Posted on: 2011-05-25

Chapter one

A bright light flashed before her eyes and she struggled away from it. She pressed her eyes together and tried to drift back into her dreams. At that moment a rumble erupted in her head and sent violent shudders around her body. She bit past the pain quickly and issued a low groan. She heard movement to the right of her, then a voice close by.

"Betty, please fetch Doctor Townsend. He is in the library with Daniel" A silky voice oozed itself into her thoughts as she turned her head slightly towards the noise.

"Of course, my lady" Came the reply, a little way off and a much higher pitch. There was a scraping sound, a small bang, then silence. In the quiet that issued, the girl tried to get a grip with her thoughts. First of all she wondered where she was. Her mind struggled to find answers but none came. Now she truly thought about it she couldn't remember anything before the time she awoke. Her dream was even a mystery to her, but something deep inside told her that she could never remember her dreams regardless. She lay there a few minutes longer battling with the remnants of sleep and her own mind until she became terribly frustrated. She was so worked up with herself she hadn't even noticed the door open then close.

"Mother? Is she awake?" Came a deep male voice from the door. At once she stopped fidgeting and lay still. She found the voice to calm her considerably.

"Yes, she seems distressed but has yet to open her eyes. You should not be here, Daniel" The silky voiced woman replied quickly.

"I wanted to see if she was well" This time the male's voice was closer, moving towards her quite quickly. The silky voiced didn't reply but she heard an irritated huff. She struggled slightly trying to open her eyes in vain, but her body was not awake enough for her to do so, besides the light of the room was still too bright for her. A small hand came down on her arm in an attempt to calm her.

"Lady Greycote, I heard our patient is awake" A gruff voice sounded now. She was feeling a bit dizzy and losing count of all the voices. Had 'Betty' returned? Or was it just the three?

"Yes Doctor Townsend, I believe she is waking" Heavy footsteps approached her and a rough hand came down on her forehead. The gruff voice muttered a few words under his breath which she could barely pick out before instructing her to open her eyes.

This time, as if by magic she managed to force them open and battle against the light of the room. Three hazy figures loamed before her. They spun and flickered a few times before coming into focus. There were two men and one woman. The woman looked quite elderly and looked down at her with a kind smile on her face. The first man was older, she knew immediately such a face belonged with the gruff voice. He didn't have an ugly face; in fact he had probably been very handsome some years ago. The third face was totally different. A pair of light grey speckled eyes came in contact with her own, before she addressed the rest of a young handsome face and thick dark hair. She stared at the third man a little longer than necessary before turning back to the man she presumed was 'Doctor Townsend'.

"Good morning" He offered brightly, as him and the elderly woman helped her sit up in bed. The younger man had retreated back a few steps and now stood in the shadows of the room.

"Hello" She muttered weakly. Startled slightly by the sound of her own voice.

"My name is Doctor Townsend" He started and she nodded her head in understanding. "Do you know your name" She thought it a ridiculous question at first, who didn't know their own name? She searched for it for a few moments, and realized that she did not know it. Her face contracted into a frown and she became agitated.

"I am sorry, but I…" Tears of frustration brimmed in her eyes.

"Do not worry, my dear" The woman offered as she gently took her hand in her own. "Daniel, the pitcher" She directed the man in the corner with a nod of her head. She watched him move quickly towards the sideboard and bring forward a pitcher of water and a glass. The elderly woman pored a glassful quickly as she tried to control her tears. She accepted the water and drank it quickly as the handsome man returned to the shadows again instantly.

"Thank you" She said softly when she had emptied the glass and the elderly woman had taken it from her clasp. She turned her attention back to the doctor.

"Do you remember anything?" He asked slowly, trying to be as gentle as he could. He didn't want to upset or distress her more than she was already. A few more tears fell after a prolonged silence. She finally shook her head telling the doctor she didn't remember anything. She accepted another glass of water and sipped it slowly this time. Her head felt heavy and light at the same time. She didn't know what to feel and was unsure how she should think. She started to unconsciously shake and the man in the shadows stepped forward.

"What's going to happen to me? I cannot remember anything" She gasped between sobs. She was now shaking so much that the elderly woman found it wise to remove the water from her clasp. The elderly woman went to speak but the young gentleman interrupted her.

