Page 8 of A Duke to Restore her Memory

Sebastian glanced covertly at Georgina as they walked into the stables at Newquay Hall. She was flushed – there were two bright pink spots on her cheeks, which brought out the green in her eyes quite brilliantly.

She is excited that the saddle might hold the clue to her identity. And she is excited that she is starting to remember vague things about her life. It is a good start.

He rubbed his neck ruefully. They had been out for the entire morning with the sun beating down on them, and his neck was a bit burnt.

Still, he wouldn’t change it for the world. He had enjoyed wandering along the cliffs with her immensely, and she had been so warm and friendly towards his workers, asking them questions, seemingly genuinely interested in them. But none of them had recognized her.

She is a kind, clever woman, along with being a beautiful one.

His breath caught in his throat as he gazed at her. She had so much energy and spirit. She was trying so hard to tackle her lack of memory.

She could have been still lying in bed, giving up, depressed and dejected that she had lost her entire life’s memories. But instead, she was vibrant, and her suggestion that there might be a clue on the saddle to her identity was a good one.

“Can I see the horse first?” she asked quietly, her face tightening. “For some reason, I really want to see it.”

Sebastian nodded. “Of course.”

They walked along the stables slowly. The horses put their heads out expectantly, looking for a scratch or an apple, but Sebastian didn’t stop until they got to the very end, where a sleek black horse was enclosed.

“Here we are,” he said jovially. “Here is the horse.”

Georgina hesitated, visibly gulping, staring at the horse. Something flickered in her green eyes, and Sebastian’s heart shifted.

“Do you recognize the horse?” He stared at her. “Are you having a memory of riding it that day … or any other day?”

“I … I do not know,” she whispered, tilting her head to the side as she gazed at the beast, her eyes wide. “I feel that I recognize the horse … and as if its name is on the tip of my tongue … it is so maddening …!”

At the sound of her voice, the horse pricked up its ears, then turned to her. Slowly, it walked towards her, placing its nose over the stable gate, whinnying loudly. Sebastian could barely breathe. It was patently obvious that the horse recognized her.

“Greetings, she said in a faltering voice, holding out a hand and scratching behind its left ear. “You are very beautiful. You are a beautiful boy.”

The horse whinnied again, nuzzling her. Georgina looked surprised, then gratified, giggling warmly, and Sebastian grinned.

“It appears you have a friend,” he said, reaching out and patting the horse. “This horse knows you well, Georgina.”

“If only it could speak,” she said ruefully. “If only it could tell me who I was … and lead me towards my home.”

He sighed heavily. “Yes. But at least we know that the horse does belong to you. You were definitely riding it that day.” He frowned. “You must have dismounted for a short break in your journey … and that is when you fell into the mine shaft.”

She kept murmuring to the horse, nudging her with its nose. She seemed lost in a reverie or a silent communication with the beast and appeared to have forgotten about him entirely.

“I will get the saddle,” he said, smiling slightly.

She jumped slightly. “Oh! Yes, of course.” She took a deep breath. “We must look at the saddle.”

They walked together to the small room where the saddles were kept.

A strong smell of leather hit him in the face when he opened the door. He knew where the saddle the horse had been wearing that day was – the stable master had placed it in the far corner of the room, and it hadn’t been moved at all.

“Here it is,” he said, grabbing the saddle and hauling it out of the room. It was heavy.

He placed it on the ground. They both bent to examine it. It was made of the finest, most expensive leather, embossed with a fine, swirling pattern.

His eyes narrowed as he examined it closely, looking for any mark or insignia – a brand of some kind – which might indicate where this saddle had come from or even who made it. But there was nothing.

His lips thinned as he turned it over, examining its underside. Nothing. His heart plummeted in disappointment, so he could only imagine how she felt. He glanced at her. Tears were swimming in her eyes as she shook her head.

“How disappointing,” she whispered, running a hand through her hair. “I had such high hopes.”

Sebastian shrugged. “I know. But it was worth a try, at least.”

He picked up the saddle, taking it back to the room. When he returned, she had walked over to the horse again, petting it and whispering to it. The horse obviously relished the attention.

“Do you like getting your ear scratched?” she whispered to the beast. “Do you?”

“It is a fine saddle,” said Sebastian with a sigh. “A very expensive saddle …”

She jumped, seemingly startled. “I did not steal it, if that is what you are implying,” she interjected in a defensive voice. “I know you are going to ask me how I know that I did not … but I just do.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I know that I could never do such a thing.”

