The Duke's Unusual Proposal

Chapter 19

        When Reggie next woke she was introduced to an unfamiliar young woman, Simon's sister, Victoria and upon a closer look could see the resemblance between the two. "I'm afraid I don't remember you."

        "Thats all right I know once your memory returns you will, Regina, were all are just so glad we didn't lose you."

        "Everyone keeps saying my memory will return but it's just so frustrating to not be able to remember three years of one's life. Did you know me before I married your brother? What did you think when we married?"

        "I don't know you although I knew of you and yes your marriage was a surprise, a big one. You see, my brother thinks women belong in either in the drawing room or bedchamber." Annabel started laughing. "I thought you two were involved in some sort of business venture together. I'd read, you see, in the papers that morning that you were coming to England. I surprised my brother with my knowledge of you."

        "So he believes women should be kept at home and not in the business world? Have I changed his mind about that?" Reggie couldn't help but smile at the thought.

        "You certainly have. You have to realize how Simon was raised. He was raised to be a duke and dukes look after everyone and give orders. Orders they expects to be obeyed. I know he loves you even though he has not told me so. I know my brother well and I can tell just by how he looks at you that he does love you."

        "Yet we did not marry for love." She remembered what Annabel had said earlier and was trying to understand why she would have done such a thing.

        "Please let my brother be the one to explain that to you."

        "Let me explain what?" Reggie looked up to see Simon striding into her room and come to a stop at the foot of her bed and give her his warm smile. "What questions do you have?"

        "I have questions about our marriage. Annabel has said we didn't marry for love." She saw the smile fade from his face as he looked toward her sister then quickly return to her. It surprised her that Annabel had remained silent since her sister was one to voice her view points without being asked.

        "That is true. I will tell you anything you wish to know but of course it will be from my side of our relationship. I'm not sure what you were thinking at any one moment."

        Annabel rose from her chair. "I should see how my husband is doing." Annabel leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Just remember, Reggie, with time your memory will return."

        "I think I'll leave, too," Victoria said and then turned to her brother. "Remember, Simon, to let her rest once she's tired."

        "I will," Simon replied and kissed his sister on her cheek. After the two young ladies left he sat in the chair next to her bed and took her hand. "Now what is it you'd like to know about our marriage?"

        "I want to know everything from the time we met until the present. If I close my eyes I won't be sleeping. I found it easier to absorb things with them close."

        "Well, it all started with my cousin's death. His name was Alex Braxton, Earl of Overton, he was twenty-six years old and worked for Davenport Limited. My Aunt Silvia who is also here staying is his mother and she believes he died in an accident but he was really murdered. I don't want her to know the truth yet, Regina, until we are able to learn who his killer was. You gave me your word before we married that you would not tell her the truth about his death."

        "Then I'll stand by my word to you."

        "We came to America, Jordan and I and met with your Secretary of State and David Moreland. Moreland was called in because he knew you and the three of us came to Texas with a plan...." Simon spoke with her almost two hours telling her everything he was able to remember about them from their first meeting until  she was hurt. "If I could turn back the time, take back those words I said I would. I never meant to hurt you. You may not believe me now but I do love you and want you back as my wife. I want you as the mother of my children and as my duchess."