“You are too kind, sir,” Felicia said gravely. “But I do not think I can accept such charity. You do not know anything about me and, for all you know, the dowager and I would not suit.”
“Nonsense, my girl. Absolute nonsense. ’Tis not charity I am proposing, but a good position that will pay well. Now, excuse me while I go and make the arrangements.” He rose and was out of the room before Felicia could object further. However, his enthusiasm was infectious, and almost against her will Felicia felt a sense of optimism. There was no denying it would be quite unthinkable for her to go off to this Mrs. Barton in Manchester knowing nothing about herself but that her name was Felicia Richards. She resolved to write to Mrs. Barton and explain the predicament she found herself in. Maybe this information would persuade Mrs. Barton to keep the position open until she recovered. Having decided on this plan of action, she felt much better and even managed to smile at the consternation her letter would probably cause Mrs. Barton, whoever
she
was.
*
As he hurriedly descended the stairs, Dr. Ross was so elated at the opportunity to test his animal magnetism theories he didn’t notice Lord Umber hovering on the upper landing. For his part, Lord Umber’s attention was on the forthcoming encounter with the delectable morsel ensconced in the servants’ quarters. He knocked lightly on the door and, after Felicia answered “Come in, please,” he entered the shabby room.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Felicia, who looked frail and winsome with the white bandage bound tightly around her blond head. She looked nothing like the governess she was pretending to be. The little minx.
“You must be Lord Umber,” she said in a musical and slightly breathless voice, momentarily overawed by the magnificence of the handsome young man standing so tall and dark in the doorway. His fitted breeches seemed to be molded to his strong thighs, and his jacket, of pale blue superfine, was fitted to his gracefully muscular torso with all the skill his Saville Row tailor could command. With his classic features and dark curling hair, he was the most handsome man Felicia had ever seen. Except, she reminded herself, the only other man I can
remember
seeing is Dr. Ross. Felicia looked at him steadily. “You are correct in your presumption, Miss Richards,” he drawled languidly, an expression of boredom in his eyes. “Although I sometimes use another title.” He thought an explanation due, in case she had heard
him
introduce himself earlier as Sir Ian Gordon.
“I…I…do not know, m’lord. Has not Dr. Ross told you I have lost my memory?”
Lord Umber eyed her appreciatively. The bandage around her golden hair did not detract in the least from her beauty. He pulled himself together hastily as he realized Felicia was waiting for an answer. “No, I have not seen him since he visited with you, but you must not let the fact that you have lost your memory temporarily distress you.” What a charming charade. An artful baggage, pretending to have lost her memory!
Felicia looked at him gratefully. His easy assurances bolstered her sagging spirits. “Your belief in Dr. Ross’s abilities gives me great confidence,” she replied. “But I cannot feel happy about presuming on your hospitality.”
He liked her pretense at independence but quickly sought to bring her to the point. “Well, as to that, Miss Richards, I think I can set your mind to rest.”
“Sir!” she gasped indignantly, as he moved over to the bed and took her hand. “Please, sir!” She tried to draw her hand away without seeming too rude.
“Don’t be frightened,” he said lightly. “I am not going to harm you.” As though she were a child, he gently stroked her hand, which she had been unable to retrieve. “I have given some thought to your future, and methinks you will enjoy my solution.” He was surprised to see a faint blush tinge her cheeks.
Felicia was thoroughly alarmed by now. Lord Umber no longer looked languid, but like a panther ready to pounce. The bored look in his eyes had been replaced by an avid gaze.
Lord Umber took her silence as feigned modesty.
Egad,
he thought,
I believe she wants to be wooed
.
He chuckled to himself at the thought of the sport ahead. Her air of innocence only heightened his desire. She really was an original, like a delicate rosebud ready to burst into full bloom. Her lips had a provocative pout that barely concealed the obstinate set to her mouth that he had noted earlier. By God she was a tempting little thing!
He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “My suggestion is quite simple, really. I want you to live under my protection.”
