Chapter 1

Chapter One

England, 1813

Bennett Lockwood, the Earl of Dunsby, never had an issue with bread… until now. He sat in the pew next to his sister, Elodie, who was happily eating her buttered bread. The chapel was quiet, save for the sound of Elodie's loud, incessant chewing that seemed to echo off the walls.

They were gathered here to celebrate their cousin's wedding to his good friend, Miles. He felt a profound sense of pride that he had brought these two together, knowing the pain they had both endured in their pasts.

Glancing at Elodie, Bennett leaned in and whispered, "Do you mind?"

His sister gave him a look that appeared innocent, but he knew better. "What is wrong?" she asked, matching his tone.

"Why did you bring bread with you to Edwina's wedding?" he asked, trying not to let his annoyance show.

With a slight shrug, Elodie replied, "I was hungry."

Melody, his other sister, chimed in from the pew behind them. "I tried to convince her not to bring it, but she wouldn't listen."

"Of course not," Bennett muttered under his breath. His sisters were nearly identical, with the same blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but that is where the similarities stopped. Elodie seemed to defy convention, whereas Melody followed the rules, almost to a fault.

Elodie held up the piece of bread towards him. "Would you care for some?"

Bennett ignored her offer as he turned his attention back to the front of the chapel where the short, round vicar had just concluded the service.

With a wide smile, the vicar announced, "And now it is my privilege to officiate the marriage between Lady Edwina Lockwood and Lord Hilgrove. Please come forward."

The happy couple stood from their seats in the back, their beaming smiles radiating pure happiness. The congregation promptly rose as the couple made their way down the aisle, hand in hand. They stood before the vicar, their eyes fixated on each other.

As the vicar began the ceremony, the audience settled into their seats, eagerly awaiting the moment when Edwina and Miles would finally be announced as man and wife.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Elodie couldn't quite seem to contain her excitement. "This is my favorite part," she whispered to Bennett. "I love it when they kiss."

Bennett lifted his brow. "I do not know why, considering we caught them kissing all the time at Brockhall Manor."

"Yes, but now they are kissing as husband and wife," Elodie replied. "It is completely different."

After a chaste kiss, Edwina and Miles proceeded down the aisle and disappeared through the chapel doors.

Bennett stood up from his seat and adjusted the sleeves on his jacket. "Well, they are officially married now. Shall we return home for the luncheon? "

"But that isn't for another few hours," Elodie protested before taking another bite of bread. "And this dress is starting to itch from the net overlay."

Melody had also risen from her seat. "You could always return home and change into a different gown," she suggested.

With a shake of her head, Elodie said, "Mother would never allow it. She specifically chose our gowns for Edwina's wedding and wouldn't want me to change for any reason."

Bennett placed a comforting hand on Elodie's shoulder. "What a burden you must endure. Whatever shall you do?" he teased.

"You are a man and cannot possibly understand what women must endure in the name of fashion," Elodie responded. "Besides, I fail to see anything wrong with our old gowns."

Melody adopted a tone that sounded very much like Mother's. "They may be suitable for the countryside, but they are much too plain for the upcoming Season," she explained. "We will need to distinguish ourselves from the other debutantes if we hope to secure a brilliant match."

"Do you truly wish to marry your first Season?" Elodie asked. "Because I certainly do not."

Melody tilted her chin defiantly. "It matters not when I marry, but who I marry," she declared. "I want a love match."

A small smirk graced Elodie's lips as she quipped, "And I want a unicorn, but we all know that will never happen. Love matches are just as elusive as mythical creatures."

"Unicorns aren't real," Melody said.

"Neither are love matches," Elodie countered with a shrug of her shoulders.

Bennett spoke up, attempting to be the voice of reason. "Let us not forget that we just witnessed our cousin marry for love."

Elodie wiped her gloved hands together, brushing the crumbs off. "Fine. I will admit it is possible, but we must not get our hopes up. My friend, Diana, thought she had married for love and now she is miserable. She even suspects that her husband has taken a mistress."