"You will stay here, as our guest" He told her quickly, then turned to the doctor "This is amnesia isn't it? Caused by the accident?"

"What accident?" Her voice was wobbling terribly now. The doctor hushed her quietly.

"We will explain that later. And yes, my lord. This is amnesia"

"Then there is a chance of her regaining her memories?" He pressed. She looked at his profile and thought him very handsome indeed. His eyes were not off her for long, however. After another second he looked at her with concern.

"Yes. Of course there is a chance. But time will tell how much – if anything – she regains" The young lord nodded his head at the doctor and thanked him for his help; he then asked what should be done.

"Your young lady will need to rest for several days, and not over exert herself. I also advice giving her a name" All eyes turned to her on the bed. She looked at them one by one, but found it difficult to hold the young man's gaze without flushing slightly.

"What will it be, my dear?" She was stuck as to what to say, a thousand names rushed around her head and she did not know how to pick one.

"I do know, that is to say one does not usually choose their own names. Couldn't one of you?" She asked timidly, gazing down at her hands instead of at the company.

"You are quite right. Well then gentlemen, what will it be?" Replied the kind woman, she turned to the two gentlemen and waited eagerly for a reply.

"Emma" Came the Doctor's first suggestion almost instantly, leading her to believe he knew an Emma long back and wanted to be reminded of her once again.

"Too short!" cried the woman beside her. She watched her intently and decided she rather like the kind elderly woman. She imagined her and the younger gentleman to be related, they had the same grey eyes.

"Rose" Was the young man's first suggestion, followed quickly by Doctor Townsends' "Lily"

"We are not listing flowers. She does not look like a Rose or a lily. Her hair is too dark, so are her eyes" She swallowed hard as the young man turned to examine her face again. She felt uncomfortable lying there with three strangers staring at her like a caged animal, however tender their looks. Then again, she thought quickly, maybe they weren't strangers after all. But if they were not, why didn't they give her her true name.
"Molly" The doctor tried again.

"We are not naming a dog"

"Dorothy" The young man teased slightly, giving his mother a chance to inflict her authority. He looked down at the girl with sparkling eyes, but found her somewhat distressed by her circumstances. Who could blame her? He thought quickly.

"Nor a cow" The room lapsed into silence again for a few minutes, as the young man leant on a bed post and looked with amusement at his mother, before turning his attention towards the doctor who was trying his hardest to think of a suitable name.

"Men, they are quite useless are they not?" The elderly woman gave her a gentle smile, which she managed to return sincerely. For what she felt in her stomach, she had not had much experience with men.

"How about Harriet? She reminds me so much of an old childhood friend of mine called Harriet. They have the same eyes. She was such a lovely girl. Do either of you men have an objection?" She looked between the two men and waited patiently. She found her tears had stopped slowly when the name was chosen, at least now she would be certain about something in her life.

"Shouldn't we ask our guest?" The young man enquired with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Of course, how about it? Do you feel like a Harriet?"

"I like Harriet" She admitted shyly, meeting her gaze with the elderly woman, and her alone.

"There then we are settled. I will take my leave now and allow our guest to get comfortable and rest further. I will return within the day to check on you, Harriet" The Doctor headed towards the door and pulled it open suddenly, the young man bowed to him quickly before turning his attention back to the bed.
"Thank you Doctor" She called after him before he shut the door and was away. The room was still and mellow for a few moments before:

"Now that we know you name, dear, we can make proper introductions!" All Harriet could do was nod in consent.

"Well, now we all know you're name… I am Rebecca Bracken, and this is my son Daniel, the Earl of Greycote" She introduced with a smile. Harriet could already tell how immensely proud she was of her son by the way that she looked at him and the pride in her voice at his introduction.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Harriet" Lord Greycote said with a small bow. Harriet dipped her head in return.

"Likewise. Pray tell me, how did I come to be here?"

Darcy paced through the gallery at Pemberley towards the window which stretch along one wall and gave a view of the front of his estate and the road winding its way down to Lambton. He knew his wife would be seated there, she had been all afternoon. She was a most dedicated sister indeed. He rounded the corner and found her sitting on a chair she had pulled up towards the window. She turned her head eagerly when she heard some disturbance.

