Melinda Hammond (14 page)

‘How old was Jason - when she left him?’

‘In his twelfth year. His father took him on the Grand Tour, hired the finest tutors, gave him every advantage, and he is now as you see him. I had thought he would never love any woman, my dear, but I begin to think I was wrong.’ She nodded towards the portrait. ‘You have the look of her, I think.’

Melissa stared at the picture.

‘Do I? Is - is that perhaps why he married me, because I remind him of his mama?’

‘Mayhap, child, but do not fret over that. You have so much more inner beauty than Maria Carlotta ever had: hers was always a restless spirit, while you have a serenity about you that is much more appealing. Jason will love you for what you are, my dear.’

‘Oh ma’am you do not know—’

‘I know a great deal more than you think,’ the old woman interrupted her, smiling faintly.

Melissa shook her head. ‘My only wish is for his happiness.’

‘Then my grandson is a fortunate man.’ The duchess cast a last look at the portrait. ‘I saw Maria in Rome, about fifteen years ago. She was sick then, with only a few months to live. Her lover had been killed in a tavern brawl some years earlier and she earned a bare living teaching English to the children of wealthy Roman families. She was too proud to ask the family for assistance. I offered to help her but she refused even that. Jason has inherited something of her stubborn pride; he will not beg for what he wants, my dear, it is up to you to understand that. But enough of this maudlin talk. Help me to my room, child; Cynthia will be waiting for me. I must change into my travelling clothes if we are to get away today.’

Melissa escorted the dowager duchess to her room and, as she was about to leave her, the old lady called her back.

‘I wish you joy in your marriage, my dear, but if you ever need my help, pray do not be afraid to apply to me in Bath - I will always receive you.’

Melissa flushed a little, wondering how much the duchess really knew about her hasty marriage. With a stuttered
Thank you!
she fled, thankful to be away from the duchess’s too percipient gaze.

* * * *

The conversation with the duchess had given Melissa much to think about but it did nothing to ease her unhappiness. As the September days grew shorter her spirits dipped into depression: Aldringham was unfailingly polite, but she could detect no spark of affection in his manner towards her. However, the news that Sir Richard Caseby was to visit Russetts provided a welcome diversion. Aldringham was waiting at the door to greet Sir Richard when he alighted from his carriage a few days later.

‘Dick! I trust you do not intend to run off immediately. We have planned for you to stay at least a week.’

‘Alas Jason, I can stay only one night.’

‘What? There will scarce be time for you to try out my new chaise.’

‘That must wait for another day, my friend. I have business in Town that cannot be delayed.’ He followed his host through the screen passage and into the great hall, where Lady Aldringham came forward to meet him. Sir Richard was struck again by the young bride’s beauty. Her dainty figure had a bearing rarely found in one so young, but as she approached he noticed the dark circles around her eyes, and the air of melancholy that she tried to hide with a bright smile.

Over dinner, Sir Richard entertained them with the latest news from Town. Melissa listened with polite interest, although most of the people he mentioned were strangers to her.

‘You remember young Jolyon? He’s offered for the Gaylor chit. They say he’s a veritable mooncalf - besotted with the girl.’ Sir Richard helped himself to a sweetmeat as the meal came to an end.

‘I’d wager Lady Gaylor is praying it will last until the wedding,’ drawled Aldringham.

‘The girl’s a beauty, certainly, but Jolyon could have done better for himself. Her fortune’s adequate, but not large enough to keep him the way he’s been living this season. Why, on my last night in Town he lost five thousand at a sitting! He may be in love now, but I’ve no doubt it will wear thin once the money runs low.’

Aldringham gazed at his wine.

‘I pity him when it does,’ he murmured grimly.

Watching him, Melissa wondered if he was thinking of himself, regretting his own hasty marriage. The idea was like a cloud upon her spirits. She forced a smile to her lips.

‘If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will leave you to your brandy . . . .’

Sir Richard rose. ‘Dear ma’am, you look a little pale -are you ill?’

‘No, thank you, sir. I - I have the headache. It is nothing serious, but I think perhaps it would be best if I rested for a while.’

Aldringham moved to open the door for her. He said quietly as she passed him, ‘You do not look well. Can I bring you anything?’

