It made me want to forget everything that happened and start over with her.
I had the urge to wrap my arm around her waist, pull her in and kiss her until we were both breathless, but I kept a good arm’s distance away. I had to keep reminding myself that she viewed me as a stranger and a gesture like that might be unwelcome. After our honeymoon, I hadn’t understood why she’d pulled away.
Of course, now I did. It had a name…Leo.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, brows furrowing. “You seem sad all of a sudden.” She glanced down. “Is it the dress? I can change.”
“No, don’t. Please.” I caught both of her hands before she could turn around. The contact felt good, and despite my earlier decision not to make a move on her, I found myself inching closer, wanting to hold her the way I used to before everything fell apart. I leaned forward and rested my forehead against hers, releasing a slow breath. “Tu es belle, Annette.”
“Is that French?” she whispered.
I didn’t budge…just stayed where I was, hoping she wouldn’t pull away from me. “Yes. I nearly forgot you only remember English. It means: You are beautiful.”
“You think so?”
“Yes.” We were closer now, and I could easily close the distance and brush my lips against hers. I considered it for a second, counted the reasons I should do it, as well as the reasons I shouldn’t. Maybe my advances wouldn’t be unwelcome. I could always give her time to move away. “Tu es la femme de mes rêves. You are the woman of my dreams.” I closed my eyes and dragged my lips across her cheek, reveling in the sensation of her smooth skin. I let go of her hands and placed my fingers on her face. “J'ai envie de t'embrasser. I want to kiss you.”
“You do?” she asked, her breath stuttering, eyelashes lowering.
“Yes. Very much.” My heart throbbed in my chest—I could hear it in my ears, pulsing, thrashing, throwing a fit because it needed to be closer to her. “Do you want me to kiss you?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” Her eyes heated, and that was the moment I knew we were on the same page.
I leaned in and lowered my lips to hers, but before they made contact, someone cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, sir, but your mother sent me to find you. She said everyone is waiting, and she would like to begin right away.”
I nearly groaned before glancing at Raphael, irritation burning in every muscle of my body. “Tell my mother we will be down shortly.”
He bowed his head and turned, fleeing down the stairs.
I sucked in a breath and let it out. What was I doing? My desire for her was running rampant, but I needed to keep my emotions under control. She didn’t remember her duplicity but she would, eventually. And when that happened, we would have to have a discussion. I would not tolerate unfaithfulness, not even from the woman I had loved my entire life. Divorce or annulment was still an option, but if I kissed her, it would only complicate things.
Moving back, I cleared my throat. “We should go. Mother doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“But what about? You were going to…”
If I wasn’t mistaken, there was hope in her eyes…and longing. But how long would that really last?
“J'ai changé d'avis.” I changed my mind.
She stared at me, expecting a translation, but I was weakening by the moment and didn’t want to spare another minute. “We should go.”
***
After the luncheon, Annette I went back to our own rooms to change into more comfortable clothing, and I told her I would come to her room in a few minutes to watch a movie. I’d almost canceled on her since things had gotten heated earlier. I couldn’t allow myself to get close to her like that again, but I had promised to spend time with her and didn’t want to break my word.
After I changed, Raphael knocked on my door and stepped into the room. “Here’s the movie you requested.” He handed it to me and cleared his throat. “Oh, and Georgina has been trying to reach you. She wants an update on her sister.”
I sighed and tried not to roll my eyes. We’d just spoken yesterday and nothing had changed since then. She’d been calling me more than she called her own sister, and I was sure it was because she felt awkward getting reacquainted with Annette, but that was something we all had to overcome.
Back in our high school years, Georgina had a mad crush on me, and it had caused a lot of friction with Annette, but Georgina had matured since then and moved on. On occasion, I got this inkling she still had a thing for me. It was always subtle, and it never lasted, but, even so, I could tell she envied Annette and wanted the things she had. It was part of why they struggled to get along.
“Please inform her that Annette and I are about to watch a movie, so I can’t talk now. You can let her know everything is fine.”
“Very good.” He nodded and left the room.
I knocked on the adjoining door between our bedrooms and waited.
“Come in,” Annette said, her voice soft.
I opened the door and walked into her room, my eyes settling on her immediately. No matter what she wore, she looked beautiful. She’d changed into a pair of sweats and a bulky sweatshirt, and that brought a smile to my face because the old Annette never put on clothes like that even when she wanted to relax.
“You look comfortable.”
“I am.” She smiled, holding a note card in her hand with an emblem of a dragon on the front. “Lydia just gave this to me. It’s from Beatriz. I met her yesterday at the garden party.”
“What does it say?”
“She wanted me to know she’s available if I ever want to talk. She was really sweet.” She set the card down on her desk and glanced at me cautiously. “She mentioned the two of you used to date. Is that true?”
“Briefly. A long time ago.”
“Why didn’t it work out?” She appeared curious, but there was also a spark of jealousy in her eyes. “She’s quite attractive.”