"Is Mary here?" She asked quickly, a glimmer of hope lighting up her face. Darcy didn't want to tell her that had her sister arrived she would have spotted it from her window. He saw how anxious she was about everything so he crossed to her chair and rested himself on the stuffed arm.

"No dear, she has not arrived here yet" He bent forward and planted a swift kiss onto his wife's forehead. Elizabeth sat back and sighed quietly.

"I don't know where she could be. What if something truly awful has happened to her?" Darcy stroked her hair now, in an attempt to soothe her.

"Elizabeth, nothing will have happened to her. I am sure they have just been delayed at Longbourn. Or their carriage has a broken wheel and they are waiting for it to be repaired. Nothing will have happened to Mary" Elizabeth nodded slowly, but still looking out of the window with fearful eyes. Darcy gave her a weak smile before bending down and kissing her head once again before burying his face into her hair. He hated seeing Elizabeth sick with worry, it made him feel dreadfully uneasy. After sitting with her for a few minutes he got the impression she wanted to be left in solitude so made a quick excuse and left her in peace.

He managed to keep himself occupied around the house and with Georgiana until he went to retire to the master chamber. On his way to the third floor he passed by the window and saw his wife still in her former position in her chair. He approached slowly in the slight flickering light and noticed that she was slumped sideways into the arm chair with her legs over hanging one of the arms. He stood still for a few minutes admiring her peaceful sleeping form. He bent down in front of her savouring the contented look on her face.

In one swift movement he had his wife in his arms and was carrying her to their bed chamber. He thought about how distressed his wife had seemed and his mind began to wonder. What if something terrible had happened to Mary? How would Elizabeth bare such news? He would have shaken his head of all thoughts if Mary was not twelve hours delayed. Surely he would have heard some news by now. Someone would have ridden ahead and given him word about the situation, but no. The members of the house had not heard hide nor hair of them.

Once he had carried Elizabeth's sleeping form all the way to the bed, he gently laid her down. Then he busied himself with removing her outer layers so that she could sleep with relative ease. Once that was completed he changed himself and then tucked them both soundly into bed. He took one last lingering look into her face before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

Elizabeth awoke in the late hours of the morning and looked around. She was back in their bed next to the slumbering form of her husband. She quickly realized that he must have carried her to her bed. She turned to face him and reached forward to place a light kiss on his cheek. He sighed in his sleep and fidgeted a little but did not wake. She beamed down at him, counting her blessings that he was her husband and would love her always. She then slipped out of bed and heading downstairs.

Darcy finally woke when his wife took a firm hold of his shoulders and shook him violently. He opened his eyes slowly with a groan but soon felt wide awake when his wife looked down at him with tears streaming down her face. He immediately sat bolt upright in bed and had her clasped in his embrace.

"She still is not here!" Elizabeth managed to mutter in sobs. Darcy immediately quietened her, rubbing his thumb up and down her back in motions he knew she found calming. He said nothing until he was satisfied his wife had calmed down slightly. He pulled her gently from his grasp and then placed his large palms on the sides of her face.

"I will send a man out along their route and make sure he enquires at every town. Would that help?" Elizabeth nodded slowly as she looked up into his wide dark eyes. She shut her eyes tight and willed herself not to burst into more tears. Darcy pressed his lips to her tear stained cheek softly before pulling her back into his grip.

Harriet recovered well. She was visited twice more by Doctor Townsend in the next two days before he permitted her well enough to leave her room. In truth Harriet was exhausted. She had been racking her brain none stop for days trying to remember anything about her life. Who was she? Was her most common question. She could be anyone, from a farmer's daughter to the wife of some rich peer. She hoped she wasn't married. She did not feel a great ache at being separated from anyone she loved, but she didn't suppose she would if she couldn't remember them.

