Page 15 of A Duke to Restore her Memory
He nodded. “I believe so …”
She gripped his arm without thinking, quite tightly. “But the horse was wearing a saddle! It might have an identifying mark or insignia on it!”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You know, you are right. It might have.” He paused, grinning down at her. “I did not even think of that! You are clever, Georgina.”
She blushed. “It just occurred to me. The thought just lodged into my mind.” Hastily, she took her hand away, gazing up at him. “Should we head back to Newquay Hall and check?”
His grin widened. “Yes, let us do it now.” He hesitated, his brown eyes shining, as he gazed down at her. “Although I am loathe to end this excursion. It has been such a wonderful morning, Georgina. I have enjoyed it immensely.”
“As have I,” she replied, suddenly feeling shy.
They kept gazing at each other. She felt the air tense around them as if the breeze had changed suddenly. A shadow fell across the sand, and she blinked, gazing up into the sky.
It was a large bird gliding on outstretched wings. She watched as it circled overhead before heading towards the cliffs. Her heart lurched as she watched it approach the nest, settling atop the eggs. It let out a squawk.
Christina shivered. She remembered that bird. It was true – she had seen it the morning she had fallen into the mine shaft. She could almost feel the beat of its wing brushing against her head …
“Georgina?” The duke touched her arm. “Shall we go?”
She took a deep breath, nodding. They kept walking. Her heart was beating erratically. She was starting to remember things. Small things, but at least it was a start. And perhaps the clue to who she was might be on that saddle. She couldn’t wait to look at it now.
Chapter 8
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.”
