Page 103 of Rescued from Betrayal
Too many people still milled about the edges of the room to pull her into an embrace so he squeezed her shoulder instead. “Take heart. This ordeal is almost over.”
She nodded but did not look up.
His Grace threaded her arm through his. “We need to be on our way, but I shall meet you gentlemen in the study next to the billiard room right after supper.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Nathaniel and Eddie said.
As the Duke of Bedford led Melior from the room, a sense of foreboding settled over Nathaniel. Though the candles made the white and gold walls of the ballroom glisten with fairytale-like luster, the room seemed hauntingly dim.
Melior glanced over her shoulder just before leaving and he saw something there that twisted his heart. He prayed the appearance of her features was only a trick of the light, but deep down he knew he’d seen that expression before. Regret.
Supper passed too quickly. She needed more time. Melior watched the couples leaving the dining hall. How was she ever to carry through with this ruse? Edith had already threatened to tell her secrets as she’d known she would. There was no way out but straight through the fire of guilt she’d built for herself.
Javenia pulled Lord Caraway to a stop beside Melior after her uncle abandoned her for his betrothed. “Lady Stanford, how are you this fine evening?”
Melior tried to smooth her brow, surprised at Javenia’s formal address. “I am well,Miss Harris. And how are you enjoying this evening's ball, Lord Caraway?”
“It is a fine event. Your uncle has quite outdone himself.”
“That he has.” What to say next? She had spent the whole of the meal trying to come up with a reason her husband would need to speak with Lord Caraway and nothing had come to mind.
“And where is your husband this evening?”
She nearly breathed an audible sigh of relief at Lord Caraway’s question. Glancing around, she made a pretense of looking for Nathaniel.
“He was seated near the door earlier, but I heard him say he had some business to conduct before we entered.”
“Business, at a ball? I thought these functions were for us to get away from our troubles.”
A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, as Algenon tried to coax Edith to leave, but she seemed set on hovering near the door. Melior subtly tipped her head to the side, hoping Edith would take it as a signal to leave. Instead Lord Caraway glanced in the direction of the pair. His cheery expression instantly fell.
In response Edith raised a hand and wiggled her fingers at him. He dipped his head, then turned his back toward her as he addressed Melior.
“How are you liking Kent?”
“It is lovely. The crocus are out, and the tulips and jonquils are beginning to sprout.”
Algenon must have finally convinced Edith to leave because when she looked that way again they were gone. It was time. She made her decision, hoping it was the right one.
Dropping her voice, she said, “Lord Caraway, the business my husband needs to conduct is with you. He needs you to meet him in my uncle’s study as soon as this next set ends. Do you know of which room I speak?”
“I believe so.” He peered at her curiously. “The one on the third floor, five doors down on the left.”
“Yes, but do not enter the one six doors down or you will find yourself trapped into an unwanted marriage.”
His eyebrows climbed so high they would have been hidden behind his hair if he kept it in the longer fashion of the season. “Might I ask to whom?”
“Do you need to ask?”
He sighed. “No. I had hoped with my curt words to Lady Edith yesterday that she would abandon her pursuit, but as you have witnessed she has become increasingly bold.”
His gaze shot to Javenia in alarm. “Do forgive us, Miss Harris. I had not meant to keep you so long and on a subject you no doubt are loathed to address.”
“Actually, I am part of this rescue mission. After we discovered Lady Edith’s part in Melior’s mishap, as well as Lady Jane’s and Lady Agatha’s scandals, we knew something had to be done.”
“Lady Edith was the one who started all those rumors?”
Melior nodded.
