Delphine let out a sigh of relief as her memories came flooding back to her. “I remember everything,” she admitted. “My father was an earl and I am a countess.” She felt her face light up at that realization.
Lord Dunsby eyed her with disbelief. “You are married, then?”
“No, I am a countess in my own right. Suo Jure Countess of Dunrobin. It is an old Scottish title that is allowed to be passed to the ‘heir general,’” Delphine explained. “I also have a country home in Scotland and a townhouse in London.”
“I am afraid I am not acquainted with your father, Lord Dunrobin.”
“That does not surprise me since he detested going to London, or being social, for that matter. My father was many years older than my mother when they wed. It was an arranged marriage so he could get a male heir,” Delphine said. “Unfortunately, he got me. A woman. An utter disgrace.”
Lord Dunsby frowned. “Your father called you that?”
“He called me a lot worse, I am afraid,” Delphine replied as she attempted to keep the hurt out of her voice. “I was told that he refused to even look at me until I was nearly a hundred days old.”
“That was awful of him.”
Delphine couldn’t quite believe that she had been so vulnerable with Lord Dunsby. A man that was practically a stranger to her. They hadn’t even been properly introduced. Although, he had saved her from death and he would have held her in his arms, causing her face to burn with embarrassment.That realization was mortifying. She had never been so familiar with a gentleman before.
But she felt safe around Lord Dunsby.
What an odd reaction to a man that she hardly knew.
Lord Dunsby gave her an encouraging look. “If you remember everything, how did you end up here in the woodlands?”
The excitement she had just felt diminished as she furrowed her brow in thought. “I don’t recall,” she shared. “The last thing I remember was sitting in my drawing room, working on my needlework, and speaking to Charlotte. We were discussing the latest fashions for the upcoming Season and I had an appointment with the dressmaker.”
“Am I to assume this is to be your first Season?”
“It is, but I delayed it by three years due to my mother,” Delphine replied. “She was not up to traveling to London due to her fragile health, and I did not wish to leave her to have a Season.”
Lord Dunsby’s eyes held compassion as he asked, “May I ask when she passed?”
“Almost a year ago,” Delphine said, her voice growing soft. “That is one memory that I wish I could forget.”
“Pardon me for saying so, but I think it is a good thing that you can remember every moment with your mother.”
“The doctor said she had cancer of the stomach. I have been told that it was a painful way to die, but my mother never let on that she was in pain,” Delphine said. “But I could see it in her eyes even when she tried to pretend all was well.”
Delphine blinked back the tears that were forming in her eyes, knowing she couldn’t keep crying around Lord Dunsby. What he must think of her show of emotions. But then she stopped herself. Why did it matter what he thought of her? She remembered who she was and where she was from. She could go home now.
She sat straight up in bed. “Now that I know who I am, Ican go home,” she said. “If you are not opposed, I could make use of your coach and…”
Lord Dunsby held his hand up, stilling her words. “Slow down, my lady,” he encouraged. “You are still recovering from a brain injury. I do not think you should be so quick to leave.”
“I am perfectly fine now,” Delphine said. “My head no longer hurts and I have all my memories back.”
“Except why you entered the woodlands in the first place wearing only one shoe,” Lord Dunsby pointed out.
Delphine reluctantly admitted that Lord Dunsby did have a point, albeit weakly. She didn’t wish to impose on his family any longer than necessary, but she doubted she could travel in her condition.
“Why don’t we start with you joining us for dinner this evening?” Lord Dunsby suggested.
“I suppose that is wise,” Delphine agreed reluctantly.
“Good, we are in agreement, then,” he responded. “And tomorrow, when the doctor comes to visit, we can discuss when you can travel home.”
Delphine leaned back against the plush pillows. “Very well,” she conceded.
There was a gentle rap at the door before a maid stepped into the room, holding two books in her hand. “Hello. I am Marie, Lady Dallington’s lady’s maid. She thought you might like me to read to you,” she said.
