Melinda Hammond (7 page)

On seeing her husband, Lady Fryer revived sufficiently to dismiss her servants.

‘Oh Joseph, she is gone!’ she cried, holding out the letter.

Sir Joseph took the paper and his face paled as he looked at the pledges that accompanied the letter.

‘I cannot believe it!’

‘But it is true, dear sir, for she is not in her room: her bed has not been slept in!’

Sir Joseph looked grave. ‘Yet I cannot believe that she has left us as happily as her letter states!’

‘Well, what are we to do?’ cried his wife. ‘She will be ruined!’

Her husband walked to the fireplace, thinking. Melissa had been at great pains to give the impression in her letter that she was quite willing to go with Aldringham and Sir Joseph, who had no wish to cross the earl, was very ready to smother the prompting of his conscience which told him it could not be true. Melissa had no illusions about her uncle’s kindly but weak nature, and she added a gentle reminder at the end of her note that since she was of age, he had no control over her actions.

Sir Joseph tried to ignore the feeling of relief that swept over him when he realized that the matter had been taken out of his hands, but it remained, adding to his feelings of guilt. His wife, watching him anxiously, saw her lord’s face harden and she repeated her question.

‘My dear, what can we do?’

He turned to face her. ‘There is nothing we can do, my love. Melissa is of age. She has written that she will not return, even if we order it, since we have no real authority over her now.’

‘But we cannot let the girl go off like this, without any effort to find her!’

Knowing in his heart she was right, Sir Joseph took refuge in bluster.

‘Do you wish me to go jauntering all over the country looking for them? She has said she will not return, so do you think I should call Aldringham out and then, supposing,
supposing
I survive, drag her back by force? No, madam! The girl has chosen to run her own life, and I can give her no help until she asks for it.’ He caught sight of his wife’s shocked countenance and faltered a little. ‘I will help her when I can, but at this moment I have no notion of where she may be, and it would only stir up the very scandal we wish to avoid if I post all over Bath asking questions.’

‘But surely we should do something?’

‘There is little we can do. She writes in her letter that Aldringham talks of marriage. We must hope he is in earnest.’

Lady Fryer looked up, aghast. ‘Oh, but surely you do not think—’

‘No, no, of course not!’ he replied testily. He walked to the door but paused as he opened it, saying with some of his old joviality, ‘Well, it may yet turn out for the best. I fancy Melissa will make a very fine countess!’

Since Lady Fryer had every confidence in her spouse, his last words gave her no little comfort, and she began to view the situation more hopefully and even to plan her conversations to her friends, which would start with ‘My niece, the Countess of Aldringham . . . .’

* * * *

In London, Aldringham had forbidden Melissa to leave Carlestone House. She bore this very well, but Lady Carlestone found her indignation growing at the way her brother was treating his betrothed. Melissa had been her guest for three weeks when Lady Carlestone judged it time to speak. The earl had just left the house, and my lady had been silent for most of the visit, growing ever more angry as she listened to her brother informing Melissa of the arrangements that had been made for their marriage. His manner had been that of one arranging a ball, rather than his own nuptials. When he had finished, Melissa had asked lightly, ‘Do you mean to let me choose my own dress, sir? I think you take a great risk, to give me such a responsibility.’

Lady Carlestone did not miss the spice behind the words, but if Aldringham noticed he did not show it, merely replying, ‘I have no doubt you will manage. I feel sure you will not disgrace me.’

Melissa looked as though she would have liked to make some retort, but she bit her lip and remained silent until the earl took his leave. When they were alone, Lady Carlestone eyed the young girl sitting opposite: she considered her words carefully.

‘Melissa, my dear, forgive me if I appear forward but - this seems a strange marriage you are about to enter.’

Melissa looked up, surprised.

‘What, because I have no ordering of the arrangements? I am relieved that I have so little to do, I assure you.’

‘But it is not right that you should be confined here! You have met so few people in town, and I cannot take you to any of the assemblies or parties. Surely Jason could not object if you attended at least one or two?’

‘It would distress my family, ma’am, and once I am Lady Aldringham I shall have a surfeit of parties to attend. Pray do not think I have been moped! We have been so busy - there has been a constant stream of seamstresses and mantua-makers through the house - I am sure it has been a great inconvenience to you.’