She put out her hand in a small, hopeless gesture. ‘No - no - it is only the headache,’ she murmured, touched by his concern. ‘If it clears, I will join you later.’

Alone in her room, Melissa lay on her bed. The period of quiet reflection did much to restore her spirits. She told herself it was folly to read meaning into every little utterance the earl might make. He had married her in anger, but over the past few weeks she had grown to believe they had much in common, and every reason to hope he might grow a little fond of her, given time. A light scratching at the door interrupted her thoughts. The maid entered with a lighted taper.

‘I’ve come to light the candles, ma’am.’

Melissa sat up, realizing how dark it had grown. ‘What time is it?’

‘Near nine o’clock, my lady.’

She jumped off the bed. ‘Goodness, so late! Have the tea-tray sent to the great hall, Annie. I will go down immediately.’

At the top of the stairs she hesitated, then turned instead to walk on to the minstrels’ gallery that stretched across one end of the hall: the candles had been lit in the hall itself, and in their gentle glow she could see the earl and his guest sitting each side of the empty fireplace. The gallery itself was in shadow, and Melissa moved forward softly, smiling at the scene below her: even as he lounged in his chair she thought Aldringham the most handsome man she had ever known. She was about to call out to tell him she was on her way down when Sir Richard spoke.

‘So, Jason, what is your opinion now of married life?’

Melissa found herself stepping further back into the shadows, listening intently.

‘A devil’s bargain, Dick. It’s damnable!’ The earl’s words reached the gallery with disastrous clarity. ‘If I had known—! You would be amazed at the depth of my regret.’

Melissa stifled a sob, putting her fist to her mouth and biting on her clenched fingers to relieve the agony within. Silently she hurried from the gallery and back to her room.

Unaware of their auditor, Richard shook his head at the earl. ‘I warned you how it would be, Jason.’

The earl gave a wry smile. ‘No, no, Dick. You told me only half the tale. You never warned me that I would fall so hopelessly in love with the chit that she would tear at my very soul.’ He laughed at his friend’s look of disbelief. ‘Aye. I am being punished at last, Richard. I married the girl because she thwarted me and now - now I would give the earth to have her love me. Ironic, is it not? I told her I would make her love me, that she would beg me for a little kindness - I insulted her damnably, bringing some of my most dubious acquaintances here.’ He grinned, the sudden change softening the hard features. ‘I wish you had seen it, my friend. She drove them out of doors, threatening the trollops with a horsewhip! Then she berated me for forgetting what is due to my name -I tell you Dick, she is an angel, so far above me I am not fit to kiss her shoes.’

Sir Richard shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

‘This is not like you, Jason.’

The earl rose and walked to the window.

‘I have never felt like this before, my friend.’

 ‘And does the lady refuse your attentions?’

‘I would not impose myself upon her. That much she shall be spared! I have behaved abominably, Richard. I deserve that she should despise me.’ He looked up as the door opened and the subject of their conversation entered, followed by Mrs Borster with the tea-tray.

Lady Aldringham looked a little pale but she appeared quite composed as Sir Richard watched her performing her duties as a hostess, making light conversation as she prepared the tea. The earl and his lady were perfectly polite, but acted more as strangers than man and wife. Sir Richard’s spirits sank, and he was beginning to think his friend’s case hopeless when he happened to glance up and saw Melissa watching her husband, such a look of tenderness in her eyes that he almost caught his breath. Sensing a movement, Melissa immediately turned to him, the moment passed, and she was once again the perfect hostess.

There was no opportunity to broach the subject of marriage again that evening, but as he bade his friend goodnight, Sir Richard added gently, ‘Do not despair, Jason. I think you may yet come about, God willing.’

The earl’s sneering smile appeared. ‘Why should God will it so, when I have shown so little regard for anyone’s comfort but mine own? I fear this is his way of punishing me.’

Sir Richard clapped a hand on his arm, and squeezed it.

‘Nay, my friend, God is merciful - I think this marriage could be the making of you.’

* * * *

Alone in her room, Melissa threw open the windows before seating herself before her mirror and beginning to take off her jewels. She glanced round as her maid entered.

