Sweet Memories

by Marie Higgins

  “The only thing to be done is to wait.” Sighing heavily, he sat on the edge of his desk. “There is nothing more we can do.”

  “Does she recall her mother at all?”

  He shook his head. “The poor woman doesn’t even remember her own name. She thinks Vicky sounds familiar, which is why I call her that.”

  “I cannot even fathom.” She took another bite of her cookie.

  As he watched her munch on the food, he frowned. She had aged quickly in the last few years, looking older than she really should was. Her hair was nearly all white, and the woman was only in her latter fortieth year. The lines around her eyes and mouth were caused from the anguish Cole’s father had put her through. The woman tried to pretend she was naïve to his mother’s way of dealing with everything his father had put her through.

  Suddenly, her eyes snapped up and she met his stare. “Oh, dear. I nearly forgot to tell you about my visitor yesterday.”

  He rubbed his forehead. “What visitor, Mother?”

  Sighing heavily, her arms wearily dropped to her sides and she frowned. “Lord Hollingsworth’s solicitor.”

  Cole snapped his attention to his mother. Any mention of the lord’s name still made Cole’s blood crawl with disgust. “What did the solicitor want?”

  Tears built in his mother’s eyes. “It appears that your father made some kind of arrangement with Lord Hollingsworth when they were alive. Your father owed the lord money, and so the lord took the deed to the family estate until your father paid him back.”

  Cole fisted his hands. “Is it wrong of me to assume father had already paid Hollingsworth?”

  Her gaze dropped to her lap as she shook her head. “No, he did not.” She took a shaky breath. “Apparently, there was a clause in the contract, that upon his death, if your father hadn’t paid him back, the deed would revert to you as long as...” She raised her gaze to her son.

  Anger rose hot inside of Cole, but he still patiently waited for his mother to finish. “As long as what?”

  “As long as you take Hollingsworth’s niece, Miss Owens...eh, Mrs. Becksted is her name now, because she was married, but is now a widow. Anyway, you will need to take her on as your housekeeper. You are supposed to keep her employed for a full year. If you don’t, then the deed to our estate goes to Mrs. Becksted. If she stays for the entire year, then you will have control of the deed to our estate.”

  Cole blew out an irritated breath and pushed his fingers through his hair. He paced the floor with heavy steps as his mind whirled. “Are you saying I don’t have full rights to my own land?”

  “Yes, dear. That’s what I’m saying.”

  He stopped suddenly and faced his mother. “Tell me, where is this woman, Mrs. Becksted? How am I supposed to hire her as my housekeeper if I don’t know who she is or even what she looks like?”

  His mother’s hands twisted in her lap. “The solicitor said that she was coming to see you a few days ago.”

  Cole shook his head. “No woman has come.”

  “That’s what I told him.”

  “So then, where is she?”

  His mother shrugged. “She was supposed to come the day of the terrible accident at the docks. The solicitor wondered if Mrs. Becksted had been on the docks when that happens.”

  “Do you think she’s dead?”

  “That is what the solicitor thinks. He told me he would check it out. If he finds that she is dead, then the estate will finally be ours.”

  Cole couldn’t feel relieved yet. This startling news had him angry enough to want to dig Lord Hollingsworth out of his grave and choke him to death...and then turn around and do the same thing to Cole’s father. Why had his father been so weak? Greed was an ugly vice and turned even the best people into monsters.

  He sighed and walked to the sofa and sat beside his mother. “I’m not used to wishing anyone ill, but in this case, I pray Mrs. Becksted did have an unfortunate accident that took her life. I just want Hollingsworth’s memory to finally be buried with the man himself. I want that man out of my life once and for all.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly, Cole. I truly hope she is dead and the contract is broken. I cannot see myself putting up with anyone related to such a deceitful lord for one whole year. I shall be nice to her, of course, but because of who her uncle was—” his mother shuddered, “I honestly do not think I can tolerate any relative of Hollingsworth living in my home.”