‘Nonsense, my dear, I am only too pleased Jason gave me the task of organizing your wardrobe.’

‘Yes. He has insisted I have every luxury, has he not?’

Lady Carlestone looked closely at her guest. She had developed a fondness for the girl and did not fail to note the unhappy look in the dark eyes.

‘Melissa, I have grown very fond of you, and - and if you would rather not marry Jason, it is not too late to tell me. We will contrive to reunite you with your family.’ She saw the hunted look flash into Melissa’s eyes and said quickly. ‘Oh I know Jason is determined to wed you, but I am not without some influence with him still, and if you should feel yourself unable to face life with him, I will help you!’ The utterance of this brave speech made it necessary for the good lady to take a turn about the room, while her agitated fingers pulled at the flimsy lace handkerchief in her hands. She was a little afraid other brother, but she was determined to help her young guest, even if she incurred Aldringham’s displeasure.

She therefore took a breath and continued, ‘I must tell you I do not believe the story that you and Jason invented for my benefit, and although at first I thought that perhaps you had a - a
tendre
for Jason, I am convinced that it is all a sham and - and that he is holding some obligation over you to make you marry him. And even if he is my brother,’ she concluded in a trembling voice, ‘I will tell you that I think he is the wickedest man I have ever known!’

This heroic little speech reduced Lady Carlestone to tears, and Melissa, blinking back the mist from her own eyes, hurried to her hostess and hugged her.

‘Dear ma’am, please don’t cry! I am grateful for your concern, and I will not insult you by telling you that you are completely out, but I must not let you think that Aldringham has coerced me into this marriage. Indeed, I
am
under an obligation to him, but I am willing to carry through our agreement.’ She looked at her hostess, noting the genuine concern in her face. ‘You may think that Aldringham cannot make me happy. Well, I am not so innocent that I will expect him to live in my pocket. I am aware that - that his interest in me may not last. Yet I think we shall go on quite comfortably, dear Lady Carlestone, so please, dry your eyes and let us look at some of these sketches, for I cannot decide which would best become me as a wedding gown.’

These tactics succeeded very well, and by the time the ladies parted to dress for dinner, Melissa was hopeful that her hostess would remain in a congenial mood for the evening, since Aldringham had informed them, much to Francesca’s indignation, that he was bringing a guest to dinner.

Chapter Seven

Upon entering White’s Club that afternoon, Aldringham greeted his many acquaintances with a slight smile, refused to join Sir Vincent Gerrard in a game of hazard that was in progress and passed through to one of the smaller salons in search of Sir Richard Caseby. He found him deep in conversation with another equally sober gentleman, but on seeing Aldringham, Sir Richard excused himself and joined his friend.

‘Well, Jason, and how is Russetts?’

‘I have no idea, Dick. I have not yet been there.’

Sir Richard raised his brows.

‘Have you been in Bath all this time? She must have been charming.’

‘She is, Dick. I have come to invite you to dine with me at Carlestone’s tonight, so that you may meet my fiancée.’

‘Your
what?’

The cold eyes glinted. ‘Quite so, Dick. I have decided it is time I - ah - settled down.’

Sir Richard frowned and looked as though he would speak, but the earl waited only to confirm that his friend would join him for dinner before taking his leave, refusing to explain more about his mysterious betrothal.

Sir Richard was astonished at the news. That Aldringham should offer marriage to any woman would have surprised him, but that he should return from Bath with a prospective bride was beyond belief. He toyed for a moment with the idea that his friend had been trapped into marriage, but soon banished the thought. No one who knew the earl would imagine that he could be forced into anything. It would be interesting to meet the woman who could bring Aldringham to heel!

Sir Richard was still pondering the matter when he arrived at Carlestone House that evening. He was shown in by the butler, who informed him that her ladyship had not yet left her room. With the ease of an old family friend, Sir Richard declared that he would wait in the library and lounged off before the butler could make any reply.

He had entered some way into the room before he noticed a young woman sitting in one of the winged chairs before the fire. There was an open book on her lap, but she was gazing into the flames, lost in thought.