"Who is Diana?" Bennett asked, wondering why he had never heard of her until now.

"A friend of mine from our boarding school," Elodie replied.

"You are being quite the naysayer this morning. Perhaps you sniffed too much of the butter on your bread," Melody teased.

Bennett caught the vicar's eye and excused himself from his sisters to approach Mr. Bawden. "Good morning," he greeted. "You did a fine job."

Mr. Bawden tipped his head in acknowledgement, revealing a large bald spot on the back of his head. "Thank you, my lord. I always enjoy marrying couples who are so clearly in love with one another."

He chuckled. "Yes, Edwina and Miles only seemed to have eyes for one another after they got engaged."

"As it should be," Mr. Bawden said, good-naturedly.

Bennett's mother came to stand next to him as she addressed the vicar. "I do hope you intend to join us for the luncheon."

Mr. Bawden grinned. "I will be there, as will my daughter, Mattie."

"Wonderful," his mother exclaimed. "We simply adore Miss Bawden."

The vicar removed a handkerchief and swiped at the beads of sweat that were forming on his brow. "You have always been very kind to her, and for that, I am most appreciative."

His mother smiled. "Your daughter is easy to be kind to," she said. "Furthermore, I have enjoyed watching her grow into a delightful young woman. "

"I could not agree with you more, my lady," Mr. Bawden responded.

Turning towards Bennett, his mother asked, "Shall we depart?"

He offered his arm and led her away from the vicar. Once they were outside, he saw his father and sisters were already situated in the coach.

Bennett assisted his mother up the steps of the coach and waited until she was comfortably seated next to her husband. "I will see all of you back at the manor," he said.

His mother gave him a disapproving shake of her head. "I wish you had taken one of the coaches to the chapel," she chided.

"That seems rather silly since I am perfectly content riding my horse," Bennett replied. "Besides, I prefer to be outside over riding in a stuffy coach. The rain has finally stopped, and the sun is peeking through the clouds. It is a perfect day for a quick jaunt through the woodlands."

Elodie removed a fan from her reticule and started fanning her face. "Bennett has chosen wisely. With the arrival of the sun, it is making this coach rather warm and stuffy."

"It is only a short ride back to the manor," his mother reminded them, her tone lacking any sympathy.

"Yes, but not before I look like a bloated catfish," Elodie declared dramatically, puffing out her cheeks to emphasize her point.

Melody poked at her sister's puffy cheeks playfully. "You look rather foolish like that."

Elodie let out a huff of air. "Can we at least open up the windows?" she asked hopefully.

His mother nodded her permission. "There is no need to make everything so dramatic, my dear."

"And with that, I bid you adieu," Bennett said before closing the door.

As he walked towards his horse, Bennett was grateful for the time to retreat to his own thoughts. He was happy for Miles and Edwina, but a faint sense of envy lingered in his heart. He couldn't help but hope for the kind of love they had found.

He knew that he would need to get married- to produce an heir- but he was not looking forward to the marriage mart. Every young woman would bat her eyelashes at him and offer coy smiles, seeing only his title rather than the man behind it.

Bennett mounted his horse. With a firm grip on the reins, he urged his horse into a gallop, cutting through the open fields and charging towards the woodlands. This uncharted territory was a welcome change from the familiar paths he had explored countless times near his family's manor. The dense canopy provided a comforting shelter from the outside world.

The recent rainfall had transformed the path into a slick and treacherous terrain, but Bennett pushed onwards with reckless abandon. The cool droplets that fell from the trees above were refreshing against his skin and he relished the time alone.

He had every reason to be happy. He was an earl and heir to a marquessate. Their estate was profitable and their relationship with the villagers was stronger than ever. And yet, his heart still felt a longing for something more.

Bennett brought his horse to a sudden stop and looked up at the towering trees. He was almost thirty and his parents had been relentless that he should wed. But he refused to marry for convenience or obligation. He wanted a love match or nothing at all.

