Anna smiled. “The fact that ye just made a jest means yer a strong lass, and if you don’t mind me saying, Miss, that was a good quip.”
“Thank you, Anna.”
“Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Selena…anything?” the maid asked as she placed the empty bowl on the tray.
“Nay, thank you, Anna. You have been a dear heart.”
There was a tap on the door and Anna opened it to reveal the viscount standing in the hall. “Anna, I would like to have a few minutes with Selena. I promise not to stay long.”
“Yes, milord. I’ll just return the tray back to the kitchens.” The young maid bobbed a curtsy and left.
When the door clicked shut, Gerald turned to her. “How are you feeling?”
“If I had a new head, I’d feel wonderful,” she chuckled.
Gerald’s lips curved in a crooked smile as he sat in the chair next to the bed.
Lord even with her head throbbing and fighting a fever, she could not help her heart from thudding at his handsomeness.
“There is something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you sooner…”
“Yes?” When he hesitated, she said, “Please. You can tell me.”
He reached for her hand/ “Our connection is not just because our fathers were lifelong friends. We are betrothed. We’ve been betrothed since childhood.”
A gasp escaped her. “Why did you not tell me?”
“I’m a cad. That is why. But I could no longer keep our betrothal from you.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I do not think you are a cad. My heart tells me you are not. I forgive you. But please, no more secrets?”
“I promise, no more secrets,” he replied.
He lifted her hand and kissed her palm, and she felt a spark of heat travel up her arm that had nothing to do with her fever.
“When you arrived in that rainstorm and were thrown from your horse, I was shocked, alarmed, confused,” he said. “But my priority was getting you inside. As I carried you up the stairs, you opened your eyes, and you recognized me and called me by name. But the next morning, you remembered nothing. Not my name, not even your own name. I was worried about your condition. When I began to tell you about who you were and our families, I neglected to tell you about our betrothalbecause I was ashamed of how I behaved six years ago at your first London Season.” Gerald told her how they first met. How she and her parents and his parents discovered him in a compromising kiss with Lady Adamson at their ball no less.
“But what I want to make clear is that everything and nothing has changed.”
“Now, I’m confused. Although that could be understandable given the bump on my head.”
He grinned and kissed her hand again, making her sigh.
“Nothing has changed because you are still my betrothed. But everything has changed because you are now in my care, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that you are safe. And even if you cannot remember what brought you here on that stormy night, I will find out and I will make sure that whoever hurt you pays for what they did.”
Selena blinked back tears. Gerald was a truly kind and caring man. And she was lucky to be betrothed to him. “You have been nothing but thoughtful and kindhearted. I… sensed there was something more between us than family friendship.” She gave a short laugh. “When you lose your memory, the things you learn become easier to see and understand.”
“I have never thought about it like that. Kind of like having a cupboard with only one food to think about. What you will have for dinner becomes clearer, I suppose.”
She laughed. “Yes, it does.”
“You kissed me,” he said suddenly. “Do you remember?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes. I did. It was impulsive, but I have no regrets,” Selena said, quickly losing the battle to the tears filling her eyes. “I came here for a reason, and I think I came here because of you. I may not have a memory of my life, but knowing I am betrothed to a man such as you gives me hope for the future.”
Gerald took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at her cheeks, which only made more tears run down her face.
“We have not had a chance to get to know each other,” he said, clearing his throat. “When you feel better, I would like to have a chance to repair that.”