  Cole drummed his fingers on the arm rest as confusion clogged his thinking. He’d only met Hollingsworth once in his life, but he’d continued hearing stories from his parents, and of course, his poor sister who was forced to marry the lout. “Mother, have you met any of Hollingsworth’s relatives?”

  “Heavens, no! From the stories I heard from your sister, I didn’t want to lower myself to meet them.”

  “Do you think Miss Owens...I mean, Mrs. Becksted, is as untrustworthy as her uncle?”

  His mother nodded. “I’m certain the woman is just as bad. I would hate to see you go through some of the things Hollingsworth put your father through. That family is vindictive. I believe Hollingsworth’s niece would try to control your every step. And I’m sure she’ll throw the contract in your face every time she had the chance. After all, if you back out, she will get my estate.” Tears collected in her eyes again, and she dabbed the tip of her finger to the edges. “You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you?”

  Cole’s heart clenched. He didn’t want to have to do that, but he also didn’t want to be tortured for twelve months. “But Mother,” he shook his head, “if Mrs. Becksted is that horrid, wouldn’t it be better not to deal with her problems? Wouldn’t it be better just to leave—”

  “Cole, don’t say it.” She covered her hands over her ears as panic grew on her expression. “I will not believe that you’re giving up. We can not let a Hollingsworth win. Not this time.”

  His mother was correct. He couldn’t allow Hollingsworth to get the best of his family again. Cole must stay strong and hold out for a year, even if he felt certain the woman would drive him insane.

  “Forgive me, Mother. I wasn’t thinking straight. I shall not let him win. Let’s hope that the man’s solicitor will return from the docks with encouraging news that leans toward us obtaining our own land.”

  “You are such a good boy. You always have been.” She patted his cheek. “Now we just need to find you a proper wife. As you know, I never did agree with the situation you had going on with Rebecca. She was nearly old enough to be your mother, for goodness sake.”

  Cole resisted rolling his eyes. They’d had this conversation many times before, although it had been a few years since his mother had voiced her thoughts. “Mother, my wife hasn’t been dead for very long. I’m still in the grieving process.” Too bad he didn’t feel like it.

  She released a heavy breath. “I know. I’m just looking forward for when you can remarry. Now that you have some money, I pray you’ll find the perfect woman to be your wife.”

  He’d been wishing that his whole life. Perhaps now that he had the funds and a little prestige, he would try looking for a wife. Immediately, Vicky’s face popped into his head and he smiled. He had to admit his heart melted whenever they were together, but he couldn’t get rid of the guilt for not loving Rebecca as he should have.

  Would Vicky ever forgive him?

  VICKY STARED UP AT the ceiling, lazily dragging her fingers through her hair as she lay on the bed. She’d been here for two days straight, and she was ready to scream...or go insane. The scene with the horse kept spinning in her head, making her more confused by the second. But it was more than what happened with the horse that set back her progress a few days. It was the unexplained dreams—or visions—that wouldn’t leave her head. And every so often Adora’s warning echoed in her ears, making her want to cry with frustration.

  Blowing out an irritated breath, she rolled off the bed and walked to the window. She stopped and leaned her forehead against the glass. The tr
ees swayed in the wind, but the outside temperature was warming up the house quickly. From her view, she couldn’t see a lot of the yard, but from what she could see, none of the staff seemed to stroll through the shaded trees or gaze upon the lovely flower garden. Even she didn’t have time to study the yard, especially since her foggy mind kept replaying the moment she calmed the horse, and the dreams that floated through her head.

  In Vicky’s dreams, there were horses—several of them—thoroughbreds. She vividly pictured herself with these animals, one at a time, soothing them the same way she’d done to Cole’s spooked horse. During the times she’d thought about this, her heart had warmed and she smiled.

  Strange how her emotions could climb from one level to the next. In her dreams, there were nameless people. She didn’t know who they were or what they wanted, but they made her upset and anxious. During those dreams, she wanted to scream and tell everyone to leave her alone because she couldn’t deal with their problems—and hers—at the same time.

