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 hall. Nothing looked remotely familiar, which told him that he probably hadn’t visited his cousin when he lived here, or that Cass had redecorated the manor.
My sweet Cass…He sighed heavily and frowned. What had happened to them? The last thing he remembered was leaving her house to return to the ball early that morning. They had gotten to know each other, and he left with his heart full of emotion. When he arrived at the party and found her father, Collin explained to the baron that Lord Wheatly had been forceful, and Cassandra slapped his face and left the manor, walking home. Collin told her father that he took her home and then returned to the party to let him know what had happened.The baron was very grateful for Collin’s help and thanked him profusely, and invited him back to their home any time he liked. Although he had wanted to return, he didn’t know what his cousin had planned for them.
After that, Collin’s mind clouded over, not allowing him to think of any more. The throbbing in his skull became more painful. As soon as he finished eating, he would return upstairs to the room and sleep. Hopefully, tomorrow would be better.
He gently touched his bandaged head. If only he could remember that part of his life sooner rather than later. He couldn’t stand not knowing why Cassandra appeared so heartbroken when she looked at him. Of course, she hid her pain with an upset expression, but he could see it in her eyes that she was hurting.
Was this really all his fault, as she had 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? They had even spoken about marriage while alone at her cottage, and his heart had nearly jumped right out of his chest with excitement. What could have possibly happened that his mind wasn’t letting him remember?
Mrs. Thompson entered the dining room again, carrying the tea tray. She placed the kettle on the table, followed by the cup and saucer.
“Would you like some tea, my lord?”
“Yes, thank you.”
As she poured, she peeked at him a few times, and as she handed him the cup, her smile grew wider.
“I must say, Lord Kentwood, that the staff here is very happy you are doing better today. And we hope you plan on staying here longer, but we know you have a busy life and will be leaving us soon.”
Confusion filled his head. Why did it sound like a compliment followed by a polite invitation to leave? “I appreciate that, Mrs. Thompson. Regardless of whether I have a busy life or not, I would like to stay longer and recuperate from my injury.”
Her cheery smile wavered slightly. “You are most welcome to stay longer, if that is your wish. Most of us remember you when you came to visit your cousin. Of course, that was several years ago. You were much younger.”
Her words surprised him. “Then I take it I have been here before?”
“Indeed, my lord.”
He sighed with relief. “I hope to remember those days soon, because for now, nothing looks familiar.”
“I’m sure your memory will return quickly.”
She left the room, and it made his heart glad to know these people welcomed him. But there was one heart he needed to change. Cassandra’s. Whatever he had done to her, he would fix it. He must use his heart to guide his actions, since he still felt the attraction between them now as if it had just happened. He must do something to soften her heart toward him so that she could love him again. Being friends would not do. Not after what they had experienced together.
Within minutes, Mrs. Thompson carried in another tray. This time, a plate of the wonderful foods he had smelled was on it, plus a few more. His hand trembled as he shoveled the food into his mouth, feeling like a man who had been starved.
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.
Apparently, it had been raining like this yesterday. This was another good reason for him to stay at the manor. But even if the sun was shining high in the sky and the temperature was hotter than Hades, he still didn’t want to leave until his memory returned, and until he had Cassandra gazing dreamily into his eyes like she used to.
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…
Chapter Fourteen
In his memory,it was a dreary day, just as this one. 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 joined a card game with three other gentlemen in a room near the lobby. Content with his winnings, he waited for the storm to pass so he could ride out to find a secret place where he and his sweet Cass could meet to be alone. Lloyd had been strongly hinting at leaving Bath, but Collin wanted to stay longer.
From out in the main hall, the slamming of the front door jerked his 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.
After excusing himself from the game, he collected his winnings and quickly rushed after his cousin. 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 cousin was foxed, yet again.
Just before Collin reached him, Lloyd stumbled and bumped his head into the door. Collin grasped his arm, keeping him upright.
“Here, let me open that 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 should order 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 his face instead of his usual carefree grin.
“It is the least you could do for me,” Lloyd grumbled.
