She smiled brightly. Too brightly.

An alarm sounded deep in Chase’s head. He had a sister. He knew what that smile meant. Mrs. Ward wanted something. And from the degrees of brightness of her smile, it was something very uncomfortable.

She patted his hand in a maternal way. “I suppose you are wondering why my daughter, Harriet, seems so short of temper with you.”

“I…ah. No. Not really. We didn’t have the chance to be properly introduced, and I suppose I might have irritated her into an ill humor.”

“Oh, Harriet is never in an ill mood.” Mrs. Ward paused, then said in a meaningful tone, “But then you know that.”

How could he know anything about Harriet Ward? He’d only just met her. Truly alarmed, Chase made sure his arms were free from the bed clothing. He might need both hands if he had to break free and make a run for it. “If Miss Ward was short of temper, it was because of me. I wasn’t in a very pleasant frame of mind on waking.”

“Whatever you said, it wouldn’t have mattered. Harriet is upset because—” She swallowed, as if the next words were too hard to form.

Chase wondered if he should prompt her on. Perhaps he should just leave it as it was, tell the woman that he was tired and hope she forgot whatever it was that she wanted.

But somehow he knew that whatever she wanted to say, would be said. Either now or later. So with a sigh, he asked, “Why is Miss Ward upset with me?”

Mrs. Ward looked directly at him, then said in a great rush, “Harriet is upset because you don’t remember her.”

Chase touched his bandage. “Pardon me. My ears seem to be ringing. Did you say that your daughter believes that I should remember her?”

“Yes! That’s it exactly! You may not remember who you are, but we, my dear sir, most certainly do.”

The low ringing in his ears turned into a dull roar. “Who am I, then?” he heard himself ask in a dumbfounded voice.

“Captain John Frakenham. You are betrothed to Harriet, and you, my dear, kind sir, have come to save the day!”

Chapter 6

Love is best approached from the blind side. That way, if you chance stumble upon it without meaning to, you might be able to get away before it catches you in return.

The Duchess of Wexford to Viscountess Brandford upon supping on broiled fish and calf’s-foot jelly at Brandford House

Chase was hallucinating. Yes, that’s what had happened. He was dreaming. In truth, he was still lying in his own blood in the forest, the thieves arguing over his possessions. He was not at a mysterious place called Garrett Park, surrounded by raving lunatics who just appeared to be normal. Like the angelic-looking woman in a lace cap who had just announced that he was a man named Captain John Frakenham and was engaged to her daughter.

What was even worse was that Mrs. Ward was so maddened by whatever spell held her brain in thrall, that she didn’t even know to look shamefaced at such a lie. Instead, she beamed at him as if she’d just conferred a great gift of some sort.