Page 39 of A Countess Captured for the Captain
“And if you could not remember anything of your past? How would that be?” Samantha asked, and Rebecca was forced to agree that it would not be ideal.
She herself could not quite believe that Nox’s uncle and aunt intended deception. They had welcomed her – if somewhat formally – and made no objection to the marriage. But Samantha was used to being wary of others and to questioning their motivation. After all, she had endured Regina for many years and Regina was just the sort to keep secrets to her own advantage and cause trouble where trouble was not needed. Try as she might, Samantha could not settle her mind and she hoped desperately that soon Nox himself would recover those memories which his uncle and aunt were furnishing him with.
“But you must feel so happy to be married, Samantha,” Catherine said, as they walked on together through the park.
“I do, I must confess that when Rebecca was married, I thought I never would be – that I never wanted to be. But now that I am, I realize what a true delight it is,” she replied.
Despite her misgivings over memory, Samantha knew that her marriage to Nox was born out of love, and in that fact, she was eminently happy. He was like no man she had ever known before, her soul mate, the man she had been destined to marry, if one believed in such things as fate and destiny.
“I was the same,” Rebecca said, glancing at Samantha, who smiled.
“And now you have your child, perhaps another to come?” she said, and Rebecca blushed.
“We have not ruled out a second child,” she replied.
“The thought is not for me, not at all,” Catherine said, wrinkling her nose, as Samantha and Rebecca laughed.
“But how do you know you will not fall in love with the next man who comes around this corner?” Samantha said, as they came to a fork in the path, one way leading to the ornamental gardens and the other toward the Serpentine.
As it happened, a number of young men appeared that moment, talking loudly with one another and behaving in that boisterous manner which comes when groups of young men are together. Catherine smiled and shook her head.
“It would have to be a very special man to make me fall in love,” she replied.
“Do not dismiss it so readily. The very point of falling in love is that the man is special,” Samantha said, just as a shout came from behind them.
“Samantha, oh, Samantha, I have been searching desperately for you,” Nox exclaimed, hurrying breathlessly up to them, and bowing to Catherine and Rebecca, who looked at him in amazement, as they returned his bow.
“Whatever is wrong, Nox?” Samantha asked, thinking that some awful tragedy had befallen them.
“Achilles!” he exclaimed, “I have remembered Achilles.”
* * *
Samantha was delighted that Nox had at last remembered something of his past independent of his uncle and aunt. Having bid farewell to Catherine and Rebecca, the two of them walked arm in arm back toward the house, as Nox explained with much enthusiasm his memories of the long-deceased dog. Achilles had been his faithful companion in boyhood, often getting Nox into trouble, the two of them sharing all manner of adventures around the estates.
“If you can remember Achilles, then perhaps that is the key to remembering more about other things, too,” Samantha said, and Nox nodded excitedly.
“That is precisely what I thought, too. He was my constant companion, always at my side. If I can remember him, then surely I can remember the things I did with him,” he said, looking at her excitedly.
“Did he come on the voyage?” she asked, and Nox shook his head.
“I cannot remember, but I suppose he must have done. I cannot imagine that I would have wished to leave him at home. My parents, by all accounts, indulged me in most any whim, and surely they would have permitted him to accompany us on the voyage. I will have to ask my uncle and aunt,” Nox replied.
They had come in sight of the house now and Samantha paused, turning to Nox, who appeared extremely excited as to this discovery. He was like an archaeologist, uncovering some great unknown treasure, and now sharing it with the world.
“Nox, do you think your uncle and aunt have told you the truth?” she asked, and he sighed.
“I can only presume they have. We have spoken of this before, Samantha. I trust them, they have been good to me – to us – why would they not tell the truth?” he asked, and that seemed to be the end of the matter.
But Samantha still had her doubts, and as they entered the hallway a few moments later, Nox’s aunt came to greet them, ushering Nox away.
“Your uncle and I would speak to you, Nox,” she said, glancing at Samantha with an expression which suggested that Samantha make herself scarce.
“I will find you later, Samantha?” Nox said, and Samantha forced her face into a smile.
“I am sure you will uncover further memories yourself,” she said, returning Bernadette’s expression.
The maid brought her tea and Samantha sat in the same sitting room where she and Nox had made love just a few days before. She felt uncomfortable at the rift which was opening between them, a rift created by Nox’s uncle and aunt, who seemed intent on keeping things hidden from Samantha, things of importance to them both.
