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Selena grinned. “And where would that be?” She crossed her arms.
“You are not mother, so I do not have to answer.” Rodney chuckled. “Besides, I know how much you always enjoyed a good mystery.”
The siblings laughed. Selena saw Rodney to his horse and gave him a last kiss on the cheek before he rode away. As she went back inside, the documents Rodney had given her felt heavy in her hand. She was literally holding her fate in her own hands. The only problem was she didn’t know what to do.
Dinner that night was quiet. The tension was thick between them. They were both subdued, not sure what to say. It didn’t help that a footman stood guard within earshot of all that was said.
“How is the duck?” Selena asked.
“It’s very good.” Owen wiped his mouth with the napkin. “The sauce and vegetables are superb. I don’t see how Cook can come up with so many wonderful ideas. She is a treasure.”
“She will be glad to hear it.” Selena glanced over at the footman and gave a small nod, indicating he could repeat the praise to Cook later.
“I have been thinking.” Owen’s words cut through Selena’s thoughts. “Now that I have been home a few weeks and things are more routine, I think I should focus more on trying to get my memories back.”
A coldness ran over Selena. He still wished to remember, even after all she and Bran had told him.
“What do you have in mind?” Her voice wavered.
“I’m not sure. Being home, seeing you and everyone else, hasn’t helped much.” Owen grunted. “The only thing that has seemed to help is the hangover I woke up with this morning.”
Selena paused in her bite of carrot. “What are you talking about?”
Owen turned red, as if he were caught in a lie. Good Lord, what had happened?
“Tell me,” she whispered.
“When I woke up this morning, my head was pounding. No doubt from all the alcohol I imbibed last night. As I lay there, I remembered another time I had gotten foxed after playing cards all night at Drummond’s in London.”
She laid down her fork, suddenly not hungry. The contents of her stomach threatened to rebel. Selena put a hand over her abdomen, hoping the feeling would pass.
“Selena, what’s wrong?” Owen came over to her.
“Nothing. I think I’m still tired from last night and today.”
“Please leave us.” Owen dismissed the footman. Once the servants’ door closed, he turned back to her. “I’m sorry to have upset you. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you or not. Now that I have, I feel like a right idiot.”
“You were right to tell me.” She peered at him. There was no sign of the old Owen. All she saw was the kind eyes of the man who had made love to her that afternoon and made her feel alive for the first time in her life. “It’s just a shock. I knew this could happen.”
“Come, let’s sit in the drawing room.”
Selena leaned on Owen as they sat near the fire. The queasiness in her stomach gradually abated while the warmth of the fire eased the chill which had settled on her after Owen’s revelation.
“I know you do not wish me to remember, but I must.”
Selena lowered her head. If Owen’s memories returned, then she may have no choice but to leave. That made her recall the papers Rodney had left which were tucked safely in her room.
Owen tilted her chin upward. “I don’t blame you for wanting me to forget. I know I was a terrible husband, but that is still part of who I am. Even if I never remember, you will, forever. Don’t I deserve a chance to make amends for my past? I want a future with you, Selena. What we shared earlier today gave me a taste of what life could be like, and I want that life with you.”
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her. Selena did not pull back. Instead, she clung to him, holding onto his jacket as if it were the only thing keeping her steady. The embrace ended just as quickly as it had begun, but it was enough to make her blood heat with desire.
“Will you help me?” he implored.
“Yes.” Even though a tiny corner of her mind told her it could be a mistake, she knew she owed it to Owen. “Dr. Lucas told me that having you around people or places you are familiar with might help. Perhaps we should have a dinner party. Last night at the Bakers’, there were too many people. A more intimate affair may be better. It would give you more time to speak with people.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Do you have a mind to invite anyone in particular?”
“We should invite Bran and Sarah. Perhaps Captain Higgins and his wife. You used to speak to the captain about military topics when you were here. Elliot Mullins did some business with you, I believe. Oh, and perhaps Charles Gaul. He’s a businessman. If memory serves me, you two kept company both here and in London.”