“My mother encouraged that. Her father is a baron and Mother thought we would make a great match.”
“Did you love her?”
“No, I didn’t.” I frowned. “You were with Leo at the time, and I was trying to get over you. Beatriz is a nice woman, but I missed you the entire time I was with her.”
She smiled then, appearing relieved. “I can’t wait to watch this movie with you.”
“It was your favorite,” I said, holding it up. “You were always a fan of the older classics.”
“I somehow knew that. What is the movie?”
“Suspicion. It’s a Hitchcock movie. Does it ring a bell?”
She shook her head slowly. “No, I wish it did.”
“Well, maybe once we start watching it, you’ll remember.”
We headed to her sitting room, and she settled on the couch while I set everything up. I sat down next to her, making sure I kept a good two feet between us and then started the movie.
Once the music and beginning credits commenced, Annette scooted closer to me. “Is this something we used to do a lot?”
I shrugged. “Not a lot but occasionally.”
“Did we like to cuddle?”
I stared at her incredulously. “Seriously?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you never wanted to cuddle. You said it interfered with the movie-watching experience.” She wasn’t one to give a lot of hugs, not that she never did, but she wasn’t the touchy-feely type.
“Oh.” She frowned and appeared to contemplate that. “It’s strange hearing about this person I used to be when my inclinations are all different now.”
She was feeling the inclination to cuddle with me? Strangely, her words gave me hope. Maybe we did have a chance if she viewed things differently this time around.
“Can I?” she asked.
“Can you what?”
“Cuddle with you. I think I might like to try it.”
“Umm.” My back stiffened, and I wasn’t sure that was such a go
od idea, but she was looking at me with such a hopeful expression, I couldn’t say no. “I suppose.” I motioned for her to come closer, and once she did, I put my arm loosely around her shoulders and drew her in.
She rested her head underneath my shoulder and let out a sigh. “This is really nice.”
“Yes, it is.” And I meant it.
We both quieted and watched the movie. I ran my hand up and down her arm, liking the feel of her so close. My head was starting to get a little fuzzy, so I shifted and told myself to pull it together and concentrate on the television.
It had been a long time since I’d seen this movie. It had a suspenseful tone, and as we got more into it, I began to remember the storyline and why the title, Suspicion, fit it so well. The actress, Joan Fontaine, played a loving wife who adored her playboy husband, but she started to suspect him of murder. He was trying to gain access to money in order to pay off his debts, and every scheme he entered seemed shady in some way. Cary Grant portrayed the husband, and he did a good job of making you wonder if he was good or bad.
When we got to the place where she found out her husband had contacted the insurance company for money, and they told him he couldn’t receive anything unless his wife died, Annette straightened and pulled away, suddenly. Her eyes were huge, and she bit down on her bottom lip and leaned forward, gaze glued to the screen.
“It’s kind of intense, isn’t it?” I asked.
She nodded and scooted further away, looking at me warily. “Yes. Why did you choose this movie again?”
“Because it’s your favorite.”
She wrinkled her nose like something wasn’t sitting right with her. “Why would I enjoy a story about a man who wants to kill his wife? That’s just…weird.”
I paused the movie so we wouldn’t miss anything. “You have to watch the whole thing. She suspects him, but is she right to suspect? That’s the question.”
She looked at me then—really looked at me. “We’ve never discussed who tried to kill my aunt, and if they wanted to kill me.”
I nodded slightly. “I didn’t want to cause you any worry, but I assure you, I’ve been keeping tabs on the police. They’re doing everything they can to figure it out. Eventually, Sophie will come out of her coma, and we’ll have more answers.”
“Do you think someone wants to kill me too?”
“I certainly hope not.” The thought was disturbing, but it wasn’t something I hadn’t discussed in depth with the police and our security team. I’d put more protective measures in place and expanded Annette’s security detail as well. There were always multiple people watching out for her when we went out, and we made sure no one entered the castle who wasn’t scheduled to be there.
“How do I know you didn’t want to hurt me?”
My eyes widened. “Me? I would never hurt you.”
“But I don’t remember much about our relationship.” She ran her hands through her hair, frustrated. “Were you angry with me? Sometimes I get the sense you were.”
My head jerked back, and I turned, not able to meet her eyes. This was not the time to tell her what she’d done, and besides, I was starting to think that I didn’t want her to remember. Maybe we could put all of it behind us and forget the stuff with Leo ever happened.
“We had arguments like all couples do.”
“Was that all or was there more to it?” She was looking at me skeptically, and I didn’t blame her because I was having a difficult time behaving as if none of this fazed me. I wasn’t a very good liar—never had been.
“You were distant after the wedding,” I said. “There were days that I rarely caught a glimpse of you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Did I suspect you of something?”
“I don’t know. You never made any accusations.”
“You could tell me anything right now, and I wouldn’t know the difference.” She let out a sound of frustration. “I just want my memories back.”
