CHAPTER 81 - MY WONDERFUL MADAM, HARRIET GOLDLANEDaniel looked at Liam with a dumbfounded expression. What just happened? He found Liam's question confusing.
“You don't remember about Madam at all, Milord? You don't remember what happened before you fell unconscious?" asked Daniel who also looked very worried for his master.
Liam fell silent and shook his head.
“For goodness sake…” Daniel's chest tightened, making him take a deep breath.
Liam's eyes were filled with extreme fear. He was afraid of his inability to remember anything. He was afraid of losing that precious feeling. He was afraid of losing his memory of that woman–
“No… oh, no, I can't even remember her name. What's my wife's name, Daniel? Tell me, please," Liam begged softly, trying to lower his voice, hiding his fear from the woman behind the door.
“Young Lord…” hearing how desperate Liam was, Daniel's voice began to tremble. “…You married Madam Harriet Goldlane a few months ago. She married you after agreeing to the deal made by the Old Duke…”
As much as possible, Daniel told Liam everything. But of course, what Daniel told couldn't be as detailed as what actually happened between Liam and Harriet. Hearing Daniel's story, Liam slowly calmed down. He took many deep breaths and braced himself, trying to get out of bed.
That was how the gleam in Liam's golden eyes began to stabilize, and in the last part, Daniel also told about Harriet's pregnancy and what happened to Liam three days ago.
Once again, guilt crept into Liam's empty chest. The woman was pregnant with his child, and he forgot about her. Daniel saw him, as the tips of Liam's trembling fingers squeezed his own head.
After the story ended, Daniel asked his master, “Young Lord, do I need to ask Madam not to see you for a while? Do you need some alone time?”
Liam shook his head.
"No. I don't want to worry her," the man replied.
He didn't want to worry her, and he didn't want to make her suspect that something was wrong. He didn't want Harriet to know he had forgotten her.
Daniel bowed and walked towards the door. He saw Harriet standing directly behind the door and immediately saluted before withdrawing.
Harriet immediately walked inside.
"Milord," Harriet walked quickly to Liam. The woman carefully sat on the side of the bed and checked Liam's temperature by placing her hands on Liam's cheeks and neck. “You frighten me, Milord,” the woman slowly began to sob.
"Harriet," Liam hugged her tightly, ignoring his aching body. "Don't cry, my dear wife," the man whispered.
Harriet chuckled, still sobbing with eyes filled with witty astonishment. "As soon as you wake up, you immediately call me that sweetly? Did you have a bad dream?”
Liam hid his surprise with a crooked smile. How did he usually call his wife? He couldn't remember at all.
Did he usually call her by her first name? Ahhh, Liam felt stupid.
Maybe… maybe Harriet didn't like being called in a sweet way? Or was it… because they got married by agreement, there was no confirmed love between them? Did Harriet not love him? Did Harriet…
"Then how do you want me to call you?" Liam finally tried to ask with mischievous eyes, hiding his ignorance.
Harriet hugged Liam tightly and chuckled amidst her soft sobs. "What, Milord used to call me Madam all the time… it's strange to hear you call me in another way," she said then.
Ah.
Madam.
Liam furrowed his brows, and then a wave of memory hit his head. "Ugh!"
Harriet looked up to see Liam clutching his head hard. As if triggered by something, Harriet jumped into action. She stood up and ran to the door, calling for the physicians again.
"Daniel! Physician! Help!"
Liam was surprised at how responsive Harriet was to his condition and pain. He furrowed his brows.
“Madam!” Liam called out, causing the woman to turn to look at him with concern written all over her face.
He held out his hand to Harriet and she walked closer. Liam pulled her even closer to him gently and hugged her back tightly. "Don't worry, my dear Madam," Liam waved at Daniel and the physicians who reappeared at the door, shooing them away with a reassuring smile so they wouldn't panic.
“My beautiful Madam, I am fine. Don't cry and give me a smile, okay?” Liam asked as if he was pleading so sincerely.
Harriet looked at her husband in surprise.
What happened to Liam? Why did he sound so weird? He was acting so sweet, it made her feel confused because this felt so suspicious.
Was there something he was hiding when he talked to Daniel earlier? Should Harriet ask Daniel to find out what the man was hiding? Harriet was worried it was a thing about Liam's condition. She must know.
Seeing Harriet look at him surprised and suspicious, Liam smiled blandly. In her eyes, Harriet was probably disgusted that her contract husband was suddenly acting weird like this, right? But when Liam focused on the word 'Madam', he recalled a series of memories in his head.
Rows of memories of a woman who smiled sweetly at him. This woman he loved, this woman facing him.
"You don't want to smile? Okay. D-do you want to rest now?” awkwardly, Liam took a shaky breath.
Harriet smiled. This time so warmly. She seemed to be aware of Liam's nervousness, but she didn't comment, knowing that Liam might be hiding something for her sake.
"Okay, let's get some rest now," said Harriet calmly.
Harriet walked to the closet and took off her dress. Liam who was still looking at her in silence widened his eyes seeing the smooth skin of Harriet's back and waist that was visible from where he was. He also saw her garter belt and stockings, making him gulp.
Aaah, that's right. They are husband and wife. They are husband and wife. They are husband and–
Harriet finished changing her clothes and turned to Liam who immediately looked away. Liam was still looking the other way when he realized Harriet was starting to climb up the bed and lay down beside him. Ahh, so they sleep together? Of course. They are husband and wife.
Liam tried to calm himself down. He managed to make his body no longer tense by looking straight at the ceiling.
That was when Harriet slid close to his side and leaned against his shoulder.
Liam's body automatically stiffened again.
'What are you, Liam? A fucking virgin?'
Liam cursed himself.
He believed he would remember everything slowly. He was very optimistic about it because earlier he had started to remember a little about Harriet. Liam made a plan. He'd jot down everything about Harriet and get into the habit of going over his notes every morning and making sure he hadn't forgotten anything.
He would make Harriet the happiest woman in the world.
Of course.
Of course, Harriet had to be the happiest woman in the world. So Liam reached out his hand to hug Harriet by his side.
Harriet.
Harriet Goldlane.
Madam Harriet Goldlane.
Liam chanted Harriet's name in his head until he fell asleep as if he didn't want to forget that precious name anymore. He held back his fears by convincing himself, using the woman's name as a magic spell to pluck up courage.
Harriet.
His Love, Harriet Goldlane.
His Wonderful Madam, Harriet Goldlane.