Chapter Seven
Two days later
Selena awoke to the warming glow of sunlight streaming in through the windows. Thank goodness, outside the window, the day appeared bright and sunny. Someone had thought to pull the curtains—it must have been Anna, that sweet maid that had been helping her.
Selena stretched and then winced, the movement causing her injuries to sting. She was thankfully feeling better each day, but she wished she could get out of bed and move around, perhaps even venture outside for some fresh air.
A light knock sounded on the door followed by Anna’s soft voice.
Selena bade her enter, greeting the smiling young woman as she stepped into the room.
“Miss Selena, how do you feel this morning,”
Anna asked in her lovely Scottish lilt.
“Much better, I think.”
She wasn’t completely sure. “The fever seemed to be gone—thank goodness for that.” Being alternately cold and hot—more like burning up—was no picnic. “My headache is also gone.”
Anna smiled. “I’m glad to hear the headache has subsided. The fever would go, and then, would return. Several times it happened. Thank goodness your fever has not returned in almost a day.”
“Yes, that is fortunate, indeed.”
Selena was thankful that Doctor Baker had discovered the source of the infection that had caused the fever and had secured a tonic from the apothecary.
Selena had taken a liking to the pretty young maid with bright red hair, large brown eyes, and an adorable sprinkling of freckles over her nose. “Anna, do you think I might be able to take a bath today?”
“Of course, Miss Selena. “I took the liberty of ordering a bath. The tub should be ready for you soon. But we should be careful to avoid the area around your wound.”
The head wound that had caused her memory loss. Selena nodded and thanked Anna. She may have been on the mend physically, but her memory had still not returned. She couldn’t even remember her name. She only knew it because he told her. Gerald. Her fiancé. She came here to him, so that had to count for a lot, didn’t it? Even though she couldn’t recall why. That she had ridden through the night on a horse in a frigid rainstorm told her she was running from something. But from what? Or whom?
“Miss Selena, I washed the clothes you arrived wearing, but there were no dresses. Only another pair of britches, a shirt and a shift and other under garments.”
“How odd.”
Was I in that much of a hurry to leave? Sorrow wrenched at her heart, and she had no idea why. There was something she should know…something she couldn’t recall. She touched her head as if she could make her memory work again.
“Are you all right?”
Anna asked, her brow etched in concern.
“Forgive me, Anna. It’s just my frustration at my loss of memory.”
“Aye. I understand,”
Anna said. “I have faith that your memory will return. But sometimes, some things are best forgotten.” Her voice held a trace of sadness.
Selena wondered what could have caused Anna such pain that she wished she could forget it. “Sometimes, sharing a burden with someone else may lessen the load…”
Now, where had she heard that before?
“Aye, perhaps you’re right, Miss.”
“Anna, may I ask when you arrived here at Bellwood?”
Perhaps there was something she could do to help the girl.
“Angus Connery is a distant cousin of mine. When Lord Bellecote hired him to oversee the property, six years ago, he brought me with him.”
“Goodness! You must have been a child.”
“I was but ten and two,”
Anna said.
That meant she was only eighteen. So young. Anna looked to be about the same age as her. However, do I know that? Truth be told, she had no idea how old she was. She didn’t even know what she looked like. Perhaps she would ask Gerald her age. Surely, he would know.
“Do you miss your family?”
Selena asked.
Anna blinked back sudden tears.
“I’m so sorry, Anna. I shouldn’t ask such questions.”
“No, Miss. You have done nothing wrong. It’s just that my life in Scotland wasn’t the easiest. I was the… bastard daughter of the earl of (insert Scottish earl name) and the location in Scotland ,”
she whispered in a broken voice. “As in England, children born on the wrong side of the blanket are not regarded and certainly not valued,” Anna said.
“I understand. I might not have my own memories, but somehow those harsh realities are embedded in my mind,”
Selena said carefully. “Forgive me for prying, but I admire your strength and courage.” She didn’t realize her questions would cause Anna pain.
“I thank ye, Miss.”
The girl nodded. “My mother died in childbirth, so while the earl never officially claimed me, he kept me with him, hiring a nurse to take care of me. His first wife was kind and accepted me. She loved me as a mother should. She even insisted the earl provide me with a tutor so I could learn to read or write.” Anna smiled as she continued, “She also taught me to sew, and other valuable skills that a lady of quality would need to know to manage a keep and a family. Aye, Lady Marian was a mother to me in my heart.”
“She sounds like a wonderful woman,”
Selena said, feeling a lump in her throat. A great sadness enveloped her as she wondered about her own mother. And the mystery of why she would leave her mother behind to come here. Gerald had said he’d sent word to his father in London. Selena was most anxious to find out if he had any news.
“Aye, she was truly. I loved her so…”
“You loved her?”
