“You are a gift, my siren.”
She raised her head to look into his eyes. “You’ve called me that before. Do you remember?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know it just came to me.”
She snuggled back against him. Her heart pounded with the fear that he would regain his memory at any moment and she would lose him. Would he be so angry at her deception that he would throw away all they had shared this week? Should she confess now and take the consequences? She lay a hand against his heart, the steady beat soothing. She just needed to figure out the best way to tell him the truth. Sooner rather than later. They couldn’t stay hidden here at the manor forever. What she needed was a plan.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Mr. Marlow enteredthe drawing room his arms full of peonies. “I thought I might find you two in front of the chessboard.”
Susanna smiled at him. “Those are lovely. Where did you pick them?”
“I didn’t. I bought them from a vendor in town. I needed to pick up the post and when I arrived in Weymouth I realized that the midsummer fair had begun. There are stalls of every kind set up in the main square. I saw these and thought you might enjoy them, my fair lady.” He presented the flowers to her with a flourish.
“Thank you, kind sir.” She buried her nose in the blooms.
Miles chuckled. “I see your admirers are many.”
“Every beautiful woman should have several admirers so that her husband realizes exactly how lucky he is she has chosen him.” He gave her a broad wink. “I’ll ring for Mrs. Hobbs so that we might get these in water for you.”
“Mr. Marlow, did you see if the circus was in town?”
“Yes, indeed I did see them set up at the edge of town by the water.”
She turned to Miles. “We should go visit the fair today. Do you remember how I told you that I have been learning how to do tricks on horseback?”
Mr. Marlow raised an eyebrow.
“Privately, of course. My instructor, Colonel Hadley and his wife are friends of mine. I would dearly like to see them. This might be an opportunity for you to be exposed to more things that might spark your memory as well.”
Miles squeezed her hand. “Whatever you wish. It sounds diverting.”
An hour later they were in Mr. Marlow’s borrowed jig and on their way to the town of Weymouth, which sat right on the water’s edge by the bay. Rows of narrow, colorful homes lined the main street. She turned down Harbor Street as Mr. Marlow had instructed and found the local stables. From there it was a short walk back to the main thoroughfare.
She glanced over at Miles. He wore his hat and gloves. Earlier he had asked Mr. Marlow to show him how to tie a simple knot for his cravat. He looked like himself again except for the scruff on his face and that he kept running a finger under the edge of the cravat by his Adam’s apple.
“I don’t know why men put up with this blasted contraption. Why should I wear something that’s purpose is to strangle me to death?”
She giggled. “We all must conform to society’s whims. You are always dressed to the nines. Your valet would swoon if he saw your beard.”
Miles rubbed a hand over his chin. “I don’t trust myself to shave it. Besides, it’s growing on me.” He guffawed at his own joke.
Susanna rolled her eyes. “Come on, you. I think you should stick to being a serious fellow. Humor is clearly not your forte.”
They strolled through the stalls. She admired the bonnets at one. “Look at this one with the silk butterflies. It’s beautiful.”
“Why don’t you get it?”
“No, I think we should conserve our funds until you get home. The brigands stole your purse during the robbery. Luckily mine was in a hidden pocket of my skirts.”
Miles frowned. “I didn’t even think about whether I had coin on me when we left the house.”
“It’s all right. I like taking care of you.” She patted his cheek.
When they got to the end of the street, she spotted the circus ring. But the carts and horses were parked a distance across a field. “I wonder what time they perform?”
“Perhaps we should find some food first?” Miles said.