Suppressing a chuckle at how much he sounded like his sister, Melody, he turned his horse around to head back in the direction he'd come from. That was when he noticed fresh footprints just off the path. They couldn't have been there long or else the rain would have washed them away.

His curiosity was piqued as he dismounted and moved to secure his horse, wondering who was wandering on his family's land. He followed the footprints deeper into the woodlands and the terrain became more hazardous. Eventually, he came upon a ravine with a small stream running through it, washing away any trace of footprints.

Disappointed that he'd wasted his time, Bennett was about to turn back when he caught sight of a flash of color further down the ravine. He focused his gaze on it and saw that it was the body of a woman, dressed in a blue gown.

Good gads!

And she was all alone.

Without hesitation, he slid down the side of the ravine and hurried towards the woman's side, unsure of what to expect.

Once he reached her side, he noticed that she was still breathing, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath. Relief washed over him as he realized she was alive.

Taking only a moment, Bennett perused the length of her, looking for any signs of injuries. Her dark hair fanned out around her, almost like a halo, and her face was an alarming shade of white. She had scratch marks along her skin, evidence of her flight through the trees. One shoe was missing from her foot and dried blood marked her forehead where she must have struck her head.

What terrible misfortune had befallen this young woman? And more importantly, who was she? How had she ended up alone and injured in the woodlands?

He knelt by her side and gently shook her shoulder. "Miss," he said, his voice laced with concern. "Can you hear me?"

No response.

Bennett removed his hand and let out a sigh. He couldn't leave this young woman here. If he didn't get her help, he feared that she would perish. And he couldn't let that weigh heavily on his conscience.

Her gown was exceedingly fine, making him assume her presence would not be missed for too long. Surely someone was looking for her. But they would never find her here. The woodlands were too dense for riders to happen upon her.

Quite frankly, there was only one choice in his mind. He would take her back to his manor and send for the doctor.

Before he moved her, he shook her once more, hoping for any sign of consciousness. "Miss? If you can hear me, I am going to pick you up now."

Still no response.

With careful movements, Bennett lifted her into his arms, stumbling slightly as he stood. She felt so delicate against him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards this unknown woman.

As he made his way back up the ravine, Bennett slipped a few times on the rocky terrain but managed to keep hold of the woman in his arms. He arrived at his horse and carefully placed her on the saddle before taking a seat behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as they rode off, aware of how it might look to anyone who saw them.

But above all else, Bennett was a gentleman.

He urged his horse forward, mindful of not jostling the injured woman too much. The manor wasn't far, and he knew they needed to reach it quickly for her sake.

Delphine awoke with a pounding headache, her eyes reluctant to open. As she blinked her vision into focus, she found herself lying in a luxurious bed with an unfamiliar canopy draped above her.

Where was she?

Confusion set in as she tried to piece together where she was. She turned her head to one side and saw lavender-papered walls, heavy drapes framing two tall windows, and a writing desk in the corner. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

A soft clinking sound caught her attention and she slowly turned her head to see a petite blonde maid tidying up at the dressing table.

With a raspy voice, Delphine managed to croak out, "Where am I?"

The maid's eyes widened. "You are awake." Her words were more of a statement than a question. "The doctor will want to speak with you immediately."

In one quick motion, the maid scurried out of the room, leaving Delphine alone. She noticed a glass of water on the bedside table and realized how dry her throat felt. With great effort, she reached for the glass and took a small sip, enjoying the cool water on her lips.

Delphine returned the glass to the table and propped herself up against the plush pillows behind her. Though her head still throbbed with pain, she needed to understand what had happened to her. As she absentmindedly touched the bandage wrapped around her head, she searched her memory for any clues.

What had happened to her?

As she tried to recall her memories, the door opened, revealing a tall, distinguished man with silvered hair and rounded spectacles perched on his nose.

The man approached the bed and Delphine instinctively reached for the soft silk blanket to cover herself.

When he smiled at her, all her defenses melted away. "Hello, I am Doctor Anderson," he said, introducing himself in a soothing voice. "I am pleased to see that you are awake."

