Page 10 of Rescued from Betrayal
“See,” Miss Harris said, “that is just the sort of boast that places him back in my black books. Algenon never knows when to hold his tongue.”
Melior raised a brow at the use of Mr. Roberts’ Christian name, but Miss Harris seemed nonplussed.
“Lord Caraway is returning,” Edith said.
Glancing around, Melior saw that he was in fact, making his way toward their table, but slowly, stopping to speak with each person he knew. It was probably Edith’s way of getting rid of Miss Harris, and it worked.
“Well, I should be going. Will I see you at Almack’s on Wednesday?” Miss Harris’s words were directed at Melior, and she dipped her head in acknowledgement.
“I will be there.”
“Very good, I shall see you then.”
Edith waited until Miss Harris was well out of hearing distance before she began disparaging her choice of dress. To be certain, it was not as fashionable as the ones they all wore, but not everyone was as fortunate as they were.
As the daughter of a duke, Agatha held the highest rank among them, but the niece of one was nearly as good, especially one without an heir.
Melior sobered. At least no heir yet.
She glanced over at Lord Caraway and frowned. He had stopped to speak to Lady Jane and Lord Hamdon. Of course he had. He was personable like that. It was time to secure his affections before he found out about her uncle’s marriage on Sunday—if he had not heard rumors already.
She could not risk losing her place in Society.
Lord Caraway slapped Lord Hamdon on the back and moved on to sit with them. “My apologies for leaving you all so long. Was that Miss Harris I saw?”
Melior dipped her chin in confirmation while Edith frowned.
“I had hoped to greet her before she left, but I see I have taken too long.” Lord Caraway tapped a finger on the table. “Well, perhaps I shall see her again soon.”
The hopeful note in Lord Caraway’s voice made Melior’s heart jump into her throat. Did he have some interest in Miss Harris? That would not do. It was time to make her feelings clear.
Leaning forward, she laid her hand lightly on his sleeve. “Will you be attending Almack’s this week? I should so like to see you there.”
His eyebrows rose a fraction and he patted her hand. “Of course I will be there.” Then he turned to the other two ladies. “ And I should like to petition for a dance from all of you in advance. That way I shall not be in want of partners.”
Agatha and Edith smiled, offering willing consent, but Melior had to fight back her frown. He must not have understood her implication. Now what was she to do?
Melior’s bedroom door slammed open, startling both her and her maid.
Her mother stood in the doorway; a firm set to her shoulders. “Jones, please leave us, I need to speak with my daughter.”
The maid bobbed a curtsy and left. Melior stared at herself in the dressing table mirror as her mother took a seat in one of the chairs near the fire. Jones had left midway through pinning up Melior’s dark curls which felt like a metaphor for her life lately. Everything was half undone, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not seem to tie up the loose ends.
The ball at Almack’s had not gone as she’d wanted and now she only had tonight before the first set of banns were read tomorrow. She glanced at her mother’s stern face through the mirror.
“I hope you understand what is expected of you tonight,” her mother said, gazing into the fire.
“I do.”
“You must secure him, Melior. Your fool uncle is set on this path and cannot be dissuaded.”
Melior fingered a curl. She’d visited her uncle earlier in the day and did not think him foolish in the least. He’d been so happy. It was the first time in a year that she’d seen him smile so much. He’d been so content that she could not in good conscience hold on to any anger against him.
Uncle Percy had always been kind to her and it felt wrong to wish away his joy, especially when he’d announced that in light of the current situation, he would be adding to the amount her father had set aside for her dowry.
“I know this was not what we all expected, Melior,” he’d said. “You know how your aunt and I have adored you, and I hate to see you hurt by this turn of events. I will make it up to you, I promise.”
Even with all the changes in his own life, Uncle Percy had thought of her and it warmed her heart.
