“Please.” He reached out and grasped her wrist, stopping her. “If you would tell me something about my life, perhaps I will start to remember.”
Warmth from his touch moved throughout her body, and a pang of guilt wrenched her heart. How could she play the vengeful vixen when he was in this condition? Now she must be kind to him, so when he regained his memory, he would remember her kindness while he was this way. She just didn’t have the heart to be vindictive right now.
“Fine, I will.”
She slipped out of his grasp. Not wanting to sit on the bed, she moved to the wall and grasped the only wooden chair in the room and carried it next to the bed. She sat, keeping her back straight and hands in her lap.
“You are the eldest of two Worthington brothers. Your younger brother is Adrian. You were the Earl of Hanover, but just recently, you inherited the title Marquess of Kentwood when your cousin, Lloyd—my husband—died in a boating accident.”
In silence, she studied his expression. His eyes remained expressionless, which told her he wasn’t remembering anything yet. She needed to tell him more. But really, she didn’t know that much about him, except for what he had told her when they first met in Bath.
“Your brother, Adrian, was just married. Most people know him by Lord William, but you call him Adrian, which I assume is his middle name.”
Slowly, Collin nodded. “That would make sense.”
“I have never met him until this morning, though, so I don’t know much about him.”
“Am I close to him?” Collin asked.
Cassandra wished she knew that answer. But he hadn’t confided much of his life when they were growing close during his trip to Bath. “I don’t believe you are.” She shrugged. “At least, you weren’t when I first met you. However, you could be now. Not too long ago, your father purchased a grand manor where you and your brother live.”
Keeping his gaze on her, he scrubbed a hand over his chin. “Is my family wealthy?”
She nodded. “Very much so, and now that you have inherited the marquess’s lands, you are even wealthier than before.”
Collin moved his attention around the room. “And do I own this house?”
Cassandra clenched her jaw. She didn’t want this estate to be his. She wanted the estate all to herself now that her husband was dead.
“Yes,” she answered in a tight voice. “But this is one of the smaller manors that you own, and it is very secluded, since it is located in the country.”
“So, you are pretty much secluded out here?”
“Very much so, my lord.”
He exhaled slowly, and a grin touched his mouth. “I think I would quite enjoy the peaceful life of country living.” He shrugged. “Of course, I don’t know why I feel that way.”
Cassandra held her breath, not wanting to release her frustrations. Instead, she must try to convince him that country life wasnotwhat he wanted.
“Forgive me, my lord,” she said, “but from what I know about your lifestyle, I would have to disagree. Living in the country would drive you mad. You would be completely bored.”
Confusion crossed his features. “But you live here, correct?”
“Correct.”
“And you don’t find it boring?”
If he only knew how hilarious that question was. She shifted in her chair. “No, indeed. I prefer the quiet life compared to the hustle and bustle of the busier towns, but only because of how I grew up. My father was a penniless baron, and so I was raised much differently than you were. However, you, my lord, were raised in a wealthy family with a socialite mother who was quite well liked in theton’s circles. Your family was always in the spotlight one way or another. You have a respectable family, and you are all expected to make appearances at social events.”
His gaze stayed on her, and for several moments, she wondered if he was going to speak again. She hoped he was reconsidering living on the estate, but even if he wasn’t, she would do anything in her power to convince him otherwise.
He sighed heavily. “Well, for now as I recover, I think I would like to stay here. I don’t remember anything or anyone, and you have such a friendly face. So, if you don’t mind, I would like to stay where I feel the most comfortable.”
She bunched her hands into fists on her lap, hoping he wouldn’t notice that his answer made her upset. But what could she do? She didn’t own the estate, and he could go and do as he liked.
Cassandra swallowed hard before clearing her throat. “Oh, of course, my lord. Because the doctor is not here yet, you should stay in bed until you are fully recovered.”
“Yes, so right.” He lifted his hand and touched the gauze wrapped around his head. “The way I feel right now, I’m surprised my skull isn’t split in two.”
