ELEVEN
Adeline forced herself to climb out of bed. She rang for her maid to help her dress and get ready for the day. Although she didn’t want to check on Collin, she knew that was required of her since he was a guest in her home.
She should have held her tongue when she spoke with him last. She really shouldn’t have left the room after telling him something that he would most certainly question later. This morning, however, she had more courage. Last night, her body had shaken with the mere thought of what had happened a little over one year ago.
When she was satisfied with her toilette, she slowly walked to Collin’s room. Her heartbeat was hammering so fast, but she tried to keep the rest of her body as calm as she possibly could. Reaching his door, she hesitated. Did she really want to go in there, knowing she had to answer questions? Unfortunately, it was better to get it over with than prolong the inevitable.
She exhaled slowly and knocked on the door. She listened for his voice on the other side of the door, but was greeted by silence. Cautiously, she opened the door and peeked inside. His bed was made and the room had been straightened. In haste, she searched for any of his items, but she couldn’t see anything without stepping further into the room.
Had he left? As much as she anticipated the day he’d leave, she doubted he had returned home this soon. Or... had he regained his memory last night after she’d gone to bed? That would explain why he’d suddenly left without saying goodbye. If he remembered what had happened, he’d surely know that he’d broken her heart.
“My lady.” A man’s voice disturbed the silence.
Gasping, she swung around. When she recognized who had sneaked upon her, she sighed and placed her hand on her neck where her pulse was still throbbing out of control. “Simon, it’s just you.”
“Forgive me for startling you, but I came to let you know that I’ve finished the task you sent me to do.”
She grasped his hands. The man who she’d loved as an older brother for several years, smiled wide. His brown eyes twinkling.
“Indeed, my lady. Your mother is taken care of now, as well as your sister.”
Adeline sighed heavily as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
He squeezed her hands gently. “Actually, I do. Your family is my family.”
“Indeed.”
Three months after Lloyd’s death, her father had become seriously ill and then lost his battle with life. Her brothers joined the military, leaving their mother and Olivia to fend for themselves. It had still taken a few more months before she was able to obtain access to her deceased husband’s bank accounts, and that’s when she began repairing her childhood home. Mother and Olivia had stayed with Aunt Dorthea, but the older woman had quickly tired of her houseguests.
“What did my mother think of the additions to the house?”
Simon’s smile softened. “She was very pleased. And Olivia was delighted with her new gowns.”
“I’m so glad.” She sighed again. “Oh, Simon. You are a gem. What would I do without you?”
He chuckled. “Now that you’ve made me your butler, you will never have to wonder about that. I shall always be here for you.”
She pulled her hands away. “By chance, did you see if Coll... um, I mean, Lord Kentwood left the manor last night?”
“He hasn’t left.” His jaw tightened. “However, I wish he would leave soon so that your life can return to normal.”
She chuckled. “Normal? Pray, I don’t know the meaning of that word. Not since beforethat manentered my life.”
“You will soon. I assure you, my lady.”
A sweet sound coming from the first floor, drifted up the stairs and to her ears. Someone was playing the pianoforte. Not only that, the tune was a very familiar one to her as she’d had it memorized since she was six-years-old. At first, she wondered if she was hearing things, but when Simon turned his head toward the stairs, she knew he heard it as well. Who else in the house played the musical instrument?
The answer smacked her right in the face. It was Collin. But... did he know that was her favorite song? Had she told him?
She spun toward the stairs and hurried down them. The closer she came to the music room and the louder the music grew, the more the memories of hearing Collin play for the first time filled her head. That could have been the very moment she’d started falling in love with him. And once again, her heart began to soften.
She stopped at the doorway. His back was toward her as he sat at the pianoforte, so she leaned against the door frame, enjoying the way he played. It surprised her that he didn’t have any music in front of him. It was apparent he’d regained his memory of being musically inclined.
He wasn’t fully dressed, and she found it odd that she felt comfortable looking at him with just wearing a shirt and trousers. His sandy-blond hair hadn’t been properly combed. Instead, it appeared as if he’d run his fingers through his perfect waves. The memory of touching his hair returned, and her fingers itched to feel the texture, once more.
As he finished the piece, she released a satisfied sigh. His back stiffened, and he swung around to face her. He looked so incredibly handsome with the absence of his cravat, which showed off his throat. Was it possible he was more muscular now than a year ago?
She pulled away from the door frame and pulled her shoulders back, trying to appear more proper, even though her mind was slowly filling with improper thoughts. “I see you have remembered how to play.” She motioned to the pianoforte.
