Page 25 of Rescued from Betrayal
Holding up the book she softly blew on the wet spots, trying to dry them without smearing any more ink. She should be comforted in the knowledge that at least Eddie would be welcome at her new home, and maybe in time he could help bridge the gap between her old life and her new one.
A firm knock sounded on the door, and before she could answer her mother walked in.
“Why are you in bed at this hour? It is only a quarter past seven.”
Melior resisted the urge to sigh or slump. “I am tired, Mother. It will be an eventful day tomorrow and I need my rest.”
Her mother ran a finger along the dressing table, no doubt to make certain the maid had not been slothful. “It would have been eventful had you made sure the right man was in the cloakroom. Now it is simply a morning to be endured.”
Melior clenched her teeth. The wedding would be difficult, but hearing her mother speak of it as if she were the one being most imposed upon was aggravating.
“Well, then, Mother. Perhapsyoushould get your rest as well so you will have the energy toendure it.”
Her mother’s blue eyes flashed. “Do not get short with me. I came here for a purpose and you will sit and listen until I am finished.” Her gaze caught on something and she stalked forward.
Snatching the book off the bed, she hurled it into the box. It landed with a crunch. Melior cringed, the tears in her eyes smarting again knowing what the sound meant.
“What have I told you about filling your head with nonsense? No man wants a woman who knows more than he does. Do you want to ruin your chances with all that reading?”
“What does it matter? I am already to be married. There is no one to impress.”
“Perhaps you will get lucky and Sir Nathaniel will die. You must keep your options open.”
It was not polite to gape, but that was exactly what Melior did. Had she heard her mother correctly?
“Posture, Melior. Even when in bed, a lady never slumps. And close that mouth. You look like a fish. Men die all the time, there is nothing shocking in that. Look at Lady Braithwaite. She’s been widowed twice over and she’s not much older than you.”
Lady Braithwaite was actually a year younger, having come out a year after Melior, but she would never want to be in that poor woman’s position. Yes, she had wealth and freedom, but at what cost? She was the Ton’s favorite victim for gossip.
Melior had heard everything from secret trysts to suspicion that she’d murdered her two husbands. And while the bold, elegant woman was nothing like the timid girl she’d met years ago, she did not believe most of the rumors. Even so, she still kept her distance. No use tainting herself by association.
Was that the sort of life her mother wished her to have? To be wealthy and titled at the cost of Society’s scorn?
“Now, it is time we have a discussion about your duties as a wife. Not that I wish to, but it is my last responsibility as your mother.”
Melior scrunched her nose. How could her mother jump from talking about Sir Nathaniel’s demise to her obligations as his wife? Her mind spun with the quick about face in conversation.
“You have already taught me all I need to know about managing a household, Mother. I do not see any reason to remind me.”
“I am not speaking of household management; I am speaking of your responsibilities on your wedding night.”
Her wedding night? Melior had tried to avoid thinking about anything beyond the ceremony itself. The reminder that there would be far more to her marriage than simply existing in the same home set her hands to fidgeting with the ties on her nightdress. While she’d not known everything, she’d heard enough gossip to understand the wedding night involved more than a peck on the lips.
How much though left her cheeks burning bright red by the time her mother left her room. The details of marital intimacy she’d shared were far too much to take in. And to think she’d be required to be so… so… vulnerable. And with Sir Nathaniel, of all people!
Not that the man was not attractive. She’d always thought him quite nice to look at ever since she was ten. But to… to…
She could not think about it. Perhaps he would not be interested in consummating their marriage. That would be a great relief.
Then again, every man needed an heir.
She swallowed hard. Her mother had said it was her duty, however unpleasant, for king and country. Was married life as horrible as she’d made it out to be? A cold sweat broke out upon Melior’s brow.
So much for the ample rest she’d hoped to get.
With little chance of sleeping, she reached for the discarded book. Lifting it from the box, she remembered the ominous crunch.
Slowly, she pulled her beloved spectacles out of the velvet lined box. They had cracks in both lenses. Her tears beganagain in earnest. The glass was still intact, but when she peered through them, lines ran across the pages of her book.