‘Oh, I beg your pardon, ma’am! The servant did not say . . . .’

Miss Langham started out of her reverie. She rose and moved towards Sir Richard, saying with her friendly smile,
‘I doubt he knew I was here. You must be Sir Richard Caseby. Lady Carlestone has spoken of you. I am Melissa Langham.’

‘I am honoured, ma’am.’

‘You are a lifelong friend of the earl, are you not, sir?’

‘We grew up as neighbours, although my family’s acres are nothing compared to Aldringham’s estates.’

‘You know him well then, the earl?’ She cast a shy look at him. ‘I wish you will tell me about him. I have known him such a short time, you see.’

‘If Jason has gone out of his way to be charming, it is not for me to betray his darker side,’ he said, smiling.

‘His darker side! No, no, I think I know enough of that side of him. I want to know what he is like as a friend: is he kind, loyal, generous . . .?’

‘All of that, and more, Miss Langham. I have known him go out of his way to help those he holds in affection.’

Sir Richard studied the young woman as they talked: Melissa’s robe was fashioned from emerald green silk and trimmed sparingly with blond lace. The rich colour enhanced the ivory skin and her glossy dark ringlets, which gleamed in the candlelight. He could understand why the earl had been captivated, but he judged the girl to be at least ten years younger than Aldringham, and he was at a loss to know why he had offered marriage to the child. Melissa finished speaking, and she stood for a few moments watching her companion, who was obviously deep in thought. The mischievous gleam sparkled in her eyes.

‘Would you not agree, Sir Richard?’

He jumped.

‘What? Oh - oh, yes, I mean—’ He saw the twinkle in Melissa’s eyes and grinned. ‘My apologies, Miss Langham. I confess my thoughts were elsewhere.’

She laughed softly, holding out her hand to him. ‘It is of no consequence, sir, I assure you. But I think I should join Lady Carlestone. She would be quite shocked if she knew I was here alone with you.’

He lifted her hand to his lips, charmed.

‘I think I know now why Aldringham is so eager to marry you, Miss Langham. Go then, and I look forward to meeting you at dinner.’

‘I trust my bride is to your taste, Dick.’ Aldringham’s voice cut through the air. The earl stood in the doorway, his face set in harsh lines.

Sir Richard looked round, his brows raised.

‘I am afraid I surprised Miss Langham here, Jason, and we were obliged to introduce ourselves,’ he explained, a laugh in his voice.

‘Perfectly understandable,’ drawled the earl. ‘My sister awaits us in the blue saloon, Richard. Pray inform her that Miss Langham and I will join her in a moment.’

Sir Richard’s brows rose, and Melissa nodded at him.

‘Please go.’

Thus dismissed. Sir Richard went in search of his hostess, and Aldringham shut the door behind him with a snap.

‘I trust you will not make a habit of receiving strangers in this familiar manner.’

Melissa noted the cold edge in his voice.

‘I was about to find Lady Carlestone when you walked in, sir.’

‘I would be obliged if you would be more careful of your reputation.’

Melissa flushed.

‘Fiddle!’ she snapped. ‘My
reputation
will no doubt be enhanced when I marry you, my lord!’ She turned away and a second later found herself being whirled around until the earl held her against him, her hands pinned behind her. Melissa stared up fearlessly into his cold, hard eyes.

‘You must learn not to fight me, Melissa. I shall always win, you know.’ His voice was soft, but the menace was still there.

Melissa felt her heart pounding within her, but not with fear: a sudden thought brought a wicked gleam into her eyes, and an irrepressible chuckle escaped her. The earl’s face softened. The anger died from his eyes and he raised a brow in enquiry.

‘Sir Richard told me he knew why you wished to marry me,’ she explained, her voice rich with laughter. ‘I think he does not know you so very well.’

‘Oh? I thought Richard knew me better than anyone.’

He released her, and Melissa knew a moment’s regret. She looked up at him.

‘He thinks you love me.’

“And what do you think, child?’

She looked away. ‘Oh I know you do not,’ she replied lightly, moving towards the door.

The earl opened it for her, but stopped her as she passed him.