Carides's Forgotten Wife by Maisey Yates Page B

a newlywed. After two years.
    It was a strange experience, one that made her feel like she was floating through her days. She wasn’t unhappy about it. Not in the least.
    Perhaps a little bit uneasy, though.
    She pushed that thought down and continued on through the halls. She was looking for Leon, who had become more mobile and was beginning to wander about the estate more. He still didn’t remember anything, but he was feeling much better, and he had taken it upon himself to relearn every inch of the grounds.
    She imagined he was somewhere in the gardens.
    This isn’t real. When he remembers he’s going to go back to the way he was. When he remembers, he’ll be consumed with work, with desire for women who actually know what they’re doing. Not sad virgins who have spent most of their lives cosseted away.
    She gritted her teeth, ignoring that mean little voice. It was the source of her disquiet. And it was, unfortunately, far too accurate for her to deny.
    “Ms. Tanner.” The housekeeper rushed to where Rose was standing, a worried look on her face. “Someone is here to see Mr. Carides.”
    Rose shook her head. “That’s impossible. Leon can’t see anyone. We don’t want anyone to know about his memory.”
    “It’s just... It is a woman.”
    Rose’s stomach dropped into her feet. “Is it?”
    As far as she knew Leon didn’t have mistresses in a traditional sense. He slept with other women, that was true, but there were none that he had a special connection with.
    “A woman. A lawyer. And a baby.”
    Rose didn’t even respond. Before she could think anything through she was running straight toward the front door, her heart pounding so hard she could scarcely breathe.
    She was half expecting her housekeeper to have made everything up. For there to be no one standing at the door. For it to be empty, and everything to be the way that it was a few moments ago. Perfect, and beautiful, and not falling down around her.
    The woman was beautiful. Blonde, tall, expertly made up. She was dressed simply, but effectively, every piece of clothing accentuating her coloring, her shape, and highlighting her beauty. The man next to her was grim-faced, clad in a sharp suit. And right in front of them was a car seat, the shade drawn over the part where the baby sat, concealing it from view.
    “I am Leon Carides’s wife,” Rose said, her voice trembling. “What exactly is happening here?”
    “My client has some things to discuss with Mr. Carides.” It was the lawyer who spoke, the woman beside him extremely silent and pale.
    “I don’t know if you heard or not, but my husband was recently in a serious car accident. He’s still recovering.”
    “Still, I imagine he will want to hear what we have to say,” the lawyer said.
    “I want to hear what you have to say,” she said, her tone insistent.
    “If you can get hold of him, and ask his permission to hear the details, I’m certain we can fill you in.”
    “I don’t see any point in being coy about it,” the woman said, crossing her arms beneath her breasts, her expression turning determined. “I want to see Leon. I want to give him his baby.”
    She had known what this was. The moment she’d heard who was at the door she’d known. But she still didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want to believe what this woman was saying.
    “I’m sorry,” Rose said, asking for clarity she didn’t truly need. “What?”
    “His baby,” she said. “The child is his, and it’s time for him to take responsibility.”
    * * *
    By the time they were all seated in Leon’s office, Rose was in a daze. Leon did not look like he was faring much better. He could only stare blank-faced at the woman who was claiming to be the mother of his child. A child who was only four months old.
    Rose bit back a cry of hysteria at the thought. Yes, she knew he had been with other women over the course of their marriage. But never, ever had she been asked to deal with the reality of it in