Page 51 of Rescued from Betrayal
“Apparently I am.”
The duke leaned forward. “Then might I suggest you take the time to speak to your mother about it? I could tell you myself, but it is not my story to share.”
Nathaniel searched the man’s face. He’d not realized the duke knew so much about his family.
“I will do that.”
“See that you do. I believe once you know the whole of things your view will change and your chances of a happy marriage will drastically increase.”
Nathaniel drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “And what if Melior does not wish to have such a marriage?”
“She does. Melior was trained in love from the time she could toddle. My wife doted on her as if she was her own daughter, and in truth, she is the daughter of my heart, hence why I found a match with you to be the most advantageous.”
“Advantageous? Me?”
“Yes”
“But I am a mere baronet.”
The duke’s lips raised in a slow meaningful smile. “Yes, one who has been smitten with Melior since long before her mother got hold of her social training.”
Nathaniel opened and closed his mouth several times. “How?”
“I am not blind. I was young and in love once as well, but my wife was the true discerner.”
All this time he’d thought his secret had been kept safely between him and John. He bit his fist, trying not to let shame and embarrassment overwhelm him. How many others had suspected his tendre?
“Was it so obvious?” he finally asked.
“No, but my Lucinda had a way of reading people that was unparalleled. When she pointed out what she had witnessed, I could not deny the validity of it. We told no one, and I believe only those that were close at hand could have possibly guessed. But the night you stepped in to rescue my niece I knew you would go to any lengths to make her happy, even if it meant giving up your own comfort. Melior needs a man like that.”
“But she has changed from when we first met. Forgive me for saying so, but at times she is cold and calculating.”
“No, she mirrors cold and calculating. What you see is her mother shining through the carefully crafted shell of perfection Melior has been expected to keep. I believe when she has had enough time to reacquaint herselfwith herself, you will find the intelligent, kind, and often cheeky woman she was always meant to be. But you will need to look beyond your own prejudices.”
Nathaniel’s head jerked back. He was not prejudiced.
“Do not act so affronted. We all have prejudices. Yours were born of a need to protect your own heart. But if you question your assumptions about Melior and assess your own behavior and how it might have pushed her to dislike you, I believe you will see an entirely different picture.”
He let the duke’s words mull around in his mind a moment. Was he really at fault for Melior’s dislike of him? He had been quite brusque and unapproachable, but she had been so flippant and often rude, avoiding any attempt he had made to dance with her or even interact. She herself had whispered her contempt of his rank to her friends when she thought he could not hear.
A mirror of her mother? Was it possible? He reflected on Melior’s behavior these last four weeks. She was nothing like the woman he’d seen in the ballrooms.
The duke leaned forward. “Will you endeavor to think highly of her even when you are tempted to judge her harshly?”
The duke’s straightforward question reminded Nathaniel so much of his own father’s frankness that he ached. He missed how effortlessly his father had known exactly what challenge was needed for a course correction.
“I will do my best.”
The duke slapped his knees. “See that you do.” He rose to his feet. “You made promises to my niece. I expect you to hold to them. Remember that you pledged to honor her, cherish her… to love her. Be a man of your word, and I will consider myself adequately thanked.”
Nathaniel rose as well, the magnitude of his responsibility weighing heavy on his chest. He shook the Duke of Bedford’s hand and wished him a good night, but his mind still churned. What if he did all those things and Melior never came to love him in return?
Chapter 18
The door to Melior’s room rattled, pulling her from a deep sleep. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes. The door rattled again.
She grabbed her blankets and pulled them up to her chin. Who was trying to enter her room? It was probably nothing, but thoughts of stolen jewels and indignant servants made her fear for her safety.
