Page 21 of A Duke to Restore her Memory
She nodded, and they walked silently down the cobblestoned road momentarily. Then she turned to Sebastian, staring at him.
“Who is he?” she asked.
Sebastian sighed deeply. “His family owns mines in this area,” he replied slowly. “They have always been in rivalry with my family’s business.” He paused. “The Hester family started out owning just one ship, but then they grew rich by selling grain to other countries … at the expense of selling it to their own countrymen, who were starving at the time. They have always been mercenaries and thieves.”
She shook her head, looking shocked. “I see.”
“Eventually they expanded into the local mining industry,” he continued, his face tightening. “They bought mines from owners who were struggling at cheap prices. That was the last generation … and now Walter Hester is determined to expand further. I have been told that he is trying to buy more mines - and he will sack the local miners and bring in a cheaper workforce to increase the family’s wealth even more.”
“But … that is unethical,” she breathed, her eyes widening. “They cannot take away the miners’ livelihoods!”
“Exactly,” he said, shaking his head. “But unfortunately, the Hester family has no morals and are greedy. It is always about lining their own pockets with them, and they do not care who they hurt in the process.” He hesitated. “I am worried, Georgina. My mines are not producing vast amounts of copper any longer. I may be forced to sell some of them … but the thought of selling them to Hester makes me quite ill.”
“I am sorry for it,” she whispered, her eyes wide with concern. “I wish I could help you.”
He shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. He didn’t usually talk about his business problems like this – or only with very close, trusted people like Daniel and Lydia. But something about this woman made him feel like he had known her forever … and that he could trust her with his life.
“Careful,” he said suddenly, grabbing her arm as they approached a large puddle on the ground. “Do not slip …”
She stopped, turning to him. Their eyes met and locked. He felt the attraction towards her again, stronger than ever before. He suppressed the urge to pull her into his arms with difficulty. What would her lips taste like?
A man pushing a small cart almost collided with them, and they both jumped, laughing uncomfortably. The moment was broken. They kept walking in silence. He covertly watched her, his eyes lingering on her speculatively.
Who is she? And how will I be able to let her go when the time inevitably arrives … regardless of who she is?
Chapter 11
“Sebastian.” Lady Lydia’s voice was filled with surprise and disapproval as she addressed her brother, but her eyes flickered beyond his shoulder to where Christina stood. They were filled with coldness. “I see you have been out on an excursion.”
Christina flushed hard, feeling awkward and embarrassed. It wasn’t just the contempt in Lady Lydia’s eyes as she beheld her.
It was also the fact that a tall gentleman was standing next to the duke’s sister and Lady Frances on the front steps of Newquay Hall, who was a complete stranger to her. She had never seen him before, and he was gazing at her intently, clearly very curious about her.
What a pity we ran into the ladies and this gentleman on the house steps after returning from our outing to the village. It is rather awkward, and I am not sure what to do at all. I do not think the duke knows what to do, either.
“Yes,” said the duke, in a loud, uncomfortable voice, addressing his sister. “I took Georgina for an outing in the village. We had luncheon at the Thistledown Inn and wandered around a bit. I thought it might jog Georgina’s memory.”
“Really,” said Lady Lydia, in a patronizing voice, staring at Christina rudely. “And did it? Did you recognize anything?”
“No, I did not, unfortunately,” replied Christina, shifting on her feet, feeling uncomfortable with the blatant, rude scrutiny of the lady. “I did not recognize anything at all, My Lady.”
There was another awkward silence, with Lady Frances smiling at her kindly. The gentleman, a stranger to her, looked at the duke expectantly. The duke started, looking embarrassed.
“Oh, I do apologize,” he said quickly. “Daniel, this is Georgina, who suffered the fall at the mine and is staying with us until she recovers her memory.” He looked down at Christina. “This is Lord Falmouth.”
“My Lord,” murmured Christina, dropping into a low curtsey.
“What a terrible thing to have happened to you,” said Lord Falmouth, staring at her with sympathy and curiosity when she straightened. “You truly have no idea who you are or where you were going that day?”
Christina shook her head. “None at all, My Lord. It is a complete blank.” She drew a deep breath. “I wish I could remember. I feel terrible about inconveniencing his grace like this.”
“It is no trouble, as I said,” said the duke quickly, with a small smile. “You should not feel that way at all.”
“Indeed,” said Lord Falmouth, smiling at Christina. “The ladies and I were just about to take a turn around the gardens. Would you both care to join us?”
Christina glanced at the duke, not knowing how to respond. Lady Lydia had a sour look on her face. She was sure the lady would not be happy if she accepted the gentleman’s kind invitation.
“Actually, I would like to speak to my brother privately,” said Lady Lydia, her voice filled with acid. “You and Frances should still go on the stroll though, Daniel … and perhaps Georgina should rest after her excursion. She looks rather tired.”