Sebastian’s heart shifted in his chest. She sounded and looked so vulnerable. She leaned against the horse as if seeking reassurance and comfort. The horse obliged, nickering softly, butting its nose softly against her.

“I was not implying anything of the sort,” he said gently. “It was just a general observation. That is all.”

She slumped, exhaling slowly, turning to look at him.

“I am sorry,” she said, her bottom lip trembling. “I know that I spoke rashly.” She took a long, deep breath. “It is just so terribly frustrating. I had pinned such hopes on the saddle revealing something about me … or where I am from. I did not mean to take my frustration out on you, Your Grace.”

He smiled slowly. “I am not offended, Georgina. You do not need to apologize. I understand how frustrated you must be.” His eyes flickered over her. “Your memory will return, you know. Give it time. Be patient.”

She stifled a sob. “How can I be patient? I am here because of your kindness and generosity …Newquay Hall is a wonderful place, but it is not my home.” She hesitated. “I am your guest, but where do I fit in? I am not a servant, but nor am I an equal to you …no one knows how to treat me, for they cannot pin me in place without knowing my status in the world … I feel as if I am stuck in a netherworld. A strange limbo.”

He gazed at her steadily, noticing that she was gripping the horse’s head so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

Oddly, the horse didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it was gazing at her, its velvet brown eyes filled with softness. The horse knew her well – the horse loved her. It was as plain as the nose on his face.

The horse is expensive. And it belongs to her. If she had stolen it, it would not be acting this way towards her. And if it loves her, then that tells me that she may indeed have been born a lady … very few people can afford a horse like this.

“I understand your confusion,” he said in a gentle voice. “You do not need to feel as if you are here under sufferance, Georgina. I said that I would look after you until you are well and have fully recovered your memory, and I meant it.”

She gazed at him. “You are so very kind,” she said in a faltering voice. “I am a complete stranger to you. You have no idea who I am, yet you have opened your home to me. I am so grateful.”

A warmth stole over him. Embarrassed, he coughed into his hand, shifting on his feet. There was an awkward silence, and tension filled the air. He noticed that her cheeks had turned pink again.

A stable hand walked towards them. “I have a message from Lady Lydia, Your Grace,” said the boy. “She asked if you would care to join her and Lady Frances for luncheon on the far balcony, as it is such a nice day.”

Sebastian sighed. He really needed to spend some time with his sister and her friend. They had only arrived last night, and he had been out all morning with Georgina.

“Tell Lady Lydia I will be along presently,” he said.

“Very good, Your Grace.” The boy bowed and left.

Sebastian turned back to Georgina, hesitating. He wanted to ask her to join them for luncheon, but he knew his sister wouldn’t approve.

Georgina had told the truth – she was walking in a strange limbo, a twilight world where no one knew how to act towards her. No one knew her position in the world.

If she were a servant or a governess, then she could not be invited to sit down and dine with a duke and ladies as an equal. It was not the done thing at all.

A feeling of regret stole over him. It was a pity. He wanted to spend more time with her. He didn’t want to leave her. It was most curious.

“I will be fine,” said Georgina, smiling at him as if she had read his mind. “Please, go and have your luncheon.”

He hesitated again, feeling a bit ashamed. “I can accompany you back to the house if you like …?”

She laughed, shaking her head. It seemed her good mood had been restored. “I want to spend some more time with the horse,” she said slowly. “For some reason, it feels good being with him. He calms me.”

He nodded. “I understand. If not for your injury, I would suggest taking him for a ride around the estate. But it is probably not a good idea in the circumstances. I would be fearful you may fall.”

“Yes, I would be fearful, too,” she said, her face twisting. “It is enough just to be with him for now.”

Sebastian nodded again. “Well, I will leave you to it, then.” He paused, looking at her intently. “I am sorry that the saddle proved to be a dead end. And that taking you to the scene of your fall did not unlock your memory fully. We will try again.”

“Thank you,” she said shyly. “For everything.”

He hesitated, nodding, then turned, striding away. Then he stopped, gazing back at her. She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at the horse, speaking softly to it again, caressing it. She seemed lost in her own world entirely.

His heart contorted with emotion. There was something so sweet and heartwarming watching the beautiful young woman with the horse and the obvious bond between them. Reluctantly, he turned away, striding out of the stables. Georgina was quite remarkable. He just wished he knew who she truly was.