  While she’d stayed in the locked bedroom these past few days, Cole had dropped by to visit her, but she’d sent him away, explaining she had a headache. That, of course, wasn’t far from the truth. All the confusion inside of her head made her skull pound. Would this ever leave her, or would she indeed, succumb to the madness trying to take over her mind?

  Exasperated, she sat on the nearest cushioned chair, flinging her legs over the armrest. Being cooped up in this room was not good at all. What she needed to do was get out of this house and travel to the places that would jog her memory. That was the only way to guarantee she would start remembering those things locked away.

  She pushed herself off the chair and hurried to the armoire. Cole had moved some of her mother’s dresses into this room, and they’d been altered to fit Vicky. Today she chose to wear a beige day dress trimmed with gold and white. The bodice was square, and the sleeves were bell-shaped. Around her neck, she wore a lace choker.

  As she brushed her hair and wound it into a coil at the back of her head, she stared in the full-length mirror and wondered about her mother. In all of the images popping in her head, not once did she see a woman who resembled the portrait Cole had shown her. Why couldn’t she remember her own mother? The only conclusion Vicky could come to was that she and her mother hadn’t been close. That would definitely explain why her mother and Cole had been married for all of those years and she’d not met him.

  Unease churned her stomach. Something just didn’t sit right with her mother married to a much younger man, especially since Cole had never answered her question about being in love with Rebecca. If they weren’t in love, why had they married? Why would a younger man marry such an older woman?

  What if he had never loved her mother? The few times he’d touched her, and gazed at her so very tenderly, the stirrings inside of her wanted a man like him to fall in love with her. As ridiculous as it seemed, Vicky wanted to feel a man’s love, since something deep inside her told her it was an emotion she’d never felt before. Yet, the mere thought of him still being in love with her mother, crushed all of her hopes and dreams of Cole being that man who could show her such love.

  Once she was finished with her toilette, she left her room and searched for Cole. As she made her way down the grand staircase, the silence in the house startled her. Why was it so quiet? Perhaps nobody was here. Did all of the servants help with the horses and tend the land?

  When she reached the main level, she detected voices, so she followed the sound down a long corridor. At the end was a room where the door was ajar. The hushed tones of the man and woman’s voice inside the room made Vicky more curious. She slowed her steps and listened closer. She didn’t want to interrupt something intimate.

  Before she reached the room, she recognized Cole’s voice, and she sighed. Perhaps she’d been mistaken about him and the other woman, but as their conversation continued, the tone from the woman was very sultry, and a few times, the woman referred to Cole as darling, or sweetie. Vicky frowned. This couldn’t be right.

  “Are you certain that woman is coming? I would think she’d be here by now,” the female in the other room said.

  “That was the information I received. However, I don’t know why she hasn’t arrived yet.” The tone of Cole’s voice seemed strained.

  Vicky dared peek inside. The curtains in the room were pulled closed, but there was enough light from the low lamp that showed her a bookcase, a desk and a chair. Cole sat behind the desk, a glass of dark, amber liquid placed in front of him. Vicky recognized Adora immediately. Adora stood behind Cole’s chair as she rubbed his shoulders.

  Vicky jerked back and sucked in a quick breath, placing her hand at her throat. Embarrassment flushed over her for witnessing something so personal. Her heartbeat quickened. Was there something going on between Cole and Adora? But how could there be? Hadn’t he demoted the maid? And yet, the scene she just witnessed was very cozy. Vicky didn’t want to believe it, but the truth was right there in the other room. The mere thought of it had Vicky’s chest wrenching with sadness.

  SEVEN

  Vicky should leave before they noticed she was here. But as she took a step back, she heard Adora’s voice.

  “Perhaps she’s decided not to come after all,” the maid continued. “If it was me, I wouldn’t want to go to someone’s house to work knowing everyone there loathed my very presence.”

  “I have thought the same thing, as well, Adora.” He sighed. “I just want to know one way or the other. If she decided to back out on the contract, then why haven’t I received the deed to my father’s estate?”

