Read Online Tanya Anne Crosby by The Impostor's Kiss - Free Book Online

fact, I thought you were my wife. Isn’t that amusing?” he asked her.
    Her brow furrowed. “Quite,” she agreed, though she didn’t return his smile.
    “I assure you it will never happen again,” he told her, knowing it was a lie. If the opportunity arose, he would surely seize it. However, at the moment, he wanted her compliance and he wasn’tashamed to admit that he would say anything to obtain it. He wanted—needed—her presence at Glen Abbey Manor while he continued his quest. “As compensation, I’ll give you an increase in wages,” he added. “That is…if you agree to remain.”
    She gave him a skeptical glance. “You truly did not know who I was?”
    He shook his head. “Truly.” That much wasn’t a lie. Neither was the pain that flared in his head. It ached him like the devil.
    She seemed to be pondering his explanation and he closed his eyes suddenly, lifting a hand to his temple as he feigned a stumble.
    She rushed forward. “Oh! You shouldn’t be out of bed. Come,” she demanded, pulling him firmly toward the bed. “Sit!” He did as she bade him and she studied him as he sat, nursing his injured head.
    “Look at me. Can you see me clearly?” she asked. He did, and blinked at the look of concern nestled in those beautiful dark eyes. He couldn’t at once respond, so entranced was he by the warm depths of her gaze.
    “My lord?”
    Merrick shook himself out of his momentary stupor to find her regarding him critically. She reached out to examine his wound, nibbling gently at her already swollen lip. “I’ve heard of memorylapses arising after a severe injury to the head. Tell me, is there aught else you don’t recall?”
    It wasn’t precisely a lie. “It’s coming back to me slowly, Chloe.”
    Chloe believed him. He’d never before called her by her given name—always Miss Simon. But she was certain it was a temporary loss of memory. As the injury healed, the fog would surely lift from his brain.
    “I don’t wish to alarm my mother,” he said.
    Chloe didn’t either, but she certainly wasn’t going to allow him to walk away with impunity. “An increase in wages, you say?” Additional funds might allow her to open her own clinic someday. If she could save enough, she would then be able to continue to look after the sick and the poor. She lifted her chin, determined to ask for far more than she knew he was willing to give. Miser that he was, he would surely try to bargain her down. “Perhaps I might be persuaded if you would consider doubling my salary.”
    There was no bartering. “Consider it done,” he said to her surprise.
    Chloe’s brows lifted. “Are you certain, my lord?” Good Lord, the fall had, indeed, juggled his brain!
    “It appears you are indispensable,” he said for answer.
    Chloe’s breath caught at his look. His clear blueeyes seemed to say far more than his words. “N-not at all,” she stammered. “I’m certain Lady Fiona could hire someone far more experienced to nurse her.”
    His blue eyes were fixed upon her, entrapping her gaze. “It’s not my mother who needs you most,” he said softly, and rose from the bed. Chloe’s heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t seem to look away. Something strange passed between them in that instant, some connection she couldn’t quite name.
    “You…you should rest, my lord,” she said a little breathlessly.
    “I’ll see that the funds are available to be dispensed at once.” His gaze released her at last and he turned to go. Stepping over her baggage at the door, he paused before taking his leave. “You would have made a lovely wife,” he said.
    And then he was gone.
     
    Chloe hadn’t the first inkling what had just transpired between them.
    Lindale didn’t seem at all himself.
    Could it be he was telling the truth?
    It was quite rare to lose one’s memory, but not unheard of. If it were true, perhaps she could use his present state to her advantage? Perhaps the deed wasn’t lost to her, after