Melinda Hammond (5 page)

* * * *

At three o’clock, Melissa was in the Sydney Gardens. With Lady Fryer keeping to her room and Sir Joseph in his study, there was no one but a footman to see her leave the house unattended, and she had escaped unquestioned, but now as she hovered near the deserted orchestra stand, she looked anxiously about her, hoping that there was no one to recognize her amongst the crowds strolling through the gardens.

‘Miss Langham?’

‘Oh!’ She jumped and turned to find the earl standing behind her. ‘Oh, I - I did not hear you approach, sir.’

‘Evidently. Shall we walk?’ He held out his arm to her, adding, ‘It looks so much less suspicious to be moving.’

‘Oh, yes. Of course.’ She ignored his proffered arm and they walked on in silence while Melissa tried to compose herself. ‘You must be wondering why I - why I asked you to meet me here.’

‘I naturally assumed you would explain.’

She had the uncomfortable suspicion that he was laughing at her.

‘I, that is, I understand that you hold notes of hand belonging to my uncle.’

‘Ah! And have you come to buy them from me?’ His sneering tone brought a sparkle of anger to her eyes.

‘You are absurd, Lord Aldringham. You know I have not the means.’

‘Perhaps you have come to beg for their return.’

‘I would not beg, when I know it would be useless.’

‘Then what do you propose, madam?’

She hesitated.

‘A - a trade, sir. I ... um ... I believe that your intention was to persuade my uncle to - to agree to an exchange.’

‘Indeed?’

‘I think,’ she continued, ignoring his mocking smile, ‘that my uncle refused to agree to your wicked scheme.’

‘Did Sir Joseph tell you this?’

‘Of course not. He does not even know I am here.’

‘Then tell me, Miss Langham, why you
are
here, and unattended.’

‘What I wish to say to you is - private.’ She swallowed. ‘I - I want to know if you offered to exchange my uncle’s debts for ... for me.’ Melissa felt her face growing hot under Aldringham’s critical gaze.

‘You are undoubtedly a pretty piece, Miss Langham, but your uncle’s losses are considerable. What makes you think you are worth so much?’

Melissa bit her lip, tears of humiliation stinging the back of her eyes. Summoning every vestige of her pride she fought to control her voice.

‘I see I have misjudged the matter. I was a fool to come here! My apologies for troubling you, my lord.’

She turned to walk away but he caught her arm, laughing softly.

‘No, no, do not go. My compliments, Miss Langham. Your assessment of the situation is indeed accurate. Let us resume our walk.’ He pulled her hand on to his arm, glancing down at the stiff little figure beside him. ‘So. You offer me an exchange: the notes for yourself. On any terms?’

‘Once my uncle’s notes have been returned, my lord, yes, on any terms.’

Forcing herself to meet his eyes, she saw the flash of triumph in their cold depths. ‘Good. Then I shall call for you tonight. Be ready to travel.’

‘No! That is - I would prefer you not to call. I wish my uncle and aunt to have no knowledge of - of what I am doing.’

He considered for a moment.

‘Very well. Meet me at the corner of Rivers Street. My carriage will be there at midnight. Do not be late.’

‘I shall be there. I give you my word.’

‘If you do not appear I shall be forced to call for you.’

She stopped. ‘You told me my father was scrupulous in all matters of honour, my lord. You may believe the same of his daughter.’

Turning towards her, he put one hand under her chin and forced her to look up at him.

‘Hmm, a fair bargain, I think.’

‘Unfairly won, my lord!’

He raised his brows, his eyes laughing at her.

‘Do you think so? Very well, madam.’ He stepped back. ‘Go home, return to Rivers Street and we will forget this meeting.’

She bit her lip. ‘And what of my uncle?’

‘He will doubtless find the means to repay me by the end of the month.’

‘Of course — he will consider it a debt of honour.’

The mocking smile in his eyes deepened.

‘Make your choice, Miss Langham.’

She thought of her uncle, poring over his accounts, perhaps even now writing the letters that would bring his children’s education to an abrupt end.

‘There
is
no choice, sir. I will go with you.’

‘Then
au revoir,
Miss Langham, until tonight. I think you would prefer me not to escort you back? As you wish. But you had best take these.’ He pulled a wad of papers from his pocket and placed them into her hands. Melissa stared at them. She looked up, frowning.