The Dowager Countess Greycote sat with her for a few hours every day. Harriet grew to love the lady more and more with each passing hour, and the lady had even permitted her to call her Rebecca. Because Harriet had no stories of her own, Rebecca spent the time telling Harriet all of her fondest memories. They often included the Earl and the late Earl. Harriet loved to hear these stories, they made her laugh until she had a stitch and tears in her eyes. Rebecca told her such wonderful stories which she swore were all true, but all utter ridiculous. She then told Harriet about their old pet cow called Dorothy. She then admitted she did not know why her son even suggested it as a name for Harriet, to which Harriet replied that he was probably in jest. Harriet hadn't seen the Earl since their first encounter but Rebecca always told her that the Earl wished that she got well again soon.

The Earl sat in his study one Saturday morning reading over some letters from town when he heard laughter coming from the grounds. He stood and walked quickly over towards the window. A smile lit up on his face when he saw the scene. Down by the small man made pond sat his mother and Harriet in deep conversation with each other. Every few moments both would burst out into laughter then say some witty comment with a smirk on their faces. Daniel was greatly pleased by the friendship that had formed between Harriet and his mother. He had always worried that the Dowager Countess had never really enjoyed anyone's conversation as much after his own excellent father had passed away some years ago. It was very refreshing to see such a lovely young woman make her laugh and smile constantly.

However, he was still uncertain about Harriet. She was a kind, pleasant young woman, not to mention he found her extremely interesting. But, what of her relations and her circumstances? What of her birth? She could be anyone, a harlot or a Duchess. There was no way of telling, well not until people start to look for her at least. He studied her more from his window and hoped that she wasn't married. He didn't know what it was about her face – for she wasn't exceptionally beautiful, or his usual type – but something about her drew and interested him in her. He sighed slowly before casting a glance at his correspondences. Hang it! He told himself quickly before crossing the room and out the door with every intention of joining the women down by the lake.

Harriet looked up from the bench when she heard someone approach. Her gaze immediately met that of the Earl. She dipped her head in acknowledgement before turning herself fully to face him.

"Oh Daniel!" cried his mother. "Come to join us, have you?" She teased him with a glint in her eye. She had already picked Harriet out as his bride, no matter her background. There was a chance she would never remember any of it.

"I have indeed" Daniel replied in the same teasing tone "I could not keep away" He smiled down at them charmingly. Harriet had quickly realized that the Dowager Countess had a charming smile, it was her best feature. She was glad that it was a trait that her son shared.

"Well, since we provide such good company, you must accompany us to Frayton, Harriet here needs some new clothes and I am more than willing to buy them. She only possesses this dress in the whole world"

"Oh no please! You mustn't buy me new dresses, I beg you" Harriet tried to insist quickly, giving Daniel a look he soon understood to mean 'reason with your mother'

"I am sorry, Harriet. But once my mother has decided on something she will not let it slide"

"Exactly. Then you will accompany us, dear!"

Before either young person quite knew what had happened they had all been bundled into Daniel's curricle and headed in the direction of Frayton village. Rebecca sat in-between the pair and made light conversation. Both Daniel and Harriet soon found it pleasing to gently tease each other at every opportunity.

Harriet soon found that Frayton was a gorgeous village that must have only been situated about three miles from the Earls home of Frayton Abbey. It was placed in the middle of some rolling hills which stretch off down into a valley, in which you could see the next village and beyond that a larger town, but Harriet didn't know which one. She did not have much chance to see the village, Rebecca rushed her off towards a dress shop which Harriet found she was apprehensive about. Daniel rolled his eyes at his mother before giving Harriet an apologetic glance. She gave him a small smile before following Rebecca into the shop. Daniel let loose a smile to her back as he stood there for a few moments before turning and meandering towards the bookshop on the opposite side of the small square.

Harriet retreated to her chambers after they finally returned to the house. She was exhausted. Rebecca had insisted on getting her seven dresses right away – she claimed it was the basics; one for every day – and then another special one was made right there in the shop for a dinner party the Earl was hosting that evening. Harriet had protested profusely. She argued that surely no one would want to talk to a girl with no past and no stories of her own. Rebecca insisted that everyone would want to talk to her as she was very lovely and dreadfully interesting. Harriet still wasn't satisfied.

