Then who would keephercalm?
“I…” She cleared her dry throat. “I’m sorry you cannot remember, but your name is Collin Worthington, and your title is Lord Kentwood.”
His gaze ran over her face again, then down over her gown before bouncing back up to her eyes. Was he trying to remember? Hopefully, this was just a momentary relapse, and he would feel better soon.
She had never been more uncomfortable with him, and she shouldn’t act like that now. She was still the lady of the manor, so she must act like it.
“And who are you?” he asked again.
Cassandra wanted to answer, but her mind spun out of control. She couldn’t tell him she was the mistress of the manor, especially since this was legally his manor now.
“She is Lady Kentwood,” Dora answered.
Cassandra groaned. Perhaps she should have said something first so her housekeeper wouldn’t have blurted out the wrong name and confused him.
His eyes widened. “Lady Kentwood? You are…my wife?”
Gritting her teeth, Cassandra fisted her hands by her sides. This was exactly what she didn’t want him to think.
She breathed slowly and tried to calm her racing heartbeat. She had loved his baritone voice when they first met, and, even now, hearing it refer to her as his wife sent pleasurable tremors all over her. She really needed to find a way to stop that reaction to him. He hadn’t wanted her before, and he would certainly not want her once he regained his memory.
“I’m not your wife. I married your cousin, and his death is why you now have the title.”
His stare narrowed. “I must admit, you do look somewhat familiar.”
“That is reassuring.” She sighed, hoping his memory was returning. “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.”
Cassandra fidgeted from one foot to the next as she continually clenched her hands and released them. “Um, is there anything I can have the servants bring you? Are you hungry?”
“I’m grateful for their kindness, but I do not need any food.”
“Splendid.” Cassandra couldn’t stand in one place for much longer. Seeing his face so pale, his hair disheveled, made him appear so helpless. She wasn’t used to him this way. He acted like an entirely different man. Thankfully, she knew he wasn’t.
“Are you sleepy?” she asked. “My housekeeper and I should leave and let you rest.”
He nodded. “I am a little, but you do not have to leave.”
“Rest will do you good, I’m sure.”
He reached up and touched the bandage around his head. His deep frown returned. “Before you go, will you tell me what happened to me?”
“I wish I knew.” Cassandra shrugged. “You were at my estate near the trees, and someone attacked you. None of my servants saw it happen.”
“Do you know who attacked me?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t had time to question the servants, but I assure you, I shall make it my first act of business once I leave the room. In fact”—she looked at Dora—“will you please gather the servants and have them downstairs in the corridor in one hour so that I can question them?”
“Yes, milady.” The housekeeper curtsied and moved out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Cassandra sucked in a ragged breath. She was now alone with the very man who had 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 another calming breath, telling herself that this time was different. He was injured and in bed, and he couldn’tdo 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? It is awful not knowing anything, and literally having a black head, making it impossible to think.”
She took a step back. “Well, I’m not sure—”
