THREE
Adeline controlled her anger as she stepped into the room. The storm clouds had grown darker, which created shadows everywhere. Only a few candles were lit, and she wished the room was brighter. But she was certain the physician had ordered dim lighting for Collin. His injury would have given him a tremendous headache.
Two female servants were in the room. Mrs. Pettingill was old enough to be Adeline’s mother, but the older woman wasn’t the kind hearted motherly type who would treat Adeline like a daughter. Then again, these were Lloyd’s servants, and of course, they thought she was responsible for her husband’s death.
The other servant was twenty-eight-year-old Betty, who had never been married. The woman was mostly shy, but at least she was a good servant to Adeline.
Both of the women glanced at Adeline as she crept closer to the bed. Collin’s eyes were closed, and his hair appeared damp. She recalled the amount of blood that had been around his head when they’d found him in the thicket of trees. Thankfully, the doctor had cleaned that from his hair. A gauze bandage was wrapped around Collin’s head.
Collin’s white shirt was open at the throat, and she hadn’t remembered until now how powerfully muscular he was. His arms were outside the covers, but the quilt covered the rest of his body. A fire blazed in the hearth, keeping the room’s temperature very warm.
Adeline stepped to the end of the bed and stopped. What in heaven’s name could she say to a man who’d lost his memory? She couldn’t scream and throw blame at him anymore because he wouldn’t understand. She had promised the doctor before he’d left, that she would keep the patient calm.
Calm?Who would keep her calm?
Adeline glanced at Mrs. Pettingill. “How is he?” she whispered.
She didn’t have to look at Pettingill’s wrinkled smirk for very long because Collin’s body jerked and his eyes flew open. He looked directly at her, and she held her breath. From his blank expression, she could tell that he didn’t know who she was.
“I...” She cleared her dry throat. “Forgive me for startling you.”
His gaze ran over her face, then down over her gown before bouncing back up to her eyes again. She’d never been more uncomfortable. If only the servants would leave, but then that would beveryimproper.
“You must be Lady Kentwood.”
Breathing slowly, she tried to calm her racing heartbeat. She had loved his baritone voice when they’d first met and, even now, hearing it sent pleasurable tremors all over her. She really needed to find a way to stop that reaction to him.
“I am.”
His stare narrowed. “I must admit, you do look somewhat familiar.”
“That’s reassuring.” She sighed. “The doctor told me that he wasn’t sure how long your memory would be gone, but if you think I look familiar then I’m sure it won’t be long before you can remember everything.”
He smiled, but it wasn’t full. “I pray you are correct.”
Adeline fidgeted from one foot to the next as she continually clenched her hands and released them. “Um... have the servants been helping you?”
“Indeed. I’m very grateful for their kindness.”
“Splendid.” Adeline shifted her gaze from Betty to Mrs. Pettingill. The women continued to clean where the doctor had obviously messed. Adeline returned her attention to Collin. Seeing his face so pale, his hair disheveled and in bed made him appear so helpless. She wasn’t used to seeing him this way. He could be an entirely different man. Thankfully, she knew he wasn’t.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
He nodded. “I am a little, if it’s no trouble.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course it’s no trouble.” Adeline aimed her gaze at the older woman in the room. “Pettingill, would you fetch Lord Kentwood something to eat?”
“Yes, milady.” She curtsied and moved out of the room.
Their arms full of damp towels and bloody bandages, Betty followed Mrs. Pettingill out of the room. The moment the door closed, Adeline sucked in a ragged breath. She was now alone with the very man who’d ruined her life – the man she had told only this morning at his brother’s wedding party that she wouldneveragain be alone with him.
She took a calming breath, telling herself that this time was different. He was injured and in bed, and he couldn’t do anything to her, anyway. Besides that, he didn’t even know his own name. She should be safe... for now.
“Lady Kentwood?” Collin asked in dry voice. “Would you tell me something about my life. You don’t know how awful it is to know nothing and literally havenothingto think about.”
“Well, I’m not sure—”
“Please. If you would tell me something about my life, perhaps I’ll remember.”