"It would mess up the seating and the courses. Also the Earl has expressed no wish to have me there" Harriet continued as they walked back towards where Daniel stood with the curricle. Harriet watched him as the approached, he was stood leant against the wooden side with his head turned sideways watching some action across the square. Her heart gave a small leap when a gentle breeze blew the end of his thick straight hair across his face. In the process of studying him she had quite missed what Rebecca had been saying until they had joined Daniel at the curricle. He gracefully took Harriet's readymade dress into his arms and gestured for the two women to climb aboard. Once they were settled he handed the dress gingerly back to Harriet before walking around to the other side and gently nudging the horses into life.

"I was just telling Harriet, my dear. That she must attend the dinner party tonight"

"Of course she must. I could not bear to part you two now you are so well acquainted" He replied with a smile as he watched the lane in front of them.

"You are too kind, but I really insist that –" Harriet tried to make an apology before Daniel interrupted her quickly, his voice surprisingly curt.

"I have already said you will attend" Harriet was taken aback. Up until that moment she had not though it possible for the Earl to say anything which was not out of kindness. Although she ought to feel some embarrassment for negative emotion, she could not. She could only marvel in his steadfast nature.

"Once Daniel is decided on something he will not let it slide" Rebecca whispered to Harriet as a mimic of her son earlier. Although she had said it quietly the Earl had still heard. He threw his mother a glance that signalled abhorrence but when he turned his eyes back to the road he couldn't help but smile.

It was almost seven by the time Harriet's temporary maid had finished with her hair and helping her dress. Amanda had taken one look at Harriet and decided there was very little she could do. The girl could have been seen as pretty, her dark eyes were wide and her long hair silky, but she was not as pretty as any other woman that the Earl had entertained. However, Amanda did her best, her hair was pinned back into a loose bun with tiny flowers scattered in the hair. Then she allowed a few straight locks to fall free and frame her thin face. Amanda was quite proud of her handy work, and however plain Harriet was she was very kind. They had had a nice but short conversation in which Amanda determined Harriet couldn't have come from a background directly linked to the ton.

When she helped Harriet do up the back of her dress she saw the true picture. The dress was a deep blue and highlighted Harriet's dark eyes and hair. It had been simply made but was still elegant and held together at the front with a lighter blue sash. Just as Amanda was fussing with the last strands of the dress there came a knock at the door.

"Are you ready, my dear?" Came Rebecca's voice.

"Yes, I am just coming" She turned to Amanda quickly and thanked her for making her look half decent for the Earl. Amanda smiled readily and told her she was happy to serve her.

Once Rebecca had escorted Harriet downstairs, the lady left it up to Daniel to introduce her to the whole party; which he did most readily. He took her arm in his and guided her gently around the party making introductions. It was obvious to Harriet, after they called her 'Miss Harriet' that either the Earl of Dowager Countess – or indeed both – had already informed the party of her 'condition'.

With Harriet in attendance the seating arrangement had not been tampered too severely, and there was more than enough food to go around the party. As Daniel's mother was seated opposite him at the other end of the table, and Harriet had been seated to her left this afforded him with a good view of the pair. He made an effort not to glace back at them too habitually, he thought of it more as checking up on the pair, making sure that they were enjoying themselves. He also found the need to check up on Harriet personally, most importantly her looks. He noted as soon as he saw her that she looked especially fine tonight. Her new dress was most becoming and however awkward she looked around the guests and being the centre of attention, he found it all rather endearing.

Harriet was enjoying herself considerably too. She was currently engaged in a conversation with a Baron who had far too many stories about his past escapades then appropriate. Harriet wondered as she half listened to the man, whether she had often been in society like this?

She glided through the rooms slowly, stopping by a pillar all of a sudden to listen to an elderly woman rattle off some gossip about a farmer's boy. Then the gossip turned into praise of someone whose voice she just couldn't catch. She pressed on suddenly, the music filling her up to the brim; she walked amongst the crowd watching the dance. Through the people she saw a young couple dancing, both with disgusted looks on their face. The gentleman tall and handsome, the woman young and very pretty. She felt a pang of jealousy when the young woman's eyes caught her and gave her a smile. Then there was a hand on her arm. She turned to find two giggling girls lean towards her and whisper something she didn't understand in her ear. She felt disgusted and dizzy; she stumbled on and on and on and on. "Wait!" She found herself crying out before:

"Miss. Harriet" The Baron's concerned voice kicked her out of her flashback. She turned her bemused eyes towards him and blushed slightly.