Befuddlement clouded Delphine's mind as she tried to piece together where she was. "Where am I?" she asked.

The doctor pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. "You are at the country home of Lord and Lady Dallington," he informed her gently .

That would explain her opulent surroundings, but those names did not sound familiar. Furrowing her brow, she asked, "Am I acquainted with them?"

"It appears not," Doctor Anderson replied. "Their son, Lord Dunsby, found you in the woodlands on their property. Do you remember how you ended up there?"

She gave him a blank stare, unable to recall anything. "No, I do not." Why couldn't she remember?

The doctor gave her a reassuring look. "That is all right. Perhaps we should start at the beginning," he suggested. "What is your name?"

That was an easy question. "My name is Delphine…" Her words trailed off as she struggled to remember more about herself.

"It is nice to meet you, Miss Delphine," the doctor said. "Can you recall your surname or where you are from?"

Delphine racked her brain to try to remember but her mind was blank. She couldn't remember anything, other than her given name. How was that possible? It didn't help that her head was pounding, robbing her of the ability to think clearly.

The doctor's comforting voice broke through her musings. "It is all right. These things can happen after a head injury."

"I had a head injury?" Delphine asked. Why did this all seem so preposterous?

"Yes, you had a nasty bump on your head when Lord Dunsby found you. You have been asleep for two days now," Doctor Anderson revealed.

Two days?!

She couldn't believe it. But as she tried to recall anything about her past, she was met with a frustrating blankness. How could this have happened?

The doctor continued. "Now that you are awake, we will figure all this out," he replied. "You just need to be patient with yourself."

She brought a hand to her head and winced at the bump on top of her head, just as the doctor had informed her of. "My head hurts," she confessed. "And my neck is rather sore. It is difficult to move."

"That is not unexpected," the doctor replied sympathetically. "Your body just needs time to recover."

"None of this makes sense," Delphine said, feeling a sense of panic rising within her. Why couldn't she even remember her name?

"It will, in time," the doctor assured her. "But for now, we will just provide you with a calm environment for your memory to return."

Delphine glanced down and realized that she was in a wrapper. "Was I wandering in the woodlands dressed like this?"

"No, you were discovered in a ravine, unconscious and bleeding from your forehead. I'm afraid that the gown you were found in was terribly soiled and ripped," Doctor Anderson responded. "The maids bathed you and dressed you in more comfortable attire."

"None of this makes sense," Delphine declared, repeating herself. "If I was on Lord Dallington's land, he must know who I am. He has to. I do not think I am one to trespass on others' lands."

"I'm afraid not. You are a stranger to him."

Delphine lowered her gaze, feeling like a stranger to herself as well. She needed to remember so she could go home. Wherever that was. A thought occurred to her. "Surely someone has come looking for me."

The doctor shook his head. "I am sure they will, but as for now, you just need to rest. Your memory should come back in time."

"Should?" she repeated with trepidation in her voice.

"Brain injuries are unpredictable," Doctor Anderson said. "But you need not worry about that. Everything will be fine."

Delphine closed her eyes, feeling overwhelmed and beaten. What would happen to her if her memories never came back to her? The thought was terrifying. What was worse was that she felt the doctor was just trying to pacify her. What wasn't he telling her?

A knock sounded at the door before it was pushed open. A tall, elegant woman with blonde hair and kind eyes stepped into the room, clad in a blue muslin gown.

"Good morning," she greeted with a warm smile. "It is good to see you awake, young lady. I am Lady Dallington and you are most welcome here."

Delphine offered her a weak but grateful smile. "Thank you, my lady."

The doctor rose from his seat and turned his attention towards Lady Dallington. "This is Miss Delphine, but I'm afraid she remembers little else. We must be patient, and her memories should return with time."

Lady Dallington nodded in understanding. "Then we shall make Miss Delphine as comfortable as possible for the time being."

Feeling overwhelmed by her gratitude for these complete strangers, Delphine spoke up again. "Thank you. I hope to repay your kindness one day."

"Do not concern yourself with such things," Lady Dallington responded. "You should focus on getting better."

