Page 55 of A Duke to Restore her Memory
His heart flipped in his chest. He knew that if the viscount accepted the offer, he might lose Christina. She would be free to marry anyone she wanted.
But it was important to him that she didn’t feel under duress to marry anyone – including him – just to save her family home. If she were to marry him, it must be because she chose him freely, not for any other reason.
His breath caught in his throat as he thought about her. As far as he was concerned, there was no impediment to him courting her, with a view to marriage, anymore.
She was a noble lady, the daughter of a viscount, with a fine pedigree. And she had never deceived him, as Lydia had asserted. She had run away from her home to escape a forced marriage to a brute, had an accident, and lost her memory. It was exactly as it had always appeared to be.
Her character and morals were not in question. They had never been. Christina was the woman she had always appeared to be – kind, clever, and utterly enchanting.
He wanted her for his own. He wanted her badly. But she must come to him with a free will, choosing him willingly. He would never force her hand.
“I am stunned at your generosity, Your Grace,” stuttered the viscount, his eyes shining with tears. “I accept with extreme gratitude.”
Sebastian nodded. A vision of Christina sprung into his mind, warming his blood. Would she be interested in him now that she had her old life back? Or had their connection been transitory to her? Would she move on and leave him behind entirely?
Chapter 28
Christina’s heart pounded hard as she stood on the front steps of Draycott Manor to bid farewell to the duke.
Her parents had already said their goodbyes to him, thanking him profusely for all he had done for their daughter and telling him he was always welcome at their home.
She turned to face him. Now, they were entirely alone. She noted the lines of weariness still evident in his face, but he looked much less tired than he had.
Her heart somersaulted as she studied his strong jawline, those velvet brown eyes as warm as molasses, and his strong, commanding physique.
She loved him. Oh, how she loved him. She wanted to rush to him now, caress his face, and tell him how much she cared for him. But how would he react if she did such a bold thing?
She hesitated, hanging back. She just couldn’t do it. While he was attentive to her, there seemed to be a distance between them.
Perhaps it was just because she was returned to herself and her home … she was no longer a waif called Georgina, who he must protect. She was Lady Christina Whitford, the daughter of the Viscount Draycott. Another woman entirely.
And somehow, she felt unworthy of his affection, as well. She had always been such a burden to him.
“So,” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart pounding hard as she gazed at him. “It is over. I am home.” She hesitated. “I just wanted to thank you again for everything you have done for me …”
“There is no need to thank me,” he interjected sharply. “It was my pleasure, as well as my duty.”
His breathing held a ragged edge. Their eyes met and locked before his eyes hastily slid away. Christina’s heart fluttered in distress.
It was such a bittersweet moment, filled with longing, that could not be expressed. Or perhaps she was just imagining that he felt the same way as she did, anyway. Perhaps he had never felt anything for her at all. Perhaps it had always been in her imagination.
“Well, I should go,” he said abruptly. He smiled weakly. “I am glad that your memory is returned and you are safely back home, My Lady.” He paused, his dark eyes flickering slightly. “Your father has assured me he will not force you to marry Lord Powell … or anyone else, for that matter. You do not need to feel the weight of that burden any longer. I wish you all the best in life.”
Christina nodded, gulping, not trusting herself to speak. She knew her voice would break with emotion, and she might burst into tears. She might rush to him, clinging to him, begging him not to leave her. And that would not do at all.
A heavy sorrow, unlike anything she had ever felt before, entered her heart. This might be the last time she ever saw him. In fact, it was likely it was.
They lived a great distance from each other – she wouldn’t encounter him at social events. It would be as if they had never met at all.
I will always love him. I will never love another. But it seems that it was never meant to be.
“Thank you,” she murmured, dropping into a low curtsey so he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. “I wish you all the best in life as well, Your Grace.”
She rose slowly. He looked at her for another moment before turning and walking to his horse. She watched him mount, and then he was gone, riding down the long driveway and through the tall gates without a backward glance.
Christina staggered, falling against the door frame, her heart so full of sorrow and loss that she could barely contain it.
Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She had got her life and her home back, but it seemed she had lost something precious in the process. Something that she could never hope to replace as long as she lived.