‘Sir Joseph’s pledges! Then you knew why I sent for you?’

‘I guessed it.’ He saw the question in her eyes, and smiled slightly. ‘You may return these to Sir Joseph when you will; I have no further need of them. After all, you have given me your word, Miss Langham, have you not?’

With a bow, he turned and walked away.

Melissa went slowly back to Rivers Street, trying to bring her thoughts to order before she met her family. The earl’s conduct baffled her. That he had known her errand was certain, but he had not helped her: indeed he had enjoyed every second of her discomfort! But then, without warning, he had given her Sir Joseph’s notes of hand. A small voice inside told Melissa she was now free; her uncle was no longer in Aldringham’s debt, the earl had no hold over her. Melissa quickly stifled the thought. She had given her word and she must stand by it. Besides, Sir Joseph would never accept that his debts had been paid by trickery. She had no choice but to meet the earl at midnight. She was his - on any terms.

       Chapter Five      

A clock somewhere in the city was chiming the hour when the earl, watching from the shadowy interior of his elegant travelling carriage at the corner of Rivers Street, saw a cloaked figure approaching. He smiled briefly. One had to admit the Langham chit had courage. He watched as his coachman relieved her of her luggage, which consisted of a band-box and a small portmanteau.

‘Good evening, Miss Langham.’

She paused on the step, peering into the darkness.

‘Good evening, my lord.’ She chose to sit opposite the earl and while the carriage rattled through the deserted streets he watched her as she huddled in the corner, her hood hiding her face. Aldringham pulled one of the coach rugs from the seat and handed it to her.

‘Take this, my dear. The night air is cold. I would not wish you to catch a chill.’

‘Thank you, my lord. I would not wish to inconvenience you by falling ill.’ Melissa’s tone was calm, and matched his own for dry mockery. The earl was surprised: the child was certainly out of the ordinary. No tears or fits of the vapours. Still, the night was young yet.

As the coach rattled on, Melissa was grateful for the warmth of the rug. She dozed a little, but it was impossible to sleep. She glanced at the shadowy figure of the earl: she was sure he was not asleep.

‘Where are we bound, sir?’

‘We shall spend what is left of the night at an inn just outside the city, and tomorrow I shall take you to London, to my sister. Lady Carlestone.’

‘Your sister!’

‘Of course. You will not remain there long. Just until I can procure a special licence.’

‘A special - you mean, you intend to marry me?’ Melissa’s tone was incredulous.

‘Pray, Miss Langham, what else would you have me do?’ he replied with quiet menace.

‘Oh. I am sorry - I did not mean - I made sure you would not
marry
me!’

The earl’s original intentions had been far from honourable and it was only during the past hour that he had decided upon a course of action, but Miss Langham’s artless speech incensed him considerably.

‘If you would prefer, we can doubtless find another solution . . . .’

‘Oh pray do not be absurd,’ she retorted with asperity. ‘You know I have no wish to be dishonoured. But I do not see why you should be so offended, given your reputation.’

‘You seem to await your fate very calmly, madam.’

‘Well, having made this devil’s bargain, I think it would be better for both of us if I did not treat you to a fit of hysterics.’

‘How very sensible.’

‘Well, I think so.’ She continued, considering the matter, ‘I can think of nothing worse than being confined in a carriage with a watering-pot!’

He laughed, his anger forgotten.

‘Very true! I think we shall deal together extremely well, Melissa.’

Her mumbled reply was lost as the coach rattled into a lighted courtyard. Ostlers bustled about and Melissa blinked as the earl helped her to alight. The landlord hurried out to meet them and listening to his conversation with the earl convinced her that Aldringham was no stranger to the inn. The landlord ushered them into a private parlour, and while Melissa untied the strings of her cloak the earl issued his instructions.

‘Perkins, bring me a bottle of your best cognac with the meal, will you? And I require two of your best bedchambers.’

“Two,
sir?’

Melissa choked and turned away. Aldringham was obviously not in the habit of bringing respectable females to this establishment!

‘Two, Perkins. Also, I would like you to have a bed made up in this lady’s bedroom for one of your serving maids. Miss Langham’s abigail was unable to travel with us. A - ah - broken leg.’

