30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

M elior was in the front parlor when the butler announced her uncle. She rose to greet him only to find he was not alone. Lady Jillian was at his side.

She had been introduced to the lady, but this was the first time they had been in a room together since the engagement had been announced. Melior's gaze traveled over the petite woman who was eight years her senior, noting the way she gripped her uncle's arm. It seemed they were both nervous for this meeting.

What would she say to her? How would they get on? In four more days they would be family. Would she be as kind as Aunt Lucinda?

Probably not. The closeness of their age would lend less to the type of relationship she'd had with her beloved aunt and more to that of a friend—if they could accomplish such a thing.

Melior curtsied and Lady Jillian did the same. "Please have a seat. I am pleased to have you both here."

The two settled on the settee, Uncle Percy resting his elbow on the carved scrolled armrest. Melior took up one of the seats Al and Javenia had sat in the day previous. She'd yet to apologize for her outburst as the two had been absent since early this morning. Had they gone out together… unattended? The thought caught her by surprise and she wondered if she should search out Nathaniel and have him go after them.

A footman carrying a large trunk stopped at the door. "Where should I put this, Your Grace?"

"In the lady's room. When you get there, please bring me back the small brown band box packed on top."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The man backed out and climbed the stairs visible across the hall. Melior scrunched her face in confusion.

"What is in the trunk?"

"A few things you accidentally left at your parents' home." His blue eyes danced with mischief. There had been no accident about it, but it was best not to make a big deal about her mother's misdeeds in front of his betrothed. Poor woman had enough gossip to deal with without having to hear about their family commotion.

Even though Lady Jillian was the daughter of an earl, there had been enough said about her aspirations and her homely looks to hurt anyone. But from the little Melior knew of her, it would be even more difficult for her quiet, soft disposition.

"Thank you for retrieving those for me." Melior picked at a loose thread on the blue wingback chair trying to come up with a topic of conversation. "The weather has been a might dreary this morning." As it usually was at the end of March, but the subject seemed ridiculous even to her. She never stooped to idle topics when in her uncle's company.

"The thick misting rain does have a tendency to dampen one's spirits," Lady Jillian said, her voice soft and hesitant. The lady's fingers fluttered in her lap and she glanced at Uncle Percy.

He smiled encouragingly. "Yes, it is not the type of weather one likes to go out in, but I knew you'd be needing those gowns for the ball."

"Ball?"

"Indeed. As we are forgoing the normal wedding breakfast on Wednesday in order to begin our wedding tour early, I am hosting a celebration Tuesday evening instead."

Melior looked between the two, finding the decision odd. She'd never heard of someone celebrating their marriage before the vows were taken. Then again, as a duke, Uncle Percy could do about anything he wished.

"That sounds"—she searched her mind for a word— "delightful."

It didn't. The idea of her uncle's wedding celebration being the first ball she'd attend since her life had been turned upside down tore at her. She could go the rest of her life without the reminder that she'd caused so much havoc in so many lives.

"I hoped you would think so." Uncle Percy rose when the footman returned and took the box the man carried. Crossing to her, he placed it in her lap.

"What is this?"

"A few gifts that needed returning."

She removed the lid and pulled back the paper. Her jewelry. She glanced up at him and realized he'd done far more than retrieve her trunk from her parents. What sort of confrontation must have happened for him to retrieve the property her mother had stolen from her? That he had saved her from having to endure such an uncomfortable accusation brought tears to her eyes.

"Thank you." She reached out and grasped his hand.

He smiled and squeezed her fingers. "Anything for my girl."

She let his words warm her heart, latching onto them and holding them close for the times when she was bound to feel lost and alone.

He sat as she looked through the pieces. When she reached the sapphire and diamond necklace, she pulled it out of the box. "Are you sure you do not want these… for your own daughter one day?"

Lady Jillian's cheeks pinked at the reference, but Uncle Percy shook his head. "If we are blessed to have a daughter, I have many other pieces that will do just as well. That set is for you. A reminder of your grandmother's legacy."

She peered into his softly weathered face, knowing exactly what he meant. He wanted her to find love. To bond her heart with Nathaniel's and find joy in creating a life together much as her grandparents had. She clutched the necklace to her chest.

"Thank you."

When Javenia returned later that day, Melior was surprised to see her alone.

"Did you not take a maid with you? And where is Algenon?"

