“It would be my pleasure.” Alaric had never felt the truth of those words more, or if he had, he could not remember them.
With a sense of triumph filling his chest, Alaric fell into step beside his wife. The smell of lavender wafted over him again, and for the first time since his accident, Alaric realized he was quite grateful for the changes it had brought to his senses.
CHAPTER 5
“The kitchens are just down that corridor. If you ever find yourself lost, you can follow the paintings of food, and that will steer you in the right direction.” Alaric pointed to a door a little way down the hall.
“Paintings of food?” Catherine looked around and realized they had passed several portraits with food items.
Alaric nodded. “I am told such things should help jog my memory. And I got fed up with never being able to find anything. If you follow the books, you will find a library. And the stars will lead you to the ballroom.”
“Why stars?” Catherine glanced down at the small stars carved into the wooden paneling.
“It seemed fitting at the time.” Alaric ran a hand through his hair. “For some reason, stars and dancing seem to mingle in my mind. And they are easier to carve than musical instruments.”
Catherine shook her head, but part of her could see the logic. She followed the gesture of his hands as he reached across her and ran a finger along the carved star. She tried to ignore the way her heart fluttered in her chest as his fingers brushed against her skin while he pointed.
“Well, they are carved into the wood now,” Alaric murmured. “And I at least know what they mean.”
She still was not sure what to make of all this. It all seemed so unbelievable, so completely and utterly far-fetched. Her eyes went to the scar on the Duke’s brow, and she curled her fingers against her chest as she felt an urge to touch it.
On any other man, it might have hampered his good looks. But to Catherine’s frustration, it seemed only to have enhanced the Duke’s. No, Alaric’s. If he was going to use her Christian name, she would use his.
“And do they help?” Catherine found herself asking.
What am I doing?
Alaric massaged the stubble along his jaw. “I am not sure. But even if they do not, it seems a useful thing to keep in place.”
The scent of amber and cedar filled her nostrils, and Catherine swallowed hard. This was not what she had anticipated when she left London two days ago. She had expected cold indifference, not whatever this was.
A part of her wanted to believe him, while the other reminded her that Alaric was not to be trusted.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Alaric canted his head toward her, his green eyes dancing.
“I am just thinking that this is not how I expected things to turn out.” She watched his face, unsure of what she was looking for.
Alaric gave her a small, sad smile. “I think few women expect to marry a man who loses all memory of them. In truth, I had not expected to end this day with a wife.”
“Technically, you started the day with one as well,” Catherine teased without thinking.
Her stomach twisted, and she felt something surge through her. Alaric’s eyes darkened, pinning her to the spot. But his words caught her off guard.
“With wit like that, it is easy to see why I married you.” The corner of Alaric’s mouth quirked upward, and Catherine heard a slight huskiness to his voice.
You are being ridiculous.Catherine felt a flush spread across her. She was not sure what game the man was playing, but she was not about to let her guard down. No matter how tempting it might be.
He abandoned his son. He abandoned you.
She had to remember that. “We are already married. You need not pay me false compliments.”
“I am being truthful.” Alaric frowned. “Are you always this suspicious?”
‘Or is it something you reserve only for me?’
The words made Catherine stumble. She felt Alaric reaching toward her and jerked away from him.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his eyes searching her face.
