Read Online Secrets by Brenda Joyce - Free Book Online

pleasant, woodsy cologne.
    He caught her staring. Regina smiled in response, because she was glad to see him and because she hadn’t forgotten for a moment that he had rescued her and that he had also offered to be her protector. He did not smilein return. His gaze was enigmatic. His thoughts, whatever they might be, were well-hidden. The intensity and fire he had evinced yesterday were securely guarded and thoroughly banked.
    â€œWell, now that the patient has been examined, I’m going,” Doc said cheerfully from the position he’d maintained near the bed.
    Regina started. She had forgotten the doctor was present. And he did not seem at all astonished at the exchange he had also witnessed, or in the least bit discomfitted. Rick walked him to the door, thanking him.
    Slade’s gaze slid over her, making her skin tingle. Softly, he asked, “What did Doc say?”
    â€œThat I’ll probably recover—in time.”
    Slade said nothing and Rick returned to them. Regina was intensely aware of Slade and had lost much of her appetite. She poured both men coffee, asking them how they liked it and fixing it for them. She pretended to eat. Both men sipped their coffee in silence, waiting for her to finish, Rick sitting in the one chair at the table with her, Slade lounging against the bureau behind her. In the dead quiet of the small hotel room, she was powerfully aware of Slade. His presence was strong, definite. She could feel him watching her. She was reminded of a tiger she had once seen in a zoo, dangerous if released, unfathomable caged, and predatory if stimulated.
    â€œElizabeth,” Rick said when she was done, “we didn’t get a chance to really talk last night. But we have to talk now, because I have to go back to Miramar today.”
    Regina started. His words made her realize that her situation was fragile and uncertain. Rick was going to return to Miramar. She could only assume that Slade would, too. And where did that leave her?
    She clutched her napkin. Had James been alive, she would be going with them, to her wedding. But James was dead. Where would she go, what would she do? Last night Rick had answered all the questions that she had had about her home. She had been raised in San Luis Obispo although she had been attending a very exclusive school for young ladies in London since shewas thirteen years old. Her father had died last year, and her stepmother had already remarried. Regina wondered if her stepmother would welcome her into her household. “I suppose I will be going home,” she said uncertainly, and she found herself turning so she could look at Slade. Her gaze locked with his, questioning.
    But he said nothing. His expression was grim.
    â€œThat’s what I want to discuss with you,” Rick said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be traveling now, when you don’t have your memory. Especially not alone.”
    She agreed with him wholeheartedly. The thought of traveling alone was unappealing when she was in such a vulnerable condition, even for such a short trip, but the truth of the matter went beyond that. She was already establishing a niche here, while home was nothing but a concept, one that should have been inviting, but that, under the circumstances, offered her very little comfort. “I suppose,” she said slowly, wanting to look at Slade who was still behind her, “that when my companion recovers we can travel together.”
    Rick hesitated. “Mrs. Schroener died yesterday, after the train came in—before you and Slade even arrived.”
    Regina was shocked.
    â€œI could always send you home with one of my boys,” Rick said, “but even with an escort, I’m not sure you should travel right now. Doc has advised against it.”
    Not being able to remember her chaperone helped Regina recover her wits quickly. “I must send word to her relatives, if we can find