Page 15 of Countess So Shameless (Scandal in London 1)

Is she warm enough?

Make sure her lips are kept moist.

Listen for the next breath.

Everything else would come in its own time, far sooner than she wanted.

Half an hour later, her mother’s blue eyes had opened wide, looking through Mélisande to fix upon some distant point. A radiant smile had lit her pale, drawn features, making her beautiful once more as she released her last, trembling breath in an exhalation of joy.

“Chèr ami...”

The bitter cold of winter held England in its icy grip as Mélisande arrived at Kensington House in answer to the royal summons. After settling in her chambers, she wandered the grounds she knew so well from summers spent here with her parents, wondering what would become of her.

The fact that George happened to be her godfather would not prevent him from using her to his advantage. The Jacobites had been subdued, but Charles still stirred the pot from his exile in France. The earldom was just waiting to be bestowed upon some lucky courtier whose loyalty he wanted to secure. The most she could hope for was a decent man with a tolerable disposition. She prayed he would elevate a man of lower rank so she would at least be able to remain in her home. Papa had always taken care of their farmers, laborers, and household servants. Hopefully, she’d be allowed to continue the tradition in his stead.

But who would His Majesty name as her husband-to-be? She prayed it wouldn’t be Beaufort. Though he had a great deal of influence at court and had expressed keen interest in her, the man was an utter lackwit.

And definitely not Lord Herrington. She shuddered with distaste. She’d sooner marry Beaufort’s favorite hound than that horrid brute.

The next morning, she received the summons.

George smiled at her with visible pleasure as she sank into a deep curtsy. “Who is this vision I see before me? Where is the mischief-making imp who used to run my halls? It’s good to see you again, Melly. I only wish the circumstances were different.”

Loo

king down, Mélisande blinked away the stinging in her eyes, surprised to find herself capable of producing any more tears. “I would have arrived sooner, Your Majesty, but the weather did not permit it.”

“Entirely understandable,” he said, waving away her apology. “As it is, I disliked disturbing you so soon, but there is important business to be addressed, and it must be done quickly. I shall come right to the point. You are aware your father had no male heirs, of course. After his death, your mother held everything in his stead at my behest, in the hope that you would marry and the title be given to your husband and his heirs through you.”

Steeling herself, Mélisande closed her eyes and nodded.

“In her final correspondence, your mother made a request regarding the issue of your marital state, or rather the lack thereof,” George announced. “We have chosen to honor this request, in memory of our long friendship with your family.”

The subtle shift in his manner of speech was not lost on Mélisande. It was as she’d feared. He was no longer acting as her “Uncle George” or her godfather; he was her king. And he hadn’t arranged her marriage—her mother had. By his hand, Maman would enforce her will from the grave, knowing that though her daughter had defied her in life, she could not disobey the king’s command.

David would be wroth.

“Isabelle asked that we not arrange a marriage for you,” George continued, the corner of his mouth lifting in a knowing smile.

Mélisande’s heart leapt from the pit of her stomach to lodge squarely in her throat. “She did?”

“Indeed. She was most adamant that you be allowed to select your own husband,” he stated. “She also made us aware that you assisted Wilmington a great deal in the oversight of the estate during the last two years of his life, and that after his death you managed the business of the earldom almost entirely yourself. Is it true you dismissed your steward for thievery?”

Still bewildered, she nodded. If he isn’t marrying me off, then why have I been summoned to court? “Yes, Your Majesty,” she answered. “After Papa died, I grew suspicious when the cost of certain items sharply increased, but when I asked the steward about it, he told me it was no business of mine. I inquired of the merchants shortly thereafter and discovered his dishonesty. I would have brought him to justice, but he learned of my inquiries and escaped before I could have him detained.”

“Well, should he be found, you have our full permission to have him hanged for his crimes,” George growled, eyes flashing. “Now,” he said, settling himself once again, “we have verified that the estate has been well run and productive in your care, and as long as it remains thus, we are quite happy for things to continue as they are. Of course, we should much prefer it if you married,” he said pointedly, “but should you choose to remain unwed and childless, the earldom will simply revert to the Crown upon your death.”

Mélisande stared, unbelieving. If nothing else, she’d expected a command to find a husband within a certain amount of time. “I may remain unwed?”

“The choice is yours,” he confirmed. “There is one condition. Should you decide to take a husband, he must meet with my approval prior to the nuptials. Your mother entrusted me to see to it no scoundrel takes advantage of you; thus, I have determined your husband shall have no claim to the title, but that it shall instead pass to your eldest son immediately upon his coming of age. We have, as such, created you the new Countess of Wilmington.”

It was almost too much to fathom. I’m free...

On impulse, she went to him and kissed his cheek. “Oh, Uncle George, thank you!” she whispered, tears of relief filling her eyes.

“There now,” he said gruffly, patting her back. “I expect you’ll find a suitable husband soon enough. You’re a pretty thing, even in mourning, and should have no trouble at all in that regard. You’ll smile at him and be married within the year.”

Mélisande disagreed. No man would ever inspire her to give up her autonomy, now that it was hers. The only one with any chance of convincing her otherwise was long gone and far away, but she didn’t dare break Uncle George’s jovial mood by saying it. Keeping her contrary notions to herself, she departed, feeling light for the first time in almost a year.

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