Page 41 of Rescued from Betrayal
He lifted his gaze to hers and gave a tentative smile. “Good. Our cook has an amazing concoction that pulls the pain right out of burns.”
She returned his smile. His touch had been so pleasant that she wished he’d caress her hand again. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the others watching. Heat filled her cheeks and she cleared her throat. Gently, she pulled her hand away and tucked it back under the napkin, the warm sensation in her heart superseding the pain.
It was not the first time Sir Nathaniel had disoriented her, but itwasthe first time she did not push it away. As the others began conversing about the weather, her mind traveled to a time long before she’d entered Society. A time when things were simpler and her mother’s demands for perfection had not weighed so much on her mind. A time in a ballroom, with music, and a sweet young man who had been more than willing to teach her the intricate steps of the dance.
Chapter 15
The next day Nathaniel paced in the drawing room.
The fire he’d been trying to douse had flared to brilliant life the moment his hand had touched Melior’s. Each time he built up a resistance to his blasted attraction to her, it went up in smoke. Such had been the case throughout the past eight years, ever since that day in the ballroom at Kendall House when he had taught her the steps of the Allemande Cotillion.
That was the moment he’d looked into those pure blue eyes and known he would never be the same.
But he was a baronet’s son and she the daughter of a future duke. Society would never accept such a match, her father would never accept such a match, so he should never accept it.
But that did not keep him from fantasizing about a future connection with Melior for the next three years, all the while knowing it would never be.
Then Melior had made her debut in Society and everything had changed. Where she had been warm and amusing, she’dbecome cool and calculating, knowing exactly how to stand, when to smile, and who to associate with.
Every gentleman of fortune had flocked to her hoping for the chance to snag such a beautiful, well-connected prize. And each one had helped him to see how ridiculous his dreams were. So he’d done everything in his power to freeze her out.
But she was his now. Why did he not take the chance and at least see if there was any room in her heart for him?
A knock sounded on the door and Thompson announced John’s arrival.
“So,” he said, after shaking John’s hand, “where are we to stand for thismasterpiece?”
“Stop, Nate.You and I both know this will not be a masterpiece. It is only something to remember the occasion by.”
“Should we have dressed in our wedding attire then?”
“No, whatever you have on shall do fine. Where is Lady Stanford?”
He was about to say she was abed when he remembered John was speaking of Melior and not his mother. “She should be here shortly.”
At least, he hoped she would. Thompson or his wife would alert her to John’s arrival. Even if they did not, she should recall the time they had set to meet. She had been quite punctual to any other meeting they had set.
The door opened and the subject of his thoughts walked through, clad in a powdery blue day dress complemented by dark blue ribbons at her waist and in her hair. It was truly unfair how with so little effort she could turn his mind to mush.
He joined his hands behind his back and diverted his gaze to the Persian rug beneath his feet. He needed to regain his control.
“Good afternoon, Lord Newhurst. Might I inquire after your health?”
“I am well, Lady Stanford. A bit chilled from my ride over, but that is to be expected with weather such as this.”
“Yes, one would think the cold was on its way out, but it seems spring is not ready to visit. When it does come, however, I plan to try my hand at painting the flowers.”
“That is a fine idea.” John glanced at the door. “Could we, ah… that is, might I suggest… the music room?”
Nathaniel furrowed his brow at John.
“For the painting,” he amended.
Melior clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “That is exactly where I had landed upon. The light in that room is perfect at this time of day.”
“Y… yes.”
They all looked at one another as if no one knew who should lead the way. As the lady of the house, Melior should probably have stepped forward first. Was it his place to offer her an arm?