"Pray, forgive me. I found myself…miles away" The Baron gave her a warm smile before she requested that he continued with his story.

From the top of the table, Daniel had seen Harriet's eyes glaze over suddenly and her body stiffen. He leant forward in his chair and detached himself from all conversation. He watched as a hundred emotions seemed to flash across her face in a matter of seconds. Her hand gripped the table desperately as if that was the only thing keeping her attached to this world. Then she was back. Her whole body suddenly jerked forward and she gave a look like she wanted to break down and cry.

She had remembered something, he just knew it.

After the women had left when the meal had finished and the men had taken their leave to Daniel's study, the two groups joined swiftly after. Harriet positioned herself out of the way of the company and the attention and picked up a book she had found in the library the day before. It was a book of poetry and she was enjoying it exceedingly.

"Harriet" Came a deep voice from in front of her. She didn't need to look up to understand whose voice it was.

"My lord" She looked up at him with her wide eyes and Daniel found himself swallowing hard.

"May I sit with you a while?" He requested in quite a small voice. She nodded her consent as he took the seat next to her and indicated towards the book of poetry.

"I like that book exceedingly"

"As do I" She replied, she then watched as the Earl smiled at her. Something welled up in her chest again. She could hardly imagine why such a handsome and amiable young man would sit with her out of choice. Harriet knew she wasn't pretty or easy going like the rest of the young women in attendance tonight. She knew she would be receiving several pointed stares from them if she happened to look up.

"I have something particular I wanted to ask you" He broke her thoughts with his request. She looked up at his solemn eyes again and nodded for him to continue.

"You remembered something during the meal didn't you? Something from your past?" She searched his eyes wildly. Had she been so obvious something was amiss?

"How could you tell? Was I very unsubtle?" She replied in a quick whisper. He shook his head instantly.

"No, I am sure only I noticed. You're whole body just seemed to stiffen. What did you see?" He pressed gently. Taking one of her hands in his own and squeezing it. Harriet told him all that she saw slowly and with difficultly. When the Earl noticed tears forming in her eyes he hushed her and suggested she should write everything down instead.

From across the room Lady Greene stood on the arm of her father and watched the pair converse. She had been good friend with Daniel her whole life, all twenty years of it and felt a pang of jealousy and regret when he took Miss. Harriet's hand quickly in his own. For many years now Lady Greene had considered Daniel the handsomest man of her acquaintance and had quickly fallen in love with him at the age of seventeen. However, she knew that Daniel could never return her feelings, and however much it hurt her inside she wanted him to be happy. Bearing that in mind she detached herself from her father and walked timidly towards the couple seated on the sofa.

"Daniel" She started softly. "I do not think you introduced me to Harriet in person" She scolded him with a small smile. Harriet looked up at her and felt rather small. The young woman – perhaps Harriet's own age – was a classic beauty. Her blonde hair and blue eyes shone in the flickering candle light and her smile was magnificent. Daniel smiled up at his old friend before standing and allowing Sophie to sit in his space.

"Of course. I just wanted to save you for myself, Sophie" How he will never know how much those words hurt, Sophie Greene wondered to herself with a stab in her chest. "Miss. Harriet, this is my oldest friend Lady Sophie Greene" Harriet smiled at her as she sat down and Sophie turned to face her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Greene"

"Oh please, if I am to call you Harriet, then you are to call me Sophie" Harriet looked at her smiling face and found a smile of her own creeping up at the corners of her mouth. The women conversed for a few minutes whilst Daniel stood there slightly amused.

"You must go now, my lord" Sophie told him sternly. "I would like to monopolise Harriet's attention for a while"

"As you wish, my lady" He bowed with mock civility. "Harriet" He gave a small nod of the head and a smile before walking off to join his mother at the piano forte.

"He likes you exceedingly" Sophie whispered in Harriet's ear after a few minutes. She turned her head abruptly and went to protest but Sophie hushed her and lifted a trained eyebrow. "I have known him all my life, he can't fool me"