Selena reached out to grasp Anna’s hand as the girl nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“She died of a terrible fever while she was pregnant with the earl’s child. A year later, the earl remarried. His second wife, Lady Carla, was mean and vindictive, trying to erase everything having to do with his first wife. The jealous woman became pregnant and demanded my father get me out of her sight. He reached out to Angus, who had always treated me like a loving uncle. Angus brought me here. He has always been good to me.”
Selena blinked back tears. Anna’s story was so heartbreaking. Even though Anna’s father had not officially claimed her, he’d at least cared enough about her to keep her safe.
“Miss Selena…I almost forgot to mention. Lord Lawrence asked me to convey an invitation for a special luncheon,”
Anna said, a smile breaking through her tears.
Selena’s heart sped up like a galloping horse at the mention of Lawrence’s invitation. “Oh, I would be honored to attend, but…”
She shook her head. “I have nothing to wear, except for the boy’s clothes I had on when I arrived.” She still could not fathom why she hadn’t packed any clothes, not even one dress.
“I think I might be able to help you in that matter,”
she said her eyes twinkling. “But first, would you allow me to help you out of bed?” She indicated the comfortable-looking armchair near the window.
Selena brightened at the thought, but she’d been in bed for so long that she wondered if her legs would support her if she stood. “I don’t know if my legs are up for the challenge. Perhaps I should wait until Doctor Baker arrives.”
“Nonsense. Lean on me,”
Anna said, pulling the blankets down, she helped ease her to a sitting position on the edge of the mattress. Selena placed her arm around Anna’s shoulders as Anna wrapped her arm around Selena’s waist and helped her to stand. Selena’s legs did feel wobbly, but she managed to stay upright as Anna helped her to the armchair, a small round table sat beside it.
Draping a woolen shawl around Selena’s shoulders, Anna excused herself, and returned a few minutes later with a small blue bundle tucked under her arm. She shook it out and Selena gasped at the lovely gown the girl held up—a sapphire blue day dress with a pattern of small flowers in the fabric and delicate lace around the curved neckline. “It’s beautiful,”
Selena breathed.
“Thank you,”
Anna beamed. “I made it myself. I purchased the muslin at the milliner in the village. He’d acquired it from a widow, last month, but no one wanted to purchase it because the fabric was several years old. As soon as I saw it, the idea for the gown came to me like a flash of lightning,” she chuckled. “The price was so affordable I could not resist.”
“Oh, Anna, the stitching is so fine,”
Selena said, touching the delicate seam. “You are truly gifted, but I cannot wear a dress you made for yourself.”
“Oh, but I didn’t make it for myself.”
“Why would you make a dress you don’t plan to wear?”
Selena asked.
“Remember I told you about Lady Marion, the earl’s first wife taught me to sew. She also recognized my fascination with fabric and fashioning beautiful clothing. She even took me to visit several modistes and encouraged my participation in the selection of styles for both her dresses and mine.”
With a somber nod, Anna added, “I owe her so much.”
“What a wonderful gift you have and what a remarkable woman Lady Marion was,”
Selena said softly.
“Please accept this gown as a gift, Miss Selena. And it would make me happy if you would wear it to the luncheon with Lord Lawrence. It is perfect for you.”
Selena graciously accepted the dress, feeling thankful for Anna’s kindness. She vowed to herself that she would repay the maid for her generosity.
“I have the perfect hairstyle in mind,”
Anna said. “Let’s get you bathed and dressed, and then, I’ll do your hair.
An hour or so later, after a relaxing bath that was most restorative, Anna began to style Selena’s hair.
“There’s no need to do anything elaborate, Anna. I’m only going to a luncheon...here.”
She pointed to the shaved spot on the top of her head. “And I’m not sure we can do anything short of a hat to cover this.”
“Give me a chance. It may surprise you,”
Anna said, gently combing through Selena’s chocolate brown locks. “The viscount saw me on my way to get the dress and asked how you were doing. He wanted to make sure I had extended his invitation to you for an afternoon picnic in the garden. I agreed to escort you to him.”
Selena’s eyes widened at the thought of walking to the garden. It seemed so far, and she hadn’t walked more than a few steps in days.
Anna handed her a looking glass and bade her look.
When Selena peeked at her reflection, she pulled back in astonishment. She looked beautiful. Is that me? She hadn’t even given any thought to what she looked like. If someone had asked what color her eyes were, she doubted she could have answered. I have blue eyes. The sapphire color of the dress made her feel beautiful, despite the wound on the back of her head. She felt for the spot and realized Anna had done a masterful job camouflaging it.
“Aye, the color makes your eyes sparkle like sapphires, and the gown suits you perfectly, with your coloring and dark hair. You are truly a vision, Miss Selena.”
Selena hugged Anna close to her heart. “I don’t have a sister, but if I had one, I’d hope she was just like you, Anna.”
“I have experienced both kindness and cruelty from two ladies. Believe me when I say that kindness costs nothing. But cruelty can cost your very soul,”
Anna said.