Page 46 of Rescued from Betrayal
“That was a merry time, was it not?” Mr. Roberts’s voice said from behind her. She startled, having assumed only she and Eddie were in the hall.
Eddie chuckled. “Goodness, Mel, you have become as skittish as a new colt since last I saw you.”
“You would be too if you’d grown used to a near empty house that is silent as a tomb.”And if your things had begun to disappear.She wanted to share her concerns with her brother, but she did not wish to include Mr. Roberts. Not that she did not trust the man, but she did not know him well enough to share her personal problems.
Would he take her suspicions to her husband? Would Eddie for that matter? There was still too much uncertainty between her and Nathaniel to risk any more friction. Over the last few weeks an inkling of hope had entered her heart that they might be able to one day have at least a friendship if not a marriage in truth.
“Havencrest is not all that bad.” Eddie said. “I have stayed here often enough and there is always a servant or two about.”
“Yes, but they do not accost me when I leave my room.” She placed a hand on her hip.
Mr. Roberts’s robust laugh echoed off the walls. “She has you there. When was the last time Thompson lifted you off your feet and swung you around?”
“When I was ten, stealing biscuits from the kitchens.”
Melior's face slackened and Mr. Roberts laughed again. “How old is Thompson if he has been the butler that long?”
Mr. Roberts slapped Eddie on the back. “Oh, he was a footman when we were children. He’s only been butler of Havencrest for the last three years.” He offered his arm to Melior. “May I escortyou to the drawing room? Best not to trust your thieving brother to get you there safely.”
“It was you who put me up to it,” Eddie protested.
Again, Mr. Roberts laughed and Melior realized how much she’d missed the banter with her brother and his friends.
In the drawing room they met Lady Stanford, her face a bit pinched. She tried to cover it with a large smile and conversation, but Melior was not fooled. Why had she left her bed if she hurt so much?
After a few minutes of conversation, two more people entered the drawing room and Melior had her answer.
“Uncle Percy!” She rushed to greet him. All thoughts of stolen jewelry, ailing family, and her uncomfortable marriage fled in the wake of his embrace. He wrapped his large arms around her and for the first time in weeks she felt safe and secure again.
Nathaniel smiled when the girl he’d known in his youth reappeared. He’d caught glimpses of her these last few weeks, but in the Duke of Bedford's arms, nestled her under his chin, he saw the love he’d known Melior possessed.
Nathaniel thought he even spied a bit of moisture in the older man’s eyes. After a moment the duke held her at arm's length, then frowned. “You are pale and far too thin. Is Sir Nathaniel not feeding you well? Have you been ill?”
Algenon shot him a look, but Nathaniel stared back stupidly. How had he not noticed the lack in Melior’s appearance? But as he took her in, he finally noted what her uncle had picked out in only a few moments. Instead of filling out her dress nicely, it hung on her frame. A heaviness settled in his chest.
Melior was his responsibility now. Her health and happiness rested in his care and he’d not noticed how she was diminishing.
“I am fine, Uncle. My health has been good, and the meals here have been plenty.”
“But—”
She placed a hand on her uncle’s cheek. “You worry too much. Please believe me when I say I am well.”
His Grace nodded, but Nathaniel did not miss the all-business look the man cast his way when Melior turned away.
A very serious meeting with the duke was in his future and there would be no avoiding it. Not that Nathaniel wanted to. He deserved whatever rebuke His Grace had planned.
At dinner, talk flowed about the table like a bubbling brook. Melior asked dozens of questions about the happenings in Town while Eddie and Al did their best to answer them all.
Halfway through the meal, Nathaniel glanced at his unusually quiet mother and noticed her head lulling toward her plate. He understood her desire to dine with the duke, but she had pushed herself too hard to be here. How could he gracefully excuse her without making her feel unwelcome?
Then Melior stood and the men scrambled to their feet. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen. I forgot Lady Stanford and I have a prior engagement, but I shall meet you all in the drawing room when you are finished with your port.”
His mother did not protest or contradict her, which was a testament to how poorly she fared.
Melior motioned to a footman and the man brought the bath chair.
Nathaniel was awed by her thoughtfulness and ingenuity. He knew she had no prior responsibilities, but her care for his mother had led her to act.