I reached out to take her hand, but she pulled away. Okay, not a good idea. “Look, our marriage was a little troubled, but I would never hurt you.” I turned to her, making sure to meet her eyes. “That’s not the type of man I am. Ask anyone who is close to me.”
“Who is going to tell me the prince has a dark side?”
I couldn’t help it—I had to laugh. “A dark side?”
“Yeah. You know what I mean.”
“Well, if you’re looking for dirt, speak to my sister. She’ll have no problem talking about my flaws, but she’ll vouch for me. I would never harm anyone.”
She let out a breath and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to accuse you of anything. It’s just hard being in this situation, not knowing who I can trust.”
“You can trust me.”
“Can I?” She opened her eyes and studied me intently.
“Yes. I’m in your corner, Annette. I always have been.”
Chapter 7
Annette
I was so mixed up about everything. One moment I wanted to be close to Edward, wanted him to kiss me, and the next, I was suspecting him of foul play. He was definitely hiding something, but I didn’t know what. It was becoming more and more difficult to figure out who I could trust and who had it out for me. But such was life right now, and I had to get used to it.
Sunday evening, after we’d watched the movie, I’d done some online research on dissociative amnesia, but it hadn’t relieved my fears in any way. Some people never got their memories back, and I couldn’t imagine having to go through life not knowing anything about my past except what others told me.
I viewed a documentary called Unknown White Male about a man named Doug Bruce. It was a true story about a guy who woke up on a Coney Island subway and couldn’t remember who he was or where he was headed. He learned he used to be a stockbroker, and friends described him as outgoing and intense, but everything changed afterward…even his personality. His friends and family said he was a totally different person in the way he responded to things. In some ways, I found that comforting because I was experiencing the very same thing.
In the documentary, Doug Bruce got to the point where he no longer cared if he remembered, and the narrator implied that his brain was protecting him from something. That was where we were different. I would do anything to recall my past, but it was like this wall stood in the way, blocking me.
But I hoped today would shed light on a few things. It was Monday morning, and I had asked Edward to contact my father to see if he would be willing to meet with me. I had a lot of questions about my mother, and I didn’t feel comfortable talking with Georgina this time. I dressed and headed down to the first-floor drawing room where I’d arranged for our meeting to take place. Edward had offered to go with me, but I’d told him I was fine on my own.
I didn’t have to wait long because Henry, the butler, showed my father in minutes after I arrived. “Thank you for coming,” I said.
He nodded and lowered himself on a couch situated across from where I sat. The drawing room had an old-world feel to it, almost as if Queen Anne had left things as they’d been in the early eighteen hundreds. From the austere brocade drapes to the light blue Eastlake furniture, to the vintage piano—time had stopped in this room.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner,” he said, “but I was trying to give you space.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, actually.”
He leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “How are you coping with everything?”
“As best I can. Sometimes it’s hard to fathom my life took the direction it did…being a part of the royal family. You know what I mean.” It was a statement, not a question.
“I imagine it must seem incredible, but you were always larger than life, Annette. We all knew you would slide into this role seamlessly.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Edward said I avoided him after we married. Do you know why I would do that?”
He frowned and shook his head. “I didn’t realize. Tha
t doesn’t sound like you.”
Disappointment washed through me. Maybe a part of me was hoping he’d have an alternate reason for my actions, something that had nothing to do with Leo.
“When you arranged for me to marry Edward, did you believe we loved each other? Or was it strictly a business deal?”
His forehead creased. “I want you to know that I would never have made such a deal if I’d thought you were against it. You loved Edward. You always have. You were completely on board with the idea.”
“Did he love me?”
He stared at me incredulously, his brows pinched together. “Why ever would you ask such a thing? Hasn’t he told you he loves you?”
Come to think of it, since I’d woken up with no memory, he hadn’t mentioned his love for me at all, and that was a disturbing realization, but I didn’t want to worry John and have him get too involved in our affairs. “Oh, sure, but I’m asking about his feelings before the marriage took place.”
Again, he seemed surprised. “I’m shocked no one has told you—”
“They have but I want your point of view.”
He smiled. “From the time you were a young girl, Edward followed you around like he was lost if you didn’t acknowledge him, and you felt much the same way.”
I stiffened my back, gathering courage for my next question. “What about Leo? How did he fit in?”
He pursed his lips and glanced to the side. “Leo was…persistent, and he was always there, waiting in the wings when you and Edward broke up. I never approved of him, but you did a lot of things without my approval.” He said it in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Why were Edward and I continually breaking up? I’m trying to understand our relationship better.”
“You didn’t ask him?”
“He’s very distant at times, and his answers are often vague. He’s holding back, but I don’t know why.”
“You two are very different people. You were boisterous and outgoing, while Edward was more on the quiet, reserved side. It was an opposites-attract type of situation. You didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but that didn’t mean you weren’t drawn to each other like magnets. No matter how often you grew frustrated and thought about ending the relationship, you would always find each other again. There was no separating you two.”
The Prince's Bewildered Bride (The Blushing Brides Book 5) Page 6
