Hugh didn’t either. He would have to check his home. He turned to Adele. “Please do allow me to repay the countess for the clothes she bought me as well.”
“That is not necessary,” said Adele.
Hugh turned to his friends. “Am I wealthy?”
“Yes, substantially,” said Lark. “A lot of it is family money, but you have a good head for business and have made some profitable investments the last few years.”
“Then I shall pay the countess for her hospitality.”
Adele nodded slightly.
“Perhaps I should move home tomorrow,” said Hugh.
“Your mother would appreciate that,” said Lark. “I will let her know so she can ensure your rooms are ready.”
“I live with my mother?”
“She stays at your London home when she is in town,” said Lark. “She lives primarily at your estate in Surrey, but she likes to be in London for at least part of the Season. She has not been to many events in the last few weeks. I worried she was in ill health, but she looked to be in fine form when I called on her this morning.”
“All right,” said Hugh.
“Where is the Countess of Sweeney?” asked Dr. Willis.
“She said she felt too tired to socialize,” said Adele. “We managed to get her out for a short walk around the garden yesterday, but that seems to have worn her out.”
“I will check in on her before I take my leave,” said Dr. Willis. “I am encouraged by His Grace’s progress, however. Memory aside, how do you feel?”
“The headache is gone, but I still feel dizzy sometimes,” said Hugh, which was true. His head hadn’t bothered him much in the last day or two, but once or twice a day, he was struck quite suddenly with a wave of dizziness.
“That may last a bit longer,” said the doctor. “Head injuries can be unpredictable.”
“I’ll say.”
“All right,” said Lark. “I’ll bring the Swynford coach round tomorrow to collect you and we will move you back home.”
Adele stood quite suddenly. “Excuse me a moment.” Then she left the room.
Hugh hesitated to go after her because he didn’t want his friends to know he was so smitten with her, but then he realized that was his old self thinking. One thought he hadn’t been able to escape since he’d learned his identity was that this was a new opportunity to take his life in a different direction. His mother and various family reputations were things he’d have to deal with at a later date, but he wanted Adele at his side.
“I’ll go check on her,” said Hugh.
*
Across the hallfrom the gold salon was a dusty music room no one used anymore. The countess had been quite talented at the piano once upon a time but had not played in years. Old bedsheets had been thrown over the grand piano at the center of the room, but there was no disguising what it was.
Adele stared at it now from her perch on a threadbare upholstered bench at the side of the room. She had excused herself because she felt tears burning her eyes, and she felt like a lovesick child now as she wiped at her eyes and tried to school her features.
When the door opened, she turned away, guessing it was Hugh and not willing to let him see her cry.
“What’s wrong, Adele?” he asked.
“You are leaving tomorrow,” she said.
“You said I should.”
“Because I care about you and want you to recover your memories, not because I want you to leave.”
Hugh came to her side and put an arm around her. “I want to go home, but I do not want to leave you. You could come with me.”
