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“Because I was quiet, knew my place, and did not put on airs since I’d not come from wealth or a titled family. You told me so our wedding night.”
“You told me last night you didn’t know the reasons why I married you.”
She crossed her arms in front of her. “I lied.” She would admit it. Let Owen think what he wanted. Now that the flood gate had opened, Selena found it hard to stop talking. “You wanted a wife who would do as she was told and stay tucked away in the country while you were in town. We spent more time apart than together in the last eight years. After I lost our child, you practically abandoned me.”
Owen stayed silent, letting her tell her story.
“When your regiment was called up to go to New Zealand, I prayed for your death.” The words were tinged with venom. “It was the only way to escape you.”
Her husband stared at her, unmoving, his jaw set at a hard angle. “God as my witness, Selena, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are protected. I refuse to be that man again.”
“Don’t make promises you cannot keep.” She pushed by him out of the shed. The conversation had taken a toll on her. Selena had never been one to be so demonstrative with her emotions, but she had been on edge since Owen’s return. Selena had one foot on the steps to go to her bedchamber when Richards stopped her.
“Pardon me, your ladyship, but Mr. Sheffield is here.”
Rodney. He must have rushed from London.
“Tell him I will see him shortly. I’m going to change, then I will be down.”
“I put him in the drawing room, ma’am.”
“Thank you.”
Once upstairs, Selena quickly changed into a yellow day dress and swept her hair in a chignon before going to the drawing room. Rodney was standing by the window. Her beloved brother, confidant, and solicitor. The one man Selena could always rely on. They were one year apart, Selena being older, so they had a special bond.
“Rodney.” She hurried over and embraced him.
“Hello, dearest. I received your letter this morning and left as soon as I could.”
“Thank you.”
They sat on the couch.
“So your good-for-nothing husband has returned, and with amnesia, no less.”
“Yes. The doctor said he isn’t sure if or when Owen will regain his memories. He told me it may help to take Owen to familiar places.”
Rodney grunted. “You’re going to take him to the brothels and gaming dens?”
They shared a smile, knowing the answer already.
“What are you going to do?”
Selena sighed. “I don’t know. Owen is certainly different. There is no trace of the bitter man he was. Now he smiles and is considerate, but I can’t stop seeing the old Owen.”
“It’s understandable after all you have been through.”
Rodney was the only person who knew her darkest secrets. Since her marriage, Selena had kept a regular correspondence with Rodney. She had feared having many friends, believing Owen would somehow use them against her when he was in one of his vindictive moods. Katie had secretly posted her letters to Rodney.
“You said in your letter you wanted to discuss something with me. What is it?”
Selena nodded. “We need to think of a way to secure my future, in case Owen’s memories return. I can’t go back to that life, Rodney. You know how it was.”
“What do you propose?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I wanted your advice. Perhaps we can have Owen increase my allowance, or bequeath me some property, something that can’t be taken away, or won’t be noticed if he goes back to his former self.”
“You could ask Owen for a divorce. Lord knows he’s committed adultery more times than you can count.”
