Page 40 of Tamed By a Passionate Lady
“How is the memory going?” asked Reuben suddenly, fixing him with a penetrative gaze. “Is anything coming back to you?”
James shook his head slowly. “No. Not even a glimmer of memory of the past five years. It is as if my mind has frozen at that point. It is most disconcerting…”
“I am sure it will come back,” said Isabel knowingly, coughing slightly, into her handkerchief. “I spoke to Dr. Brown about it, and he told me that your memories are all still there, James. It just sometimes takes awhile for them to emerge after such trauma to the head.”
James gazed at her, smiling indulgently. He had noticed that Isabel was always seeking out Dr. Brown when he was here, questioning the man thoroughly about his progress. It was very sweet that she was so concerned, but he had got the impression that it wasn’t only her interest in his recovery that was motivating her. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the doctor himself who interested Isabel.
His smile widened. It still amazed him that she was a young woman who might be thinking along those lines. His last memory of her was as a very young teenager, still a child, really. She had grown up, but it was as if he was still expecting her to talk about toys and games like she always had.
“It must be hard,” said Reuben. “Not remembering your dear wife. I have noticed that you are spending a lot of time together. But even that has not been enough, for you to recall even a smidgeon of how it once was, between you both?”
James shrugged his shoulders. “I do not remember anything about Adaline, or our life together,” he said slowly. “But I know that she is a beautiful, charming woman. It is no hardship, to spend time with her, and start the process of falling in love with her all over again.”
Isabel coughed, quite violently, into her handkerchief. But Reuben ignored his sister, fixing James with that same penetrative stare.
“I would not push her, old chap,” he said, in a pleasant tone. “Perhaps you should spend less time with her, not more, until she gets used to having such a different man in the house. I can occupy her, if you like. A duty which I am willing to carry out to aid your recovery.”
James felt a flicker of irritation. “No, I do not believe that is the way to proceed,” he said quickly. “Adaline is enjoying our time together as much as I am. The sooner that we establish our connection, the better. Besides, it will surely jog my memory sooner or later.”
Reuben’s lips thinned. “As you wish,” he said in a cold voice, putting down his teacup. Abruptly, he smiled. “You say that your memory stops five years ago. But the doctor also said that there are gaps in your memory prior to that time, as well. Do you recall anything of the year before your father’s death? What you were doing…the people who you were associating with?”
James stared at him. “I remember you, if that is what you mean…”
Reuben smiled. “Yes, and that is gratifying, but we have known each other since we were lads,” he said. “I am talking about that particular year. You have no recollection of what you did in that time?”
James frowned. “I remember the Athenaeum…going to work with Father…but it is all a little hazy. There is nothing in particular that stands out to me. Nothing noteworthy, at least.” He paused. “Is there a reason that you ask? Something that I should remember?”
Reuben looked oddly satisfied. “No, there is nothing. I am just trying to jog your memory, as the doctor suggested.”
James nodded. The year before his father’s death was very hazy; it was as if his memory was slowly diminishing, up until the point at which it stopped entirely. He remembered his father’s funeral and burial as clear as day, but there was not much else. He did remember that he had felt an urgency to leave Liverpool. But he had put that down to grief.
The door opened. Adaline walked into the room, smiling. “I am sorry that I am late,” she said, sitting down in her usual seat, placing her napkin on her lap. “I must have been very tired last night, and overslept.”
James stared at his wife, his heart thumping uncomfortably in his chest. He had been dreaming of her, at the foot of the stairs, just ten minutes ago. And now, that fierce longing reawakened, as if a flame had been ignited quite suddenly within him.
She was impeccably dressed and coiffed, as always, her jet black hair swept into an elegant chignon. Today, she wore a gown of palest peach. He had never seen it on her before, and the colour suited her, contrasting with the darkness of her skin.
“Where did you get that gown?” he smiled, leaning towards her. “I hope that it was a gift from me. The colour becomes you, so well.”
Without thinking he leaned further, placing a hand over hers, where it rested on the table.
She gasped at the touch. He felt her trembling, and her beautiful brown eyes glittered with pleasure. But she recovered quickly, taking a deep breath as she gazed back at him.
“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks dimpling in the most charming way. “No, it was not a gift. I do believe that I have had this since before we were married.” She paused. “It is an old thing that has seen better days. I have been thinking of getting rid of it…”
“Please do not,” he said, tightening his grip on her hand. “The dress looks so very lovely on you.” He paused, his eyes shining. “But when you do need to dispose of it, I promise that I shall hunt down a gown in the exact same shade, just for the pleasure of seeing you in such a light.”
There was silence as they gazed at each other, the moment stretching between them. He quite forgot that there was anyone else in the room, lost in the depths of those lovely brown eyes, until he heard Isabel coughing discreetly.
Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand. Adaline was flushed with pleasure.
“You are acting like newlyweds,” said Reuben, in a sour voice. “I feel like the third wheel.”
James laughed, turning to his friend. “Sorry, old chap, but you know how it is! A man has to compliment his wife.” He winked at him. “I promise to tone it down a little when in company, from now on.”
“Indeed,” said Reuben, in that same sour tone.
James turned back to Adaline, expecting her to be smiling, in that shy, demure way that she did. But to his surprise, she was almost glaring at Reuben. Her face had changed completely, and her brown eyes, which had been shining with pleasure only a few short moments before, were now cold.
