There was not one thing about him that could be called unsightly. For the first time, Adeline felt inadequate about her appearance. She must be dirty, possibly covered in mud, after the attack from Euron. Euron!
“Where is Euron Carson? The man that... that...”
She felt ashamed and averted her eyes, looking away. But she could still feel his stare on her.
“It should warm up rather quickly, you will see. I must go back outside and stable the horse.” He said.
“Wait,” Adeline stopped the man.
“Yes?”
“Are we at the Green Tavern? Where are we? Who are you? Why am I here? You must help me to understand.”
A big grin came across his face that could have stopped her heart, so attractive.
“No need to worry, I did not take you far from your path. I will return, stay off that foot.”
Then he walked out. She watched him walk, ashamed that she did so, staring at his backside. She had never done that to a man before, but she had never seen one so handsome before, either.
The cottage was indeed small, and it looked like a hunting cottage of sorts. The kind that the rich of high society used to take rest when they went across the fields of land to hunt fox and game.
Indeed she felt grateful for it, because she could feel the warmth from the fire all the way to the bed. She rubbed her hands together, getting them warm, very glad that she was not on the ground in the field after being assaulted by Euron.
“Oh what would Hilda and Benson think? She must get word to them as soon as possible. They will be worried about her. What would Euron tell them? He would concoct lies, no doubt, the scoundrel. But could she really go back? She could not live there any longer. That was Euron’s home, always, and she would never feel safe near him again.
Minutes went by and the man still did not return. She knew a thing or two about stabling an animal, and it did not take long to remove the saddle, feed and water a horse, and make sure it was secure and happy for the night.
Adeline repositioned herself on the bed and as she did so a shooting pain shot up her leg.
“Dear Adeline. What have you done?”
She reached down and pulled on the fabric of her skirt and felt her knee. It hurt something fierce to the touch. Even through the stocking she could tell that it was already twice its normal size. She looked toward the door, it was not moving yet. So she hiked up her dress to her knee and reached to her thigh and pulled her stocking down, rolling it down her thigh over her knee until it was completely off her foot. Her knee was turning purple and blue, and seemed to be turning into a ball. She frowned as she pressed on it.The pain made her wince.
“Let me take a look at that,” the deep voice said. Adeline turned in surprise. How long had he been standing in the doorway? She did not hear it open.
“Oh no sir, that will not be necessary. It should be right as rain tomorrow.” She said not sure if she wanted this handsome gentleman to be fondling her knee.
He ignored her and walked straight toward her making quick work of the distance between the door and the bed. He looked down at it.
“That does not look good.” Then he sat down, facing her, but on the other side of her feet. His large hands grabbed her calf, and her breath quickened. His hands felt cold since he had just come from outside, so why was she so heated all of a sudden? With his other hand he placed it on her knee, examining it.
Adeline suddenly felt something new, arousal? She bit her lower lip.
“Tell me when it hurts,” He said. Then he slowly touched her knee.
“It does not feel broken, nor does it look broken, but you indeed injured it. I am going to pour cold water in a basin for you to soak it in.”
He placed the water basin on the bed directly under her knee and plunged a cloth in it and wrapped it around her leg. The cold water helped immediately, bringing some relief.
“Here, this will help as well, to numb the pain,” He handed her a bottle of wine.
She looked at it hesitantly. As though sensing this, the stranger gave her a look and cocked his head to the side. “I am not trying to get you drunk Adeline. I am merely trying to help. Have I not proveN that point as of yet?” His face was stern and Adeline could sense his annoyance.
She had to admit that he had not done anything inappropriate. She took the wine, and he smiled.
Adeline took a swig of the wine, it was good, and strong.
“How do you know my name sir? I remember you.”
“You do!” he said enthusiastically.
“Yes from that day in London long ago. You came up to me as though you knew me, but I do not know you sir.”
He sighed. “Adeline, what is your surname?”
“Sir I rightly do not know that, so I go by the name of Blakefield.”
“That is not your surname.”
“What how do you know that?”
He sighed again and pulled up a chair. He poured himself some wine. “My name is William Dawson, the master of Linwood Estate. This is my hunting cottage, one of them anyway. We scarcely use it.”
“Linwood?”
“Yes. You know it,” he said.
“I do not, but the name is oddly familiar. Perhaps I read it in the newspapers or heard it at the factory from the factory manager when you came that day.”
“That day? You were there?”
“Yes sir, it is where I worked.”
“Blasted. Why had I not taken care to look at each and every individual place of those women.”
“I do not understand sir. But I am quite frightened being here. I cannot stand and I feel like your prisoner. What is it that you wish to do with me? For I will fight unto my death if it be improper.”
William smiled. “I see you have not lost your bravery, though you have lost your memory.”
Her eyes opened wide. She remembered Ginny telling her that exact thing.
“How do you know that sir?”
“Because I knew you before you lost your memory. We are well acquinted you and I.”