‘So there you are, Annie. Pray come and help me to undress; I vow I am so tired I could sleep fully dressed tonight!’ Still the maid hovered by the door, twisting her hands together nervously. ‘Well, girl? What is it?’

‘If you please, ma’am.’ The maid stepped forward and reaching into the pocket of her apron, she thrust a folded paper on to the dressing-table. Melissa stared at it.

‘What is this?’

‘If you please, ma’am,’ Annie repeated, bobbing a curtsy, ‘there was a gentleman in the garden, wanted me to bring you this.’ She did not mention the shiny coins he had given her, which were now safely hidden in her room.

‘A gentleman?’

‘Yes, miss. He said you would know him, and that I was to give you the note.’

With trembling fingers Melissa unfolded the paper, holding it to the fitful light of the candle. As she read, the fingers of one hand stole to her cheek.

‘When - when did you see this gentleman, Annie?’

‘While you was having tea with the master, my lady. I was fetching in the sheets for Mrs Borster - they’d been forgot, but Mrs B says even tho’ it’s dark they must be brung in or they’d be wet with dew in the morning. Well, I was gatherin’ up the sheets when the gentleman steps forward and says very polite-like that he would be obliged if I would give you his message. He said he wouldn’t leave until he had seen you.’

Melissa ran to the window: it was dark now, but a rising moon was casting its silver light over the shrubbery.

‘Annie, I’m going outside. Promise me you will say nothing of this to my lord.’ She saw the young girl’s eyes widen and added quickly, ‘My - my cousin is come to visit me, only - he does not wish to disturb us all so late.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Annie was looking doubtful, but Melissa did not wait to explain further. She ran down the darkened stairs and out of a side-door into the shrubbery.

Melissa hurried along the shadowy paths, straining her eyes to pierce the darkness. Then she heard a rustling in the bushes before her.

‘Melissa!’

As she watched there was more rustling and a figure forced its way between two large evergreens.

‘Simon! What on earth are you doing here? And what do you mean by giving notes to my maid? Do you not know how suspicious that must look?’

Simon Fryer reached for his cousin’s hand.

‘I came to find you,’ he said urgently. ‘I promised you when we last met that I would save you from this marriage!’

‘Simon, you cannot save me. That is, I don’t wish you to save me. Besides, it is too late. I have been married these three months past.’

Mr Fryer looked a little uncomfortable.

‘Well, I was obliged to visit friends - standing engagement - couldn’t break it. Then of course I had to discover where that - that villain was keeping you.’

‘Aldringham is not a villain! You talk as though he had kidnapped me.’

‘He coerced you into this marriage did he not? There! I can tell by your silence that I am right.’ He tried to take her in his arms. ‘Dearest, I am here now. You may be easy.’

She pushed him away. ‘I am very far from easy, Cousin! What are you doing, skulking around Aldringham’s gardens in the dark?’

‘I have been waiting here all day, waiting for a chance to talk to you.’

The simplicity of his answer touched her heart. She said gently, ‘Simon, this is madness. You know it is. You must leave immediately; if the earl should find you here he would very likely call you out. And in all honesty I could not blame him.’

‘How can you say that, when I have come here to rescue you from a lifetime’s unhappiness. I can have a coach at the gate before dawn—’

Despite her own sadness, Melissa smiled.

‘Cousin, running off with you would only result in even more unhappiness. Go back home, Simon, finish your studies and in a few years you will meet a young lady more worthy of your gallantry.

‘Don’t you
want
to be rescued?’

She bit her lip, determined not to laugh at him.

‘Not in this way, Cousin. I must make my own way in the world, and it would be reprehensible for me to involve you.’ She hugged him. ‘I am sorry if I disappoint you. Believe me, I am truly grateful for your concern, but the best way you can help me is by leaving here now, before you are discovered. That would bring Aldringham’s wrath down upon us both.’

‘But you don’t love him! He forced you into this marriage!’

‘It makes no difference, Simon. I will not betray him. I could not serve Aldringham such a trick. Now go, please, my dear, before we are seen, or I am missed.’ She began to push him along the path towards the little wicket gate in the boundary wall.

‘I will not give up. Once you have considered my plan you will come. I shall have the coach waiting in the lane here at dawn.’