“Was that too forward?” He sat carefully on the chair near the chess table. “Not the dizziness, the kissing.”
“Well, yes, it was rather forward, but I did not mind. That is, I enjoyed the kiss.”
“I probably should not kiss pretty ladies until I know for certain that I am not married or betrothed to anyone else. Still, it is somewhat reassuring to know that I still know how to kiss.”
Adele sat across from him and patted his hand where it rested on the chess board. “I am growing quite fond of you,” she said. “I think I should very much like to kiss again sometime.”
He smiled. “I will take that under advisement.”
Chapter Six
After dinner, Adeletook Smith to see the countess, who had professed earlier in the day that she was in high spirits and felt much better than she had in a week.
Adele went in first and made Smith stand in the hallway. She found the countess sitting up in bed with a book in her lap. “I’ve brought our guest to see you,” Adele said. “But I wanted to check on you before I brought him in. How do you feel?”
“Much better. The fever seems to have passed.”
“I am very happy to hear that.” Adele leaned over and smoothed over the countess’s hair. “You could use a little color on your cheeks.”
The countess waved Adele away. “Pale complexions are fashionable, are they not? Besides, our guest knows I have been sick in bed. That is not a secret we are trying to conceal.” She set the book on the side table. “Are we any closer to guessing our guest’s identity.”
“Not quite. The staff and I have been calling him Mr. Smith. However, he remembers a signet ring with a coat of arms on it that may help. Perhaps you can recognize it. Or you may even recognize our Mr. Smith.”
“I’m afraid my knowledge of these things is seeping away like my health, but I will do what I can. Bring him in.”
Adele fetched him from the hallway. The countess gave him a long look.
“My, you’re a handsome one,” said the countess.
Smith laughed. “Thank you, my lady.”
“You do look familiar to me, but I cannot place your face. Or perhaps I knew your father. It has been quite some time since I went out into society.”
“I wish I could say.”
“Tell me about this coat of arms. And please sit while you do it. I don’t need two tall people hovering over me.”
Adele pulled over two chairs, and she and Smith sat beside each other next to the bed. “I forgot the sketch I made downstairs,” said Smith, “but what I recall is lions and boars on a family crest, on a signet ring that I believe has anSinscribed on it.”
The countess closed her eyes for a brief moment, likely trying to picture what he was describing. “I’m not connecting it with anything I remember, but then, my late husband, god rest his soul, was better at remembering those sorts of things anyway.” She smiled at Smith. “I’d ask you to tell me about yourself, but you don’t know much, do you?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“We lead a pretty quiet existence here,” said the countess. “Often Lady Adele and I read together. We play cards. She helps me with my needlepoint because the old eyes are not as sharp as they once were.”
“That sounds… nice.”
The countess laughed. “It sounds dull to you. We can’t all lead the thrilling life of a society gentleman.”
“What have you been reading today?” asked Adele, anxious to change the subject.
The countess touched the book on her bedside table and her face lit up. “It is a mystery story. A detective must find a missing person who seems to have disappeared into thin air. The story isquite enthralling, but I’m afraid it has few tips for how to solve our real-life mystery.”
“Do you think you’d see something like that in a novel?” Adele asked.
“I did read about a case similar to Mr. Smith’s in a novel once. The character fell from a great height and hit his head, although miraculously sustained no other injuries. When he came to, he could not remember anything. The affliction is calledamnesia.”
“How did the character solve it?”
