inside. “We are happy for your return, Lady Hopkins,” he offered with a bow. “The gentlemen are in the blue and gold parlor.”
Gentlemen? What gentlemen and who were they to her?
Oh, why wouldn’t anyone give her a name?
Further, where was the blue and gold parlor?
Was this a test?
Perhaps it was, because the moment she stepped inside, Elaina knew the home and where every room was located. She had no memories of the place but knew instinctively that the blue and gold parlor was two doors off the corridor and walked in that direction.
Why did she know this? How much time had she spent at this manor?
As she neared the open door, again Elaina took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Lounging against the mantel of the fireplace was a tall gentleman with blue eyes and auburn hair. She knew him. Not his name, but her heart warmed.
Beside a long window stood another gentleman with blonde hair. He studied her, almost as if she were a specimen under a microscope, yet he was familiar as well and Elaina felt no animosity toward his perusal of her because besides his watching her with caution, there was a deep caring, concern, in his green eyes.
On the settee was a gentleman with a lighter color of auburn hair with golden highlights, and he had kind green eyes. He shifted and held on to a cane, studying her as if waiting for recognition.
In a corner chair sat another gentleman, a pair of spectacles balanced on the bridge of his nose and a book open in his lap. He watched her over the rims but had a studious look about his blue eyes. Or, perhaps she assumed he was studious because of the book.
Lastly was the youngest who sat opposite the settee and watched with humor in his green eyes, as if he found this entire experiment entertaining.
Was it an experiment? Is that how the five in the room viewed this venture? And how did she know who was the youngest?
The five were brothers. Not that she knew this for certain, but they looked as if they belonged to the same family.
Elaina glanced about the room, trying to recall who they were and why she experienced such a familiarity to this place, to the brothers, and then she glanced the portrait above the fireplace and her heart hitched. She was a beautiful woman with luxurious auburn hair and laughing green eyes. Love, loss and mourning swept through Elaina in an instant and she knew exactly who the woman was. “Mother.”
Chapter 9
Jillian had not spoken to Tristan since they left Portsmouth. Her silence had so far lasted over twenty-four hours and they still had a full day of travel. Did she intend to ignore his presence all the way to London? If she wasn’t reading, she was looking out the carriage window, as if he wasn’t even present. The same could be said when they stopped to dine at the coaching inns.
He knew she was angry. Who wouldn’t be in her situation, but their marriage was also a secret and as long as it remained as such, her future husband would never know that Jillian had been married once before.
However, this silence couldn’t continue. They must come to terms with the situation and decide how His Grace was to be told.
“Jillian, if I had any ide
a that Elaina was still alive…I’m sorry.”
She did deserve an apology, not that any of this was his fault. Jillian had instigated the marriage in the first place.
“How could you have known? How could any of us? This isn’t your fault, Tristan.”
“Then why are you so quiet, treating me as if I’m not here.”
For a moment she closed her eyes, then blew out a little breath. “If you must know, I’m preparing to see Father.”
Preparing to see her father? “Surely even he will understand. Nobody could have foreseen these circumstances.”
A sad smile pulled at her bow lips. “Father will only see that I failed once again to marry a peer. Further, when he learns that we never had a real marriage, the fault will be mine.”
Tristan frowned. “That is not your fault.”
She snorted. “Father will see that you cared more for your brother than bedding me. Regardless of the circumstances, it will be me who failed again.”
“I’ll make him understand.”
“It will do you no good. Father is very particular in his beliefs and when I fail in my duty, it is because of me and nothing else.”
Tristan knew His Grace was the most unpleasant peer in London, but to blame his daughter for everything that had transpired was ridiculous. None of it was in her control with the exception of how it all began.
“I should ask your forgiveness as well,” she said after a moment.
Tristan just raised an eyebrow in question, wondering what she believed she should apologize for.
“Father is the one who chose you to be my husband, not I.”
This is not what he’d expected to hear. “Why?”
“You are a widower with two children and were in need of a wife. Further, you live far away in Cornwall. As your wife and stepmother to your children, he believed I’d finally be settled, and he’d not need to be bothered again and that I’d be your problem.”