Chapter 3.
A Familiar Stranger.

Abigail knew she couldn't just stare at the man. She had to somehow reply to his statement, which was almost bordering a question.

"Lord Righton, it seems you were determined to be forgotten. I have neither seen nor heard from you in over three years."

"But to behave as though I am a total stranger. You didn’t even acknowledge that we did had no need of an introduction."

She laughed to hide her growing panic.
"And you, my Lord Righton, just stood there while Lord Birmington tried his best to make a fool of me."

"I was waiting for him to leave, but now he is gone and still you refuse to acknowledge me. I heard you have broken with your aunt. What gave you the courage?  Four years when I offered to elope, you were terrified of her and so refused."

Elope? With this man? Abigail could hardly believe it. Since when did she care for redheads?

I had odd taste in men in the past

Had she really been so intimately connected with this man. No one had ever mentioned her having a love affair before. Had it been a secret affair? How secret? How much of an affair?

"Time toughens us I suppose," she answered his question. "When I came into the money Papa had left for me there was no reason to stay. She has little love for me anyway. After the Viscount disowned my father it was a shame to have me."

"You have gained considerable courage since I last saw you. To come to London and open a charity school all on your own was quite a feat. But why did you not seek me out?"

"I didn't know you wanted to be sought."

"Abigail Havisham, you know how to break a man's heart! First you forced me to leave and now make it seem as though I was the one who abandoned you."

His voice was growing more passionate by the second and Abigail now wanted nothing more than to cut and run from it all.

"It was a long time ago, Lord Righton, what was done was done. I have moved on, perhaps you should too."

A look of pain flashed in his eyes, but he gave a nod. "I see. So it has truly ended. In that case allow m to return this to you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silk handkerchief. He stretched out his hand and she took it from him. Turning it over, Abigail saw her initials embroided in soft blue silk.

"And this." From around his neck he removed a locket. Abigail took it as well. Her hands trembled as she opened it. Sure enough there was a small portrait of her inside.

Abigail looked once more at the stranger. She searched eyes, his face, his figure. The more she stared the more she felt that perhaps she had known him once. There seemed to be something familiar about his gaze. Or was it just her mind playing tricks on her?

But then again, he had her handkerchief and her locket.

"From now on, I shall just be someone you knew once." Lord Righton gave a small bow and turned to go.

"Uh...my lord..." Abigail found herself calling out. He paused and turned to her. "I ended it but you still kept these? And carried them with you at all times?"

"I loved you, Miss Havisham, with all my heart. I thought you loved me as well. I convinced myself that even though you obeyed your aunt and broke with me deep down you were just waiting till you turn twenty one. I was waiting for you to come to me. I see now that I have waited in vain."

Curiosity was getting the better of reason.  "I will be out of town for the school holidays, my lord, but perhaps when I return we can speak in a less crowded setting. There are too many eyes and too many ears in this ballroom."

"What more could you want to say, Miss Havisham?"

"A lot more, Lord Righton, if you will be willing to hear me out."

"Very well. Tell me the time and place?"

"You can come to my school once the Christmas holidays are over. Only do come in the afternoon, once the lessons are over and the children have gone."

"As you wish. I'll bid you a good night, Abigial Havisham."

Lord Righton walked out of the ballroom. Abigail hardly noticed. Her mind was full of all that had been said by this man. Who was he exactly anyway? Elizabeth had never mentioned him before, though it was obvious she was aquanted with him.

But if I ask too much she might think I'm interested. I also might give away the secret of my amnesia.

There was only one way to find out the truth and protect her secret at the same time.

I think it's time pay Aunt Imogen and Cousin George a visit.