Confused, she glanced down at her servant’s uniform. “Why? What’s wrong with this?” She picked at the apron.
“Louisa, my sweet, you are not a mere maid any longer. You are the children’s nurse, which means you don’t have to wear a uniform.”
“But Trevor, I have no other clothes.”
“This, I realize. So, with your permission, I would like to have a dressmaker come see you tomorrow so she can make you some frocks.”
Excitement budded inside her chest. “Indeed? Oh, Trevor. This is so unexpected. I don’t know what to say.”
He shrugged. “Thank youwould suffice.”
She moved closer and grasped his hands. “Yes. I thank you so much for your generosity. I honestly don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Oh, I believe you do.” He pulled one of his hands away and caressed her cheek.
Her face burned from his compliment, and she was certain the palm of his hand would feel the heat emanating from her skin. Yet he continued to cup the side of her face, and she couldn’t resist snuggling against him. She loved staring into his warm blue eyes, yet doing this would make her want things that were impossible to have.
“Well, thank you again. I will repay you.”
He shook his head. “Staying on as the children’s nurse is payment enough. They love you, and I… I… um, I think you shall make a very capable nursemaid for them.”
Why did she have the feeling he was going to say something else? It was probably because her heart wanted him to have the same affectionate feelings that flowed through her. “I will certainly try my hardest.”
“As I know you will.” He dropped his hand and moved away.
Disappointment sat heavily in her chest. “What was the other thing you wanted to discuss?”
Trevor sat behind his oak desk and rested his steepled fingers in front of him. “Yesterday when you rescued Amanda, you had taken my horse—”
“Oh, forgive me, Your Grace. When I saw how close the twins were to the stream, I didn’t have time to think and at that moment, the stable boy was bringing out your horse.” She shrugged. “I didn’t think—just reacted.”
He held up his hand for her to quiet. “Yes, I know this. And please, my name is Trevor.” He winked. “But if you had let me finish, you would realize I was not reprimanding you for riding my horse.”
“You weren’t?”
“No. I wanted to ask you if you remember where you learned how to ride like that.”
She blinked her wide eyes. “Pardon me?”
“When you mounted my horse and took off, you rode like an accomplished rider. Did you realize this?”
“No.”
He nodded. “Of course I didn’t think of that until earlier this evening, but most servants don’t know how to ride that way. And most women do not ride astride. I could tell you were a very accomplished rider.”
She chuckled and moved to the cushioned sofa near his desk and sat. “Once again, this is something I did out of reaction. I must have known how to ride in order to do it, but I fear I cannot remember.”
“I honestly believe that you came from a family of Quality.” He leaned his elbows on the desk, dropping his hands palms down. “But the question remains, why would a girl who came from such a family end up on the streets half starved, and… whipped?”
“These are questions I would love to have answered. If only the cloud covering my memory would leave. But the more I try to delve into my past, the more my head pounds with confusion.”
“Have you recalled anything yet?”
“Yes. When I saw the twins by the stream, I remembered falling into a deep pond when I was younger, and my cloak pulling me down until I was submerged in water. I couldn’t breathe. Another girl who was slightly older than I, was the one who pulled me out.”
“Interesting.” He scratched his chin. “Do you recall where you were and who the girl was?”
She shook her head. “It was a quick memory, but I remember feeling very distraught. And although I can’t see the girl clearly, I think she was a good friend and not a sibling.”
