Danice Allen by Remember Me Page B

naturally hope will be of short duration.”
    She smiled gamely at Mrs. Beane, then gazed down on the stranger with an expression she hoped would pass for fondness. However, it was hard maintaining her devoted pose when the stranger returned her look with one of pure devilish intent. Amanda sincerely hoped he’d not say or do anything to embarrass her or expose her lies to Mrs. Beane.
    Mrs. Beane tsk-tsked about his lordship’s loss of memory, but Amanda was quite sure the old hag wouldn’t lose sleep over it as long as the earl didn’t forget where he kept his purse when the time came to divvy up the ready. “What a shame,” she said, then moved right on to business. “Will you be stayin’ a few more days, then?”
    “I don’t—” Amanda began, but was interrupted by his lordship himself.
    “My wife and I will be leaving tomorrow,” said the stranger, smiling dulcetly at Mrs. Beane and lifting Amanda’s hand to his lips to kiss it. The pleasant sensation that shot up her arm at the touch of his warm mouth kept Amanda speechless as the stranger continued. “Although I am unable to remember precisely what it is, we have urgent business to attend to … do we not, my darling?”
    “Well, yes, I … that is … we do,” Amanda said weakly, surprised by the stranger’s sudden participation in her charade and thoroughly unprepared for the effect it was having on her. To be called “my darling” by such a man, even in the most mocking tones, made her spinster’s heart race like a thoroughbred.
    “Are ye sure ye’ll be well enough, milord?” asked Mrs. Beane, who had probably hoped to keep the well-heeled earl and his entourage under her roof for at least a week. “You’ve not yet seen the doctor today.”
    “Naturally I’ll submit to the doctor’s examination and consider all precautions he suggests. However, I’m absolutely certain that despite my indistinct memory of her more tender qualities, should we leave the inn this instant I have complete faith in my wife’s abilities to take prodigious good care of all my needs.” He squeezed Amanda’s fingers nearly as hard as she’d squeezed his, then smiled up at her like a mooncalf.
    If he was trying to pretend he was fond of her, Amanda was quite sure he was overdoing it and Mrs. Beane would see right through his exaggerated sentimentality.
    “Well, stay as long as you like,” said Mrs. Beane, backing toward the door with a disappointed expression. “Are there any special requests for luncheon?”
    “Yes,” the stranger said, sitting forward eagerly and wincing as if it made his head hurt to move even slightly. “I’d like a nice kidney pie, a roast chicken, cream cheese and bread, potatoes—” He stopped to ponder, then added, “Do you have beer, Mrs. Beane?”
    “Dearest, you know you can’t have beer,” Amanda interrupted in a soft tone but with a look that spoke volumes. Then she turned to Mrs. Beane and asked, “Do you know how to make a nice beef broth?”
    “I should say I do,” said Mrs. Beane a little defensively.
    “That’s all the earl will be having for luncheon today. Well, and perhaps some weak tea and a small crust of bread. By dinner he might be able to dine a little more heartily.”
    “I should hope so, or I’ll bloody well starve,” said the stranger under his breath, just loud enough for Amanda to hear him.
    “What was that, milord?” inquired Mrs. Beane, only too ready cater to a rich earl’s every whim.
    “Nothing, Mrs. Beane,” said Amanda, stepping forward to graciously hurry her out the door. “You have been extremely hospitable. Thank you, but that’s all we’ll be needing for now. Do send the doctor up as soon as he arrives, if you please.”
    When Mrs. Beane left, doubtless sorry that the earl’s wants were so moderate, the stranger looked eager to take Amanda to task. Knowing how protective Theo was, Amanda asked her devoted servant to leave them alone. He pulled a mulish face and scowled as