The Unforgettable Hero by Valerie Bowman Read Free Book Online Page B

ill.”
    “Yes, well, she was adamant that you stay far away from the house. She doesn’t want you catching whatever she’s got on top of your injury.”
    “I completely understand,” Maggie replied. “And I certainly don’t want to worry her further. I can only imagine how worried she must have been when she learned of my accident.”
    Blushing, Maggie didn’t add that she was actually happy to remain in Peter’s company. She dared a glance at him. Why couldn’t she remember their first kiss? He’d stolen one of course, when he’d proposed, but for the life of her she couldn’t recall the details. That was a shame. Her head was still fuzzy. But no doubt her memory would return at any moment. She glanced up at the facade of the fine house in front of them. She didn’t recall this location, either, but perhaps she’d never been to a ball here before.
    Lucy, that dear, seemed to like the Findleys immensely. That was all Maggie needed to know. She glanced over at Lucy. Peter’s sister-in-law was a beautiful lady. Her husband, Derek, was an enormous man who looked a great deal like Peter only seemed to be about twice his size. Derek was indeed quite handsome, but Maggie much preferred her betrothed’s slender build.
    “My friends Cassandra and Jane will be here this evening. I’m so looking forward to introducing you to them,” Lucy said, snapping Maggie from her thoughts.
    She searched her memory. “Cassandra? And Jane?” The names weren’t familiar.
    “Yes, Cassandra Swift, the Countess of Swifdon, and Mrs. Jane Upton, the future Countess of Upbridge.”
    No. Neither name was familiar, and neither were the titles. That was odd. Maggie didn’t want to let on that her memory was still so poor. It might worry Lucy further, and she’d been so kind to Maggie.
    “I look forward to meeting them both,” Maggie said with a bright smile on her face.
    Peter was quiet, but she surreptitiously glanced at him again as she’d been doing the entire ride to the party. She’d caught him looking at her once and blushed. He’d smiled at her and then reverted his gaze out the window. My, but he was handsome, and after their talk this morning she’d decided he was kindhearted as well. He’d been so nice to her.
    The coach came to a stop, and a footman opened the door and let out the stairs. Derek alighted first and helped down his wife. Then Peter alighted and turned back to assist Maggie. She blushed when he took her hand. Oh, perhaps it was better that Mother wasn’t here to see this.
    As soon as Maggie settled her slippers onto the ground, Peter offered his arm and she took it. They followed Derek and Lucy to the queue where the guests were waiting to enter the ballroom. Odd that Peter, the duke, should follow his brother.
    Lucy scanned the crowd. “Do you see anyone you know, Lady Magnolia?” she asked in what Maggie could only describe as an overly loud voice.
    Peter elbowed his sister-in-law. Lucy shrugged.
    That was also odd indeed.
    Maggie looked about, but no one in the sea of faces seemed familiar to her. Panic filled her chest. She should know these people, shouldn’t she? All of these people. Most of these people at least.
    The queue had barely begun to move when Lucy grabbed Maggie’s hand, her other hand atop her coiffure. “Lady Magnolia, won’t you come with me to the retiring room? I find I am having a crisis with my hairpins.”
    Maggie frowned. Besides the hand planted atop her head, Lucy’s hair looked perfectly in order. “Now? Before we’re introduced?”
    Lucy squeezed her wrist. “Yes, please. I do so need your help.”
    Oh, dear, perhaps there was underlying mayhem in Lucy’s coiffure after all. Maggie had little choice but to accompany the duchess into the house, where they wended their way through corridors full of polished marble floors until they came to the ladies’ retiring room. Lucy certainly seemed to know her way around the Findleys’ home.
    “I don’t recall ever