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 becausehehadn’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?”
“Indeed, 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.
“Where have you been, my good man.” Collin shook his head. “From the looks of you, I’ll need a couple of maids to bring you up some hot water for a bath.”
Lloyd blinked his eyes open and peered at Collin. A frown was affixed to the man’s face instead of his carefree grin.