Felicia relaxed slightly, totally misunderstanding the suggestion. She silently chided herself for her foolishness and gave him a hesitant smile. “Dr. Ross did mention that your mother was in need of a companion,” she concurred, “but as I told him we may not suit. However, if you think
…”
Felicia broke off as she saw Lord Umber arch his brows in surprise.
“He did, did he?” Lord Umber said carelessly. “I wonder what gave him that notion, for I assure you, my dear Miss Richards, that position was not quite what I had in mind for you. No. I have something more worldly for you. Something I know you will enjoy.”
“I cannot think what you mean,” Felicia said, sniffling loudly in an effort to stem the tears that were forming in her eyes. His presence was becoming oppressive. She was very tired, her head ached, and she wished he would go.
Lord Umber was amused by Felicia’s behavior, although her pose was growing a bit tiresome. The role of the innocent damsel she had adopted was enticing. He silently handed her his scented, lace handkerchief and watched as she blew her nose furiously.
“I am prepared to buy you a small house,” he said dramatically, making the decision to negotiate openly with the girl. “In fact, I know of one available immediately, in Richmond. Very pretty little place, it is. I would staff it fully, of course, and…and
…
” he paused as he thought of what else he could offer, “and…and apart from kitting you out in the very latest style, I will make you a very generous allowance.” He stood back, well pleased with his generosity, and pondered the stir Felicia would cause when he presented her to his friends.
Felicia’s smile froze as she realized she had sadly misunderstood her benefactor. With a cry of indignation she snatched her hand away, only to be overwhelmed by Lord Umber’s strength as he gathered her into his arms and pressed his mouth to hers.
“Oh! my little beauty,” he whispered hoarsely in her ear, one hand exploring her body. “We shall deal famously together, you and I.”
Hot anger swept over Felicia. How dare he take such liberties with her. With a strength born of fury, she twisted away from the bombardment of fervent kisses.
Lord Umber looked down and saw that her fists were clenched, the knuckles a livid white. He was an experienced lover, and it was all too obvious that this woman’s reluctance was not feigned.
“How dare you, m’lord,” she cried out, her eyes flashing furiously as she quickly pulled herself away. “Whatever have I done to deserve that?” She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, as if trying to erase even the memory of his kisses.
“Don’t tell me you have never been kissed afore!” Lord Umber said abashed, a horrible suspicion growing in his mind.
Felicia lowered her head in confusion. Her heart was still beating rapidly, and the sensations his hand had caused in her body were perplexing. Frightening, yet not distasteful. “I cannot answer that, m’lord,” she said icily, “for I cannot remember. I can only tell you that I cannot recall ever having to endure such disrespect.” She spoke instinctively, an inner knowledge telling her that Lord Umber was behaving disgracefully.
There was a quiet dignity about her that made Lord Umber pause. It occurred to
him
that Jason Hobbs and the old woman might easily have misled him, deliberately or not. No doubt of her being from the servant class, but her responses to his advances left
him
convinced she was a virgin. Somehow, this enhanced her appeal for him…the kisses he had just stolen had been like nectar. He was eager for more.
Felicia stared at him aghast, feeling ill-equipped to deal with her conflicting emotions.
“I beg you to leave me alone,” she said quietly, her indignation made plain in her tone of voice. She felt shaken, as she recoiled instinctively from all Lord Umber’s overtures.
He looked at her intently. “I do believe you are serious,” he drawled, concealing beneath a vague smile the genuine surprise and embarrassment he felt at having forced himself on an innocent “I am sorry to have offended you. I do hope you will forget my suggestion and consider Dr. Ross’s proposal, for I have a feeling that you and mama will deal admirably together.”
Before Felicia could decide whether to reply to his insultingly casual apology, he was gone, throwing her a careless wave as he closed the door behind him. She stared at the door in annoyance. She certainly had no intention of remaining at Alverston to be further subjected to his loutish importunities.
Her mind made up, she got out of bed and gingerly walked to the closet. Once she was dressed, she thought, it would be easy enough to slip downstairs and out of the house. Finding a stagecoach stop might be difficult, but if it meant walking five miles she would gladly do so, for she was determined to have nothing more to do with the arrogant earl.
