TWELVE
The afternoon for Collin was going better than this morning. Doctor Hadley had paid Collin a visit and checked on his wound, reporting it was healing nicely. He was relieved to hear Collin’s report that his memory had fully returned. Unfortunately, it was his heart that needed repairing now.
No longer wanting to lie in bed, Collin sat on a heavily cushioned chair near the fireplace. As he stared at the small flames burning on the charcoaled log in the hearth, his mind repeated his conversation with Addie. He still didn’t know if he was more upset over his friend’s actions on that fateful day a year ago, or if it was because Addie had admitted to her plan of entrapment.
He moved his gaze to the book on his lap. In the hour that he’d been sitting here, he’d only read five paragraphs, but he couldn’t remember what he’d read. However, he needed time to think. He’d thought about finding Addie and asking her more about what happened that time at the cottage, but he feared he’d not like her answers.
The knock on the door jerked him out of his thoughts. “Who is it?” he asked, peering in that direction.
“Mrs. Pettingill, my lord. I’ve brought you some tea.”
“Come in.” He returned his gaze to the fire.
The housekeeper entered and carried the tea service on a tray and placed it on the small table next to him. She poured him a cup and handed it to him.
“Thank you,” he said.
“I must say, my lord, you are looking so much better this afternoon. I’m happy that the doctor removed that bandage around your head.”
“Yes. I’m happy, as well.”
She glanced at the hearth. “Would you like me to toss in another log?”
“Yes, that would be good, thank you.”
She moved to the hearth and placed another log on the fire before straightening. “Will you be needing anything else, my lord?”
“No, Mrs. Pettingill.”
As the housekeeper walked out of his room, Collin heard another voice in the hallway. He glanced toward the open door just as the butler stepped inside. Immediately, Collin recognized him as the driver Kentwood had hired when they were in Bath a year ago.
“My lord.” Simon bowed slightly. “I hope you’ll forgive my interruption.”
Collin nodded and motioned him inside. “It’s good to see you again, Simon. However, I’m surprised you work here.”
The man smiled wide. “I’m good friends with Lady Kentwood. I had worked for her family when she was younger, and she has appointed me her butler. Lately, I’ve made it my business to protect her. She’s had a hard life.”
“Yes, I understand, and I commend you for being such a loyal friend.”
Simon squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I wanted to introduce myself to you and see if there is anything you need. Pettingill tells me that you will be making this estate your home.”
Home?Pray, how could he stay here knowing that this was where Addie wanted to set up residence? He couldn’t displace her. This land and estate was now his. She was at his mercy until other provisions could be made, which he suspected she knew. Or...
Collin could marry her.
Suddenly, he was hit with a feeling he hadn’t expected. A familiar feeling that he’d experienced the night of the masked ball when he’d realized he was falling in love with Addie. Confusion filled him, especially when he’d just been stewing over the fact that she had wanted to trap him into marriage a year ago.
Closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead.What am I thinking?And yet, his thoughts were clearer more now than they’d been since before losing his memory.
One year ago when Lloyd had told him about the marriage, Collin thought he’d die from the pain piercing through his heart. He’d traveled around the world after that, hoping to get her out of his mind and heart. It hadn’t happened. He’d even tried to fall in love again, but none of the women were Addie. He’d only wanted one woman – the one he couldn’t have. But now... what if he could have her?
“My lord?” Simon asked.
Collin looked at the butler, trying to remember what the man had asked him. “Um, yes. I’ll be staying here during my recovery. Once I’m fully healed, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
The man’s expression hardened and his eyes turned dark. In fact, the servant appeared very upset. Then again, Simon was friends with Addie’s family, so perhaps he was thinking he was protecting her from men like Collin. But the servant had no clue what misery Collin had suffered as well during this past year.
“Is that all, Simon? Or do you have more questions for me?”