“What? No that cannot be.”
“You were a maid in my household, but were turned out by my sisters. The next time I saw you was at a very grand house in London. The Davis House of Andrew and Robert Davis and their sister Wilameena. At that time you were a very well known actress.”
“What? No! That cannot be! You must be mistaken sir!” she shouted. But then she remembered that she knew Shakespeare and could recite lines from many plays. She remembered the images of seeing herself on stage.
“It is true. Your name is Adeline Simmons, though once you became and actress you took your partner’s last name of Proctor.”
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* * *
“Proctor! Katrina Proctor!” she said.
“Yes. So you do remember?” he said, leaning forward in his chair.
“No. I do not. But before I lost my memory I wrote a letter to a Katrina Proctor of Brentwood Manor asking for her assistance. After I lost my memory I could not make sense of it.”
“Yes, Katrina is like a sister to you. The both of you were actresses in London and you took her name so as to better advertise the Proctor sisters actresses. You were quite a hit and invited to perform in some of the most prominent houses. You had everything; gowns, food, money.”
“What? Katrina Proctor is my named sister? That does not make sense. Then where is she? How is it that I end up in a factory and she is at a place at Brentwood Manor? Is she a maid there?”
“No. Not in the least. She married the master of Brentwood Manor, a man name Captain Mason Byers, who is a dear friend of mine. They have been searching for you as have I.”
Adeline was stunned. She could not speak for a full minute. She stared at the flames in the fire. Her head hurt as though it was trying to make sense of all the details that he had given her.
“Is this the truth sir? Or do you tell me these lies to take advantage of my lack of mem
ory?”
“It is the truth. Adeline it pains me greatly to know that you do not remember these things.. or remember me. I have searched for you for so long. At one point I thought you were dead and I lost all hope. Yet here you are and I do not want to let you go.”
“What do you mean not let me go?” she narrowed her eyes at him.
He sighed. “You are sick. You have lost your memory. I mean to keep you until you remember, so that you may go back to being Adeline Simmons.”
“Keep me! You cannot keep me prisoner sir!” she shouted.
“You do not have much say in the matter since you cannot stand, but trust that I do this for your own good.”
“My own good? You are a scoundrel playing a trick on me! If you only wished me a well recovery of my knee and my memory than you would take me to Katrina Proctor.”
“I will, but not for a month.”
“What? Why?”
“She is not there. She sailed to Ireland with her husband Captain Byers and they will not return to this part of the country until a month’s time. Rest assured I will send word to Brentwood Manor that I have found you, but they will not receive it until they return.”
Adeline huffed and crossed her arms. How could this be? Could I trust this man?
“Now I have a bundle of food with me from my travels but not much. Tomorrow I shall go get more. Then, after you can be on your feet I will take you to Linwood Estate. My sisters are there now, but they will be gone to London in a few days, and we shall go then. Trust me, it is better that way.”
“You mean to move me from here to take me to your estate? But my friends they will be looking for me. I work at the Green Tavern and...”
“Do not worry. I will make your amends to them and tell them who you really are. See?” he pulled out the portrait of her that he had shown to so many. It was from a playbill.
She took it with an air of annoyance. Then she looked at it. She gasped.
“That’s.... that’s I. But how?”
“I told you. I tell you the truth. That is from a playbill when you were an actress.”
She ran her fingers over the portrait. How pretty she looked, so polished and refined. Now she felt dirty and worn. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
William put the back of his hand over his mouth, trying to stop himself from feeling the pain she must feel for time lost, but he was going to make it up to her, no matter what.
The next day Adeline woke with a headache and an ache to her knee. She had to remember where she was, in a hunting cottage with a man that said he knew her from her past. The smell of ham cooking and hot tea hit her face and her stomach grumbled. She sat up in bed.
“Mr Dawson?” she whispered.
“I am here. Good morning and please call me William. We are old friends, I assure you,” he smiled handing her a cup of water.
“Thank you.” She said quietly. “How long was I asleep?”
“It is almost noon,” he said.
“Noon? My goodness. I must have been very tired indeed.”
“You drank quite a bit for the pain of your knee and of course I told you a lot of your past. That must be quite tiresome I’d imagine.”
“Oh yes, that...” she remembered all that he had told her and it overwhelmed her, but in the night it came to her in the form of nightmares. Being on stage with Katrina and having snobby well-to-do women snub their noses at her.
“Hungry?” he asked.
She nodded her head yes.
Then without warning he scooped his arm underneath her knees, and his other arm around her back and picked her up from the bed. Adeline did not want to admit it, but she was rather liking being carried around by him more and more. She placed her arms around his neck looking up at him, never getting tired of being this close to him.
He sat her in a chair at the table and pushed another chair near her so that she may lay her leg upon it. He helped her get situated.
“My physician is coming today to look at your leg. He will give you some remedies for the pain and swelling.”