Three
Felicia came upon an upstairs maid, who
was polishing the already gleaming brass rail, as she left her room.
“Oh! Miss,” the maid gasped, “you frightened me. I didn’t think to see you up for a day or more.”
Felicia smiled at her wanly. “I am sorry to have startled you,” she said. “But I really feel much better now, and I think it best to be on my way.”
“I dunno about that,” the maid responded slowly, “for the doctor was most particular about me keeping an eye on you. And he’s not a man what worries himself unduly.”
“That is absurd, for I am feeling much better now. Really I am, as you can see,” Felicia protested. “So please don’t be concerned. I must be on my way, for I am undertaking a new position and I do not think my prospective mistress will look kindly on my tardy behavior.”
The maid nodded in understanding. “I know what you mean,” she agreed sympathetically. “It’s so difficult nowadays to get anything ’alf-way decent.”
Felicia smiled at her, thankful that she had the maid’s understanding. “Then you must know how I feel,” she confided. “I know Lord Umber and Dr. Ross are well-meaning, but they cannot possibly realize what it means to be out of work.”
“You’re so right, miss, but even so I think I should obey orders. Otherwise I will be out looking for work meself.” The maid pulled a wry face and bobbed a curtsy.
Felicia was about to protest, but sensed the futility of it as the maid turned and ran down the stairs. Sullenly, Felicia returned to her room and sat down disconsolately. Her sense of frustration deepened as she realized the enormity of her situation. No money, no friends, no memory.
“I feel like a prisoner,” she muttered to herself, “and the sooner I tell this Dr. Ross that I cannot possibly stay and help him, the better. For all I know, his intentions are the same as Lord Umber’s, although he seemed honorable.”
She turned quickly as a voice broke into her musings. “I beg your pardon,” she said, as she looked up at Dr. Ross. “I did not hear you come in.”
“Whatever has happened to overset you so?” Dr. Ross, asked kindly. “I cannot allow a patient of mine to become so overwrought.”
Felicia glanced at him impatiently. “’Tis nothing, doctor,” she replied hastily. “I have merely decided to waste no time in getting to Manchester and now find that I cannot leave because a maid has been told to watch me.” She paused, waiting for Dr. Ross to explain his actions. He looked at her shrewdly, but said nothing. “Anyway,” Felicia continued lamely, “it is wrong that I should impose myself on strangers, especially when I am expected elsewhere.”
“I see,” Dr. Ross said at last. “I am told that Lord Umber paid you a visit. Mayhap he said something that unnerved you? And I apologize for the maid,” he continued, not waiting for a reply to his question, “but Lord Umber has a…a…reputation,” he paused again, hesitant to express his real reason for wanting to protect Felicia, “
…
and…and I thought it best to leave you some protection, flimsy though it was.”
Felicia felt a blush creep up her neck at his perceptiveness, but she managed to maintain her composure. “No, no, Lord Umber has said nothing to disturb me,” she answered quickly, not understanding why she did not reveal what had really happened. “It is just that I know I would be happier away from here.”
“Come, come, Miss Richards. I have known Lord Umber since we were in shorttails together, and if he has upset you, I beg you to forget it.” Dr. Ross’s voice was grave. “I cannot let you risk the possibility that you may never remember who you are, which is something you must face up to if you leave Alverston.”
Felicia held back a sob. “That is too terrible to even contemplate,” she whispered, “I…”
“Then my advice, Miss Richards, is to forget about whatever you and Lord Umber discussed. Underneath the veneer of irresponsibility, he is the kindest of men. I personally believe his father’s death affected him more than even he realizes. The only worry you should bother about is your own well-being.” Dr. Ross paused for a moment as he thought of Lord Umber. He had been devoted to his father, and to have actually witnessed him falling to his death six years earlier must have scarred the young man’s mind. “You must let yourself be guided by me,” Dr. Ross continued as he walked over to Felicia and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “It is all arranged for you to become Lady Louisa’s companion. Indeed, she is most anxious for you to start your duties. And I will have a word with Lord Umber and insure that you are not bothered in the future.”