Delphine did have a question. "What became of the gown that I arrived in?"

Lady Dallington waved her hand in front of her. "We disposed of it. It was in terrible shape and no amount of washing and mending would have repaired it."

"What am I to wear then?" Delphine asked anxiously.

"You and my twin daughters are of a similar size," Lady Dallington replied. "They will have no objections to allowing you to borrow some of their gowns."

Delphine felt a pang of guilt at imposing herself on these strangers. "I couldn't possibly… "

"Nonsense," Lady Dallington insisted, speaking over her. "Besides, my daughters are starting to receive their new gowns for the upcoming Season and will have little use for their old ones."

Unsure of what else she could say, she murmured, "Thank you."

Lady Dallington clasped her hands together. "You must be famished."

As if on cue, Delphine's stomach rumbled loudly. "I am," she admitted.

"I shall send a tray up from the kitchen," Lady Dallington said. "Do you have a preference for breakfast?"

"A boiled egg and two pieces of toast, please," Delphine responded without the slightest hint of hesitation.

Lady Dallington turned towards the maid who stood quietly in the corner and ordered, "Will you inform the cook of Miss Delphine's request?"

With a knitted brow, Delphine went to address the doctor. "How is it that I can remember what I eat for breakfast but I can't recall my own surname?"

Doctor Anderson's eyes held understanding. "That is not entirely unexpected. The brain is complex and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why we can recall certain information after a trauma such as yours."

Delphine felt discouraged. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to force any memories to the surface. But all she was met with was a void- no names, no faces, no places.

Lady Dallington must have sensed her frustration because she moved closer to the bed. "Try to think of this as an adventure," she encouraged.

Her eyes opened. "An adventure?" It was evident that she and Lady Dallington had two different definitions of what an adventure was.

"Yes, we have some clues as to who you are," Lady Dallington replied. "Your muslin gown was the height of fashion and you had a coral necklace around your neck, indicating to me that you are a woman of means."

"If that is the case, why has no one come looking for me?" Delphine asked.

Lady Dallington gave her a pointed look. "Who says they are not?" she asked. "My son informed me that he found you in a ravine after searching through the woodlands for some time. You were even missing a shoe."

While grateful for Lady Dallington's optimism, Delphine couldn't help but feel anxious at the thought of being lost and alone with no memory of who she was or where she belonged. Did she have a family? A home?

The doctor spoke up, breaking the tense silence. "We should let Miss Delphine rest. We do not wish to overwhelm her."

"I understand," Lady Dallington responded. "Do you like to read? We have a well-stocked library that you are welcome to use."

Delphine scrunched her nose. "I think so."

"Perhaps I shall select a few books for you and have them sent up," Lady Dallington suggested.

"I would appreciate that, but I do not think I could read right now. My head hurts," she admitted.

Lady Dallington acknowledged her words with a smile. "When you are up to it, you are welcome to leave your bedchamber and venture around our home. A change of scenery might do you some good."

Delphine returned her smile. "Thank you, my lady," she said. "I do hope to thank Lord Dunsby for saving me and bringing me here."

"In due time, you will. For now, focus on resting and recovering," Lady Dallington encouraged.

Doctor Anderson gestured towards the door and addressed Lady Dallington. "May I speak to you privately in the corridor? "

Lady Dallington tipped her head. "Of course, Doctor."

Left alone in the room, Delphine's gaze drifted up towards the intricately woven canopy above her. She let out a frustrated sigh, feeling overwhelmed by her situation. She yearned for her memories to return, to bring some sense of familiarity back into her life. Did this mean she wasn't a patient person?

A wave of sadness washed over her. She hated the idea of relying on Lady Dallington and her family's generosity, but she had no other options. She was trapped here, with no clear direction or purpose.

Tears welled up in Delphine's eyes and she didn't bother to fight them. In this moment, she allowed herself to feel scared and uncertain about what the future held. At least until breakfast arrived, she would allow herself this moment of weakness before putting on a brave face once again.