“Your physician? Oh but sir, I cannot afford to..”
“It is my burden to bear and I will pay for it. I owe you more than you can remember Adeline, and I mean to set things right.”
She arched her brows, not sure of his meaning, but who was she to complain with no money of her own, again?
Then he grabbed the wet cloth, and used it to pull the cauldron from the fire. He set it on the table and pushed a ladle into it. Next he grabbed two bowls, putting one in front of her and one in front of his empty chair. A loaf of baked bread on a wooden board came next, before he finally sat down.
“Thank you for doing this, for feeding me. You made all this?”
“Well I wish I could take credit. I know a family nearby that often makes our meals when our hunting party stops here. I have made arrangements to have meals delivered here. There is cold ham, chicken, cheese, and bread for dinner as well.”
“That is so kind, sir. Thank you.”
“Do not call me sir, Adeline. Call me William.”
He sawed the bread with a bread knife. He placed a piece next to her bowl, and then started to ladle hot vegetable stew with herbs into both of their bowls.
“Maybe if you eat well and rest it will help you to recover your memory. I hope you do not mind that when I wrote the physician I told him of your amnesia. Perhaps he can help in that regard as well.”
“Oh that is kind thank you. In truth sir – I mean William – I have not believed you, until you showed me that portrait of myself. And I do have flashes of things coming back to me but they are fuzzy and so unclear in pieces, and I always thought they were dreams.”
“Pray do not trouble yourself, as stress can be bad for one’s constitution. “Eat up, before it gets cold,” He said gesturing toward the stew.
She nodded her head and obliged, dipping the large wooden spoon into the stew.
“It is delicious William, thank you and your cooks,” She said.
Then she tore off a piece of bread and plunged it into the stew, eating with delight. Indeed she was very grateful to have a hot meal, and a warm place to be while she was injured, as well as a very handsome nurse who knew something of her past. She could not wait to question him more about who she was and what he knew of her.
He also ate, getting his fill as he watched her. She watched as he tore off a piece of bread and plunged it into the stew and popped it into his mouth.
Adeline took another spoonful of stew, and continued to eat. There was something that upset her about his silence and that he said he owed her. For what could he possibly owe the likes of her? Have you gone mad Adeline? Remember that most people you have met have meant to trick you in some way or another. You must be on your guard, no matter how safe you feel with this handsome man.
William took the bottle of wine and poured some into his cup. Then he hovered it over her cup, and she nodded yes. But he only poured her a small amount, “So that the doctor can see your true level of pain on that knee when he comes. It will not do you good to be out of your wits.”
“Yes of course.”
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* * *
After they had eaten the noon meal, William laid a box in front of her on the table.
“What is this? It is quite large.”
“Open it,” he smiled.
She untied the ribbon and took off the lid. “Oh, what is this? I cannot...”
“I will not hear any protest. The dress you have is covered in dirt from that man’s ill manner of treatment toward you. I should have his neck.”
“What did happen to him?”
“I do not know. I left him drunk in the field. I am sure he wandered home at some point.”
She sighed. “He is the son of the family I am staying with and is not reflective of how they act. I would like to send word to them so that they are not worried.”
“The Carsons?”
“Yes, how did you...?”
“I went to the Green Tavern where you work and spoke with Angus. I showed him the portrait and said you were suffering from amnesia. I have nothing to hide from those folks. He said all wondered why you seemed like a lady, and would get word to his brother.”
“Oh good. Still I would like to send my own letter to them and to Hilda especially. You did not mention the attack did you?”
“I did.”
“William?! But...”
“They will have to deal with it. A man like that needs to be called out. He cannot go on doing what he is doing. But that way your friends understand your sudden departure.”
“Oh I do not know how I shall...”
“Do not worry of it. I will fetch paper and parchment when I next go to town for you to write your letters and I to write to Captain Byers and Katrina. For now, wash up and change,” he placed a large wash basin in front of her on the table and a cloth. Change into your new clothing. The doctor should be arriving shortly.”
“Perhaps I can get a little privacy, William?”
“Oh yes, of course.” He smiled and then walked outside.
* * *
William walked outsid,e giving her the privacy she asked for. He noted that her knee did not look any better, and that it would be quite a while before it was healed. He would not move her to Linwood, for being in a jostling carriage could worsen things.
She did not know what she was in for with his sisters. They would not be kind to her, so he wanted to wait until they were off to London anyway.
He walked toward the stable, leading the horse out into the open grassy area. “There you go, now. Do not stray far from home.” the horse lazily ate the grass around the cottage, knowing where his proper home was.
William knew that he liked the company that Adeline was providing, but he wanted the old Adeline, the one that knew there had been something between them.
This would not be easy.
He gave it time enough, and then walked back into the cottage. He found Adeline sitting at the table drinking a cup of water and dressed in the new dress. She looked something like her old self, the actress.
A Poor Girl's Peril (#4, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 15