"How should I know where the man has traipsed off to? I am not my neighbor's keeper." Javenia cast her a cheeky grin. "As for the maid, I did not need one. I accompanied an… acquaintance about town for a few hours. It was quite enlightening."

"Acquaintance? What sort of acquaintance? Not a gentleman, I hope."

"No, no. There are no gentlemen of my acquaintance who would be worth enough to jeopardize my reputation simply for a jaunt about London. No, I was with Lady Braithwaite."

Melior took a step back as if pushed by an unseen hand. "The young widow? I am not sure accompanying her anywhere is any better for your reputation than riding about with a gentleman."

"Nonsense. I know the rumors surrounding her, but she is harmless. Besides, with her connections and knowledge she makes for a good resource when one needs to find out the dirt on certain members of the Ton."

Intrigued, Melior motioned her to sit. "What sort of information?"

"It seems Mr. Tom Fairchild keeps a mistress in Cheapside."

"That does not surprise me."

"Yes, well, said mistress is currently infuriated with him and was more than happy to talk."

"You visited his mistress?" she squeaked. "Javenia, what if someone had seen you?"

"I did not. Lady Braithwaite did. I stayed in the carriage with the curtains drawn."

Melior did not know if she should be relieved or enraged. What if someone had known Javenia was alone in that part of Town?

"From what was said, it seems Mr. Fairchild brought a lady to his mistress's home when she was out and stayed with her." Javenia's eyebrows rose, reinforcing the implication.

"No!" Melior shook her head trying to get the disgusting thought out of her head. The man was a cesspool of unsavory qualities. Why in the world were such people allowed to frequent the ballrooms of London with no repercussions, while she'd been sent like a lamb to the slaughter for one innocent mistake?

Well, not completely innocent.

The guilt that always hung at the back of her mind pushed its way forward, clouding out all other thoughts until Javenia spoke again.

"That is not all. It seems his companion was a lady of quality."

"How would his mistress know that?"

"She had an earring that was left behind. Not only that, but several of her neighbors reported seeing them come and go."

Melior's stomach churned. The man was a menace to Society. She wrapped an arm around her middle. "I think we should speak of something else."

"Are you all right? You look pale."

"I could have been trapped in a marriage with that man."

Javenia moved to sit by her and picked up her hand. "But you were not. You should thank God that Nathaniel came upon you when he did. His intervention saved you."

"Nathaniel's or God's?"

"Both." She chuckled.

"I am not a church-going person, Javenia."

"I know, but Nathaniel is, as am I and John. Just a fair warning."

That explained Nathaniel's absence this morning when Melior had gone in search of him. She supposed it was for the best, since it seemed Javenia and Al were not together. Perhaps Al had accompanied Nathaniel to services.

"Was there anything else you were able to learn?" Melior asked, returning to their previous conversation.

"Yes, but I am not sure how true it is. There is a rumor going around Town that Lady Jane is involved in some sort of scandal."

"Could it have been her that Mr. Fairchild took to Cheapside?"

Javenia hesitated. "I do not think so. Knowing that lady's moral convictions, I do not think she would be seduced into a liaison."

"I had not realized you were acquainted with Lady Jane."

"I am not really, but while in Town we attend the same congregation."

"Many people attend services and still do unsavory things."

"Yes, but Lady Jane is far too pious and often decries infidelity among men. I am not saying she is a saint, but I cannot believe she would turn and do the same."

Melior frowned. "I can, but perhaps my view is tainted by years of her cutting remarks."

Javenia grinned. "I see your sense of competition is still healthy and strong."

Competition? Was that really it? Melior reined in the irritation that always accompanied the mention of Lady Jane, trying to remember that her thoughts concerning the lady were probably shaped by her mother's septic views.

"We have never got on well, but I suppose some of that is my fault. Our families have not been friends and my mother often compared me to her, reminding me I needed to be better than the likes of her."

"That explains your disdain. No one likes to be compared to others. Look," Javenia scooted closer in her chair. "I never thought that Lady Jane would stoop low enough to be so cruel to you. And after what we witnessed last night, I am certain she is not the one who enlisted Mr. Fairchild the night of the Durhams' ball. In fact, Lady Braithwaite claims Lady Jane has as much or more of an aversion to Mr. Fairchild as you do, so there is little chance of her changing her mind now. With all that being said, I always thought the two of you would get on nicely as you have similar tastes in fashion and in the accomplishments you pