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“I thought it might be preferable to go to your country estate. It’s just outside London.” And away from everything that Selena detested from Owen’s life, including his mistress. If what Dr. Lucas said was true about showing Owen places and things from his past, Selena wanted to keep him away from that part of his life. At least until she decided on the best recourse.
“What is the name of the estate?”
“Stonegate. When we arrive, you will see remnants of the old stone gate which surrounded the original property,” Selena answered. “Did you receive the letter I sent?”
“I did. It arrived in New Zealand just as they were preparing to ship me home. I am an earl now, it seems?”
“Yes. Your father passed away almost a year ago. Ernest, your older brother, inherited the title, but four months after, he was killed in a carriage accident. He had not married, so now the title is yours.”
It had been a shock to have two deaths so close together. All the responsibilities had fallen to Selena in Owen’s absence. Thankfully, she had been spending a good deal of time nursing her father-in-law during the last weeks of his illness. She had brought the old earl to Stonegate because of its proximity to London and the doctors. Selena had written the earl’s correspondence, along with other duties. which had familiarized her with the estate holdings.
“I know nothing about being an earl. Really, I know little except what my friends told me during the trip home.”
Selena studied her husband as he peered out at city streets. He looked like a child, seeing things for the first time. Every noise, every movement, caught his attention. His eyes were wide in wonderment and his mouth open in a perpetual state of awe. It was almost endearing. The sentiment vanished when Selena recalled how that mouth would be set in a grim line as he berated her for some imaginary fault.
“Did I like the city?” he asked, breaking through her thoughts.
“Yes. You preferred London to the country.”
“Why?”
Now his full attention was on Selena. How much of the truth should she divulge? It was probably best to tread lightly for now. There would be time later to reveal the extent of their troubled relationship. “You found the country dull. You liked the excitement and energy of the town, if I recall your words.”
His dark gray eyes did not leave her. It unsettled Selena, but not in the way it used to. Prior to his departure, menace had filled those orbs, but now, there was something else which made her stomach flutter.
“If I like London, why are we leaving it?”
“I thought it best not to overwhelm you too much after your injury. The doctor said it would be better for you to rest.”
“I will do whatever I can to regain my memories. You do not know how frustrating it is to look at a person or place and know nothing. Take you, for example.” Owen settled back in his seat.
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Selena, my attractive wife, who before today I have no recollection of ever meeting.”
Owen had given her a compliment. Something he had not done for the eight years of their marriage. Her chest warmed. Do not fall prey to his sweet words.
Owen leaned forward. “I want to know about you, about us. What are your interests? Do we have any children? What foods are my favorites? Do I like music? Art?”
He grew animated as he spoke, excited at the prospect of learning about himself—and her. Selena did not know where to begin. Actually, there was not much to tell. After a short courtship, their interactions had been brief, mostly in attempts to secure a child. Once Selena had learned of Owen’s true nature, she had been more than happy to see him gone to London. Now she would be with him day and night. Would she grow to like the man in front of her? Or would the shadows of the past haunt her?
Selena decided to answer some of his questions to quell his curiosity for the time being. “We do not have any children.”
“Are we not able to have children?”
“I was pregnant once, but I lost the baby.” She would leave it at that. No use bringing up painful memories. Would Owen expect her to resume marital relations? Being an earl, he would require a son to carry the name. She must not think about that now. No, best to stick to Owen’s list of questions. “Your favorite food is roasted quail. You have never expressed opinions on either music or art when you were around me, so I cannot answer that question.”
“What do you mean when I was around you?” He wrinkled his brow. “You are my wife. I must have been around you a good deal.”
His memory might be impaired, but Owen’s mind was sharp. He did not miss the insinuation of her comment. It seemed not everything had been lost. Prior to his departure, Owen had had a keen mind for business and been quick to spot new ventures and opportunities. It appeared that his quick-mindedness had not dwindled.
Selena bit the corner of her mouth, hesitant to say anything. Owen grunted in frustration and threw his hands in the air. For a moment, Selena steeled herself for an argument. She tried to make herself smaller by backing into the corner. Instead of yelling, he did the last thing she expected.
He ran a hand through his hair before letting out a deep breath. Then Owen fixed his stare on her as he took her hands in his. The instinct to recoil from his touch was strong, but Selena forced herself not to pull away.
“Selena, tell me the truth. Was I a good husband?”
The bottom of her stomach dropped, and her mouth went dry. She did not realize she was shaking until she glanced down to see Owen stroking his thumb over her trembling hands. Slowly, Owen raised her hand to his lips, but Selena pulled away before his lips made contact.
