SOPHIA
"Well?" demanded my mother after Dr. Rhine finished his examination. "Will she regain her mories?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe? What do you an, maybe?"
"I an she might or she might not." He lifted an eyebrow. "Aren’t you a scholar’s wife?"
My mother’s face mottled as she sputtered with indignation. I hid my smile. She drew in a breath, but she still looked like she’d sucked on a lemon.
"Could you see to the luncheon?" I asked her. "I’m sure the doctor is famished."
She nodded sharply, sent one last glare at the doctor, then left.
Dr. Rhine chuckled. "Olivia’s always been a sour person. Practically a dill pickle that one."
I couldn’t stop the laugh. I imdiately covered my mouth.
He grinned. "Don’t worry. The fact you still talk to your parents at all is a sign of filial piety." From the dical kit he brought, he pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. "I’ll write you a prescription. Taking the tonic daily will help with pain and healing the wound."
"What about the amnesia?"
"My dear girl." He stopped writing and t my gaze. "Amnesia is one part physical and three parts ntal. That knock on your skull might’ve rattled your brain, but not enough to damage it permanently. I think your amnesia might be a protective asure rather than the result of your injury."
"You an it’s psychological?"
"I always knew you were the smartest in that family."
"You did? You knew from before?"
"I’ve known the Pagemoores and Willowmarches for a very long ti." He started writing again. "But I’ve known the Stoneharts for even longer."
I felt the breath leave my body in a rush, and I put a hand on my chest as if that would keep the air in my lungs.
"Breathe, girl."
I tried. I really did. But breaths seed to want to go out, not in. My head started to ache, and images flickered.
"I’ll protect you." The dark-haired man guided toward a door located between the two staircases that led to the bridge.
The airship. We were on the airship.
He opened the heavy wood door and gently pushed inside.
This person wasn’t my husband. But he was important.
Thunder roared, and then sheets of rain suddenly pumled the deck. The man took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "Stay safe. I’ll co for you."
I nodded, my gaze never leaving his as he shut the door between us.
"Focus your senses. Feel the couch under your fingertips."
As the mory faded, I listened to the doctor’s instructions. I felt the velvet fabric. Soft. Warm.
"Now, look at the lovely vase on the coffee table. Isn’t it a nice color?"
I gulped air. Focus, focus. The porcelain vase was pretty. I especially liked its purple hues.
"Very good, Sophia. Can you hear the clatter of the dishes in the dining room? Your mother might break all of your China at this rate."
I laughed.
And then I could breathe again.
"Slow, deep breaths. There you go."
He said nothing else as I got myself back under control. Soon, I could breathe normally.
Dr. Rhine tore the sheet of paper off the pad. "Why did you panic at the Stonehart na?"
"I ... I don’t know. It didn’t feel like panic. It feel like ... grief."
"You rembered sothing?"
"A man. He was tall. Dressed in a black and silver uniform. He had dark hair. We were on the airship."
"Do you rember his na?"
I shook my head.
"It’s okay. Don’t force it." He pressed the paper into my hand. "Take the tonic. Rest well. Eat on ti. When you’re ready, I believe your mories will return."
I folded the prescription and put it into my dress pocket. "Dr. Rhine, why did you ntion the Stoneharts?"
"They requested that I co see you."
"My parents didn’t contact you?"
"I contacted them. Said I would go see you."
"Because of the Stoneharts?"
"Yes."
"But ... who are they? Why do they care about what happens to ?"
He patted my hand. "All in due ti, dear girl. All in due ti."
***|***|***
SOPHIA
My mother was quiet during lunch, but Dr. Rhine appeared not to notice her taciturn behavior. He made the al quite lively with his cheerfulness and funny anecdotes. When it was ti for him to leave, I was rather disappointed.
"Do keep in touch, Sophia." He pressed his business car into my hand. "You can visit any ti in the Capital."
"Should I find myself in the area, I will surely do so."
He nodded toward my mother. "Good-bye, Mrs. Pagemoore."
"Safe travels, Dr. Rhine."
After sending the doctor off, my mother and I returned to the living room.
"I have a bit of a headache," she said. "I should rest a while."
"That’s fine. I need to go into the village to get the prescription filled."
"Will you need soone to accompany you?"
"I’ll take one of the maids who is familiar with the village and can guide ."
"Very well." She paused. Frowned. "Where is Daisy?"
"Who?"
Mother sighed. "Your amnesia is quite inconvenient."
"Yes," I said drolly. "It is."
She grimaced. "I’m sorry. It must frustrating for you. Daisy is your maid. You two have been thick as theives since you were eight years old. She was our cook’s granddaughter. When she was old enough, we brought her into the household as your maid. She was even part of your dowry."
I called in the housekeeper and asked her about Daisy.
"I’m sorry, Madam. There is no one nad Daisy who works here. Everyone currently at the manor are all new people."
"Jace got rid of all the staff?" My mother’s brows rose. "How odd."
"How could he get rid of Daisy if he knew how important she was?" And wouldn’t having a childhood friend be another path to regaining my mories?
It made no sense for him to take her away.
So why did he?
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