  “Perhaps you should try and contact Hollingsworth’s solicitor to discover why his niece isn’t here.”

  “I believe I should.” He shook his head. “It makes me wonder if Lord Hollingsworth played this trick on me to make me go insane. Is the dead man still trying to control my family from his grave?”

  Hollingsworth? Vicky arched an eyebrow. Who was that? And what of this contract Cole mentioned. Whatever it was had him in such a fit, and it was all because Hollingsworth’s niece.

  “Cole, darling,” Adora practically purred, which made bile rise in Vicky’s throat, “you should relax more. Your muscles are too stiff.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “If you want my opinion,” Adora added, “I think you need to stop worrying and take control of this situation. It’s obvious Hollingsworth’s niece won’t be coming to disrupt your life. And in that case, I think you need to contact the solicitor and let him know. Then you should release Mrs. Hampton so she can return to her own home. She’s not needed here any longer.”

  Irritation grew inside of Vicky. Home? Was the servant woman daft? Vicky couldn’t remember any other home besides this one.

  “No, that’s impossible.” Cole snapped. His chair scraped across the wooden floor. Vicky assumed he was standing due to the shuffle of feet that was heard. “Vicky needs to be here. This is her home now. She was down on her luck, and I promised her mother.”

  A smile tugged on Vicky’s mouth. Her heart softened to think he would defend her. At least he understood her plight.

  “No, my sweet man,” Adora’s sultry tone was starting to make Vicky quite ill, “we just need to help her regain her memory so she can remember where she truly lives.”

  Vicky rolled her eyes. Had Adora just barely figured that out? Of course, Vicky needed her memory back.

  “If you’re worried about her financially,” Adora continued, “then give her a couple thousand pounds. Rebecca had the money, and of course, now it’s yours.”

  By Adora’s unsympathetic tone of voice, it was obvious she wanted to send Vicky home. Panic tightened in her throat. Why did the idea frighten her so much? More than anything, she wanted to remember, but for some reason, the thought of returning to her former life was unsettling.

  “I just don’t feel right about something, Adora,” Cole said with a heavy sigh.

  “What worries you, my darling
?” The woman’s voice rose slightly. “Mrs. Hampton needs to remember her life. You must do all you can to help her remember.”

  Vicky scowled. Was Adora trying to help or was she merely hindering the situation?

  Footsteps creaked on the floor inside the room. Vicky’s heart jumped in panic again. This time the steps sounded as if they were coming closer to the door. On soft feet, she turned and hurried up the corridor, trying her best not to be heard. She moved around the corner and headed to the dining room. Hopefully, breakfast would be on the table. Her stomach growled with hunger. With any luck, the nutrition from the food would give her the strength she needed today. Jarring her memory was the only way out of this mess. Then Cole and Adora wouldn’t have to feel threatened by Vicky’s presence.

  When Vicky entered the dining room, two of the kitchen maids stopped and gazed upon Vicky with wide eyes. She smiled and swallowed the dryness in her throat. “Do you still have breakfast ready?”

  “Yes, Miss.”

  “Wonderful. Would you mind bringing me a plate of food?”

  “We don’t mind at all, Miss.”

  Both maids curtsied before hurrying into the other room. Within moments, they carried in trays of fruits and cheeses. Vicky’s stomach grumbled. She quickly sat as the maids placed the food on the table. Vicky took a plate and started piling it with the mouth-watering food. Grapes were the first to go into her mouth, and she didn’t care if she looked like a starving waif or not.

  The door to the dining room opened and Cole walked inside. When his gaze met her, his steps faltered and his eyes widened. She lost her breath for a moment. He was incredibly handsome today in his gray suit, snow-white cravat, and shirt. Then again, he hadn’t worn anything yet that hadn’t made him look impressive.

  “Vicky, you are out of your bedroom,” he exclaimed with excitement in his voice.

  She chewed quickly so she could speak, but the several grapes in her mouth made it hard to chew. She nodded, instead.