Free Web NovelChapter 27: Heart Of The Matter
JACE
The next morning, the servants arrived. While Sophia couldn’t remember people or events of her past, her general knowledge seemed to be in working order. She easily assumed control of the household.
In the midst of the organized chaos, a messenger arrived. The missive was from my commander. A small skirmish had broken out on the border with the Western Realm and he wanted all hands on deck.
I found Sophia in the kitchen, showing the new cook the larder. freewebnσvel.cøm
"Sophia, I need to return to the Capital. Penny ... I mean, Miss Shire will be returning with me."
"Oh?" She didn’t seem all that concerned that I was taking another woman with me, but I sought to reassure her anyway. "She’s getting married soon," I stated. "To one of my lieutenants."
"Is that something I knew about?" she asked. "Her being my lady’s companion, and all."
I looked away and cleared my throat. Calling Penelope a companion for Sophia was a bit like saying a lion was a companion for a gazelle. However, I wouldn’t have to maintain that lie now that Penelope would no longer be part of our lives.
"It’s a recent development," I finally said. "If you feel you need another lady’s companion, I can make inquiries."
"No, thank you," she said. She hesitated. "I feel like someone is missing, though. Did I not have a friend in this house?"
She was potentially speaking about Daisy, her personal maid that she’d had since she was eight years old. Daisy had been part of Sophia’s dowry and it would make sense she might feel a gap in her heart.
But I couldn’t have Daisy around speaking ill of me or filling in Sophia’s memories, especially those I’d rather not come to light. Daisy’s indenture had been easily found and she’d been sold at a blind auction. Truthfully, my wife would probably not see her again.
If Sophia’s memories returned, I would deal with the fallout. But for now, I wanted the opportunity to entangle myself with my wife, so much so that even when she regained her memories, she would love me despite our past difficulties.
I also didn’t want her to harbor any feelings for Duke Stonehart.
I should’ve taken her virginity last night. With our marriage consummated, I could return to the Capital confident in our relationship.
But now, I had no time to consider bedroom games. The carriage was already being loaded with the bags and suitcases Penelope had packed, not to mention my own necessities.
"By the way, you used to take care of my grandfather, but because of your memory loss, I had him moved to a facility in the Capital. At some point, he should return. When you’re ready for that responsibility again."
Sophia stared at me. "I took care of your grandfather?"
"Yes. Do you remember him at all?"
She shook her head. "I’m sorry. I don’t."
I drew her into my embrace. She felt stiff against me, as though she didn’t want to be hugged. It irked me that she didn’t have even the slightest affection for me even knowing I was her husband. Could she not even pretend to show me a little kindness?
"Don’t worry. I’m sure your memories will return." I patted her back and then let her go. "I’ll be back as soon as I can." I kissed her cheek, and she looked at me, wide-eyed. "More of that when I return."
She blushed, and I thought she looked adorable.
I turned to go, but felt a tug on my sleeve. Delighted, I whirled back around. "Yes, sweetheart?" freewebnσvel.cѳm
"I need new clothes," she said. "I don’t like those dresses or wigs."
"You have free access to the accounts," I said, pleased that she was asking me for things that a wife would want. "Get whatever you like. I can afford all the dresses you want."
"Thank you."
"Shouldn’t I get a reward?" I asked. I bent down and tapped my cheek.
She looked nervous, but she still brushed her lips against my face.
"I’ll be back soon, wife."
"Good-bye," she said.
I left the kitchen, heart light, whistling happily.
I was sure that as soon as I finished my duties in the Capital, I could return to Amaranth Manor and create a good life with Sophia. We would forget the past. I wouldn’t be cold anymore, or ignore her.
And she would love me again. And care for me that way she had before the Hunter’s Ball. Before Duke Stonehart. Before the airship crash.
Yes. I was absolutely sure that our lives together would be perfect.
***|***|***
SOPHIA
Watching the carriage trundle down the dirt road filled me with a sense of relief. Even though I was still recovering from injuries caused by the airship crash, I had the distinct feeling my husband would ignore my aches and pains to consummate our marriage.
I supposed I should feel lucky that he had restrained himself last night. And I was luckier still that he had been called away to the Capital. I hoped that he stayed away for a long time. Maybe long enough that I finally regained my memory and I would learn the truth of my relationship with him.
In the meanwhile, I had a household to run.
***|***|***
SOPHIA
The new cook made me a light dinner of soup and rice. She also squeezed oranges for fresh juice. This glass I took outside to the garden. I wandered around with the help of the gas lamps that had been put along pathways. In the darker parts of the garden fireflies danced over the sleeping garden. The air was cool, but it was still early enough in winter that I only needed a cape to stave off the cold.
I don’t know how I found the oak tree from my dream. One moment I was admiring a patch of hellebores and the next, I was stumbling on the exposed roots of the tree.
I stared at it, amazed. The dream must’ve contained part of a memory for me. I brushed my fingertips across the rough bark, wondering which of my secrets it held.
As my fingers traced the ripples, I hit a strange spot. I looked closely and saw that it was a carving.
A heart.
Inside of it: SP + NS.
The carving was old. It had been there long enough to scar the tree. Years probably.
I traced the letters and then the heart itself.
This felt important.
If SP meant Sophia Pagemoore then why weren’t the other letters JW for Jace Willowmarch?
Who was NS?
