Gerald wanted to ask his parents to tell him everything, but he could not do that in front of his infant niece and nephew, nor his younger sister Gabby.
“The rooms are all prepared,” Mrs. Evans announced as she withdrew from the room.
“Please don’t think badly of me, sweet brother,” Diana said. “But these babies are tired and need to be fed.”
“Son, we all need to get a good night’s sleep including you,” his father said. “Tomorrow morning will be soon enough for us to talk about everything that has happened. Everyone is safe and sound, and that is the important thing.”
Gerald nodded, even though he knew he would get no sleep tonight.
Gabby rushed to Gerald and gave him a quick hug. “I’m so sorry about all the horrid things that have happened. But I’m so glad we’re here though. The house looks wonderful. I cannot wait to see everything...everywhere,” Gabby said, lifting on her toes and kissing her brother.
“I’m glad too, Gabby.” Gerald hugged his youngest sister tightly. “I’ll see you all tomorrow morning, have a good night’s sleep.”
~*~
Gerald made his way to the parlor. Just as he was about to knock on the door, Doctor Baker opened it.
“I was just about to call for a footman to get you,” the doctor said.
“How is she?”
“Much better. Perhaps we could speak in private?” the doctor suggested.
“Yes of course.” Gerald led the way to this study and offered the doctor a seat.
“It appears she has regained her memory. I’m not sure what prompted the change, and it’s hard to say definitively that all her memories have returned, but it seems so,” Doctor Baker said.
He looked at Selena lying on the sofa, asleep. “Is she all right?”
“I gave her a sedative to help her sleep through the night. It is for the best that she rests.” After the doctor had finished filling Gerald in on Selena’s condition, Gerald thanked him and escorted him to the door.
“You’re welcome, of course. I’ve got a birth to get to. But send for me if anything changes. I’ll be at Mrs. Whitton’s. Miss Bowles has had a terrible shock,” he said. “She needs to stay as calm as possible. Although, considering she hasn’t seen her mother in some time, it seems unlikely.
“Thank you, Doctor Baker,” Gerald said.
Gerald returned to the parlor feeling a curious mixture of relieved, concerned and saddened to see Selena sedated on the couch. “Lady Bowles, I realized that I never properly welcomed you to Bellwood. We are very happy you are here.” He looked down at the sleeping Selena. “Selena needed you and the timing of your arrival was perfect.”
She swiped at a tear that leaked from her eye. “I am glad I arrived when I did,” Lady Bowles said, gently running her hand over her daughter’s forehead, pushing back a few strands of damp hair. “I missed my sweet daughter so much.”
“Selena is an amazing young woman. And I have benefited from the time this has given me to get to know Selena. I’ve found her to be a very determined, strong, and brave woman. I have come to care for her very much,” he said.
“That makes me happy. Phillip and I argued when he first brought up the idea of a betrothal. But he felt so stronglyabout it, even though we both wanted her to marry someone who would love her.”
She looked down at her daughter and it seemed to Gerald that there was more she wanted to say.
Instead, she looked up and smiled. “Thank you, Lord Lawrence, for taking care of my little girl.”
“I will take her to her room.” He lifted Selena and carried her upstairs, gently placing her on her bed. Her mother tucked her in and kissed her forehead. As he turned to leave the room, her maid entered. “Anna, please escort Lady Bowles to her room.”
“If you don’t mind, Lord Lawrence, I should like to sit with my daughter for a bit longer.”
He nodded and exited the room, fighting the urge to run back to the bed, draw Selena close, and kiss her passionately.
~*~
Chapter Twelve
The next morning
