Page 66 of Rescued from Betrayal
“Hardly.” She smiled. “She meant offense, you simply forgot. But as for Baylor, I wish to keep her as my lady’s maid a bit longer.”
He slipped his hand into hers and led her to the settee. Settling her next to him, he faced her, their knees touching. “You wish tokeep a woman who not only slighted you, but knew your things were being taken? I must advise against it.”
“Has she ever been untrustworthy before?”
“Nothing has ever been brought to my attention, but my mother deals with the discipline of most of the household servants.”
“Then if she has nothing negative to report, I would like to give Baylor a second chance.”
He blinked at her. “Why?”
“The first day I arrived she showed actual concern for me, but I was cold in return. I think we simply started off wrong and perhaps some time could change that, especially if I can redeem myself by being the one to give her back her position.”
“You wish to be the one to tell her?” He rubbed his thumb over the soft skin of her hand, amazed at her generosity.
“Yes. But I will not give her free rein to do as she has previously. I will set down stipulations that she must abide.”
“I would expect nothing less.” He searched her gaze, noting how the curls about her face framed her eyes to perfection.
The air thickened and a pleasant tension snapped between them. Nathaniel wondered if Melior felt it too. She leaned forward a fraction and a jolt of pleasure made his heart rate increase.
She was so beautiful, and for the first time he realized her beauty traveled far deeper than he’d ever known. How had he been so blind? Then again, according to his father, prejudice was a darkness in the soul that could lead one to only see a lack of light rather than the brightness in others.
Slowly he slipped his hand around the back of Melior’s neck. She trembled under his touch and he wondered if it was from fear or pleasure. When she leaned in further, he had his answer.
Without another thought he pressed his lips to hers, relishing the warmth and acceptance there. A thousand fireworksexploded in his heart as he lived a fantasy he’d long since given up.
Someone cleared their throat and Melior jerked back, her cheeks flushed and her lips pink.
Nathaniel glared over his shoulder at the intruder, then shot to his feet.
“Your Grace.”
The twinkle in the duke’s eye belied his placid expression. “Is this an inopportune time?”
To his surprise, Melior giggled. Nathaniel tried to wipe his own smile off his face until the duke grinned. It was a lost cause and he laughed along with the others.
The duke took a seat across from the settee. “I remember the first time my mother came upon me and my bride in an embrace. Lucinda was mortified, but Mother simply congratulated her for making sure I was well kissed.”
“She did?” Melior’s eyes were wide.
“Yes, your grandmother never did hold to tradition that married couples should act as indifferent acquaintances in their own home.”
Nathaniel retook his seat, slipping his hand into Melior’s. Her ready acceptance brought a comfort he did not even know he needed.
“I think I would have liked your mother, Your Grace.”
“I know you would have. She and Melior share far more than their name.”
He turned. “You were named after your grandmother?”
She nodded. “Mother insisted I needed a name that let others know I was destined for greatness.”
The duke shook his head. “Yes, your mother always did see herself as far superior than those around her, hence any child of hers would have to be the same. But if she had studied the name more fully, she would have found that Melior is often translatedasbetterrather thansuperior.My mother always said it was a reminder from her parents to be better today than she had been the day before.”
Melior gave Nathaniel’s hand a slight squeeze, but her eyes remained on her uncle. “I believe that is the best way to translate the name, and one that I have been trying to put into practice of late.”
She had? Nathaniel squeezed her hand back, relishing the joy in the connection.