The landlord stared at the earl for a long moment before he went out, shaking his head at the ways of the Quality. As he closed the door, Melissa could no longer hold back a gurgle of laughter.

‘What, pray is so amusing?’ enquired the earl, moving towards her.

‘That poor man’s face! I fear you have lost your standing with him.’

‘Poor Perkins. How can I regain his favour, do you think?’

‘By seducing a kitchen maid, perhaps!’ She uttered the words without thinking, then flushed deeply.

‘Miss Langham, you shock me!’

‘Yes, I beg your pardon—’

The earl caught one of her hands.

‘Don’t do that! Say what you think, my dear.’

Remembering her situation, Melissa looked down. Her heart was beating faster than normal, and she could feel the blood rushing to her face under the earl’s steady glance. Perkins returned at that moment with refreshments and Melissa moved towards the fire to regain her composure. She realized it was not Aldringham she was angry with, but herself. How could she have said such a thing! She was in the habit of being frank with Simon, her eldest cousin, but he was like a brother to her. This man was quite different. She should have guessed his reaction to such a speech. Melissa mastered her confusion and came to the table, where she managed to eat a crust of bread and drink a little coffee with tolerable composure. They spoke little, and when they had finished their meal Melissa collected her cloak and reticule and prepared to retire.

‘We leave early tomorrow, Miss Langham.’

‘I shall be ready, my lord.’

Aldringham opened the door for her, saying as she passed him, ‘Goodnight, Melissa.’

She stopped. ‘Goodnight, sir, and - and thank you.’

The earl raised his brows.

‘For what, my dear?’

She coloured a little, but met his gaze squarely. ‘For - protecting my honour,’ she said lightly. Aldringham smiled, a slight sneer marring the warmth of his smile. ‘Yes. It is unusual for me, is it not, ma’am?’

Melissa guessed shrewdly that the bitterness in his voice was for himself and her smile held genuine warmth as she looked up at him. ‘Goodnight, Aldringham.’

The earl watched the slim figure pass out of the room and up the stairs. Then he closed the door carefully and poured himself a glass of brandy.

* * * *

It was long before Melissa slept. She did not notice the kitchen-maid’s snores, her mind too occupied with her plight. The thought of a loveless marriage had always repelled her, but she realized now that what she faced was infinitely worse, for her marriage to Aldringham would not be quite that. She had fallen ridiculously in love with the earl. That he was indifferent to her she did not doubt, and she thought it likely that by the morning his wish to marry her would have lessened. If that was the case she hoped he might be prevailed upon to release her from her word. She wondered if he would want to take her for his mistress: she had no knowledge of such a life, but she was shocked to realize that part of her thought it might be very pleasant. Until he grew tired of her, of course. But if he married her, her fate would be sealed. They would be tied irrevocably, and she would be obliged to watch him growing away from her, regretting his hasty marriage.

When she came downstairs the following morning she found the earl at breakfast. He rose to greet her and she wondered how he managed to look so elegant without the aid of his valet. He had not changed his travelling coat, but the ruffles on his shirt and cuffs looked freshly laundered, and she felt decidedly shabby in her serviceable travelling gown as she approached the table.

‘Good morning, Miss Langham. I trust you slept well?’

‘Very well, I thank you, sir.’

She sat down and helped herself to a slice of ham. As the earl passed her a cup of coffee she looked up tentatively. Intercepting her glance, he raised his brows in enquiry.

‘What is the matter, child?’

Melissa coloured a little. ‘I - I thought perhaps you might have changed your mind. About marrying me.’

He frowned. “There is an alternative - is that what you want?’

Her anxious gaze flew to his face again.

‘Oh no! It’s just - I thought perhaps you might be regretting that you carried me off with such haste.’

Aldringham pushed back his chair and rose. He walked to the fireplace, where he gazed for a long moment at the leaping flames. Then he turned to look at her.

‘I have decided to marry you, Melissa, and I shall do so. Perhaps you have forgotten that you gave yourself to me, on any terms!’

She looked down at her plate.

‘No, sir. I have not forgotten. It is just—’

‘As the last of my line it is expected that I shall marry at some time. It might as well be you as another. I hold you to your word, Melissa. You will not question my actions again. Do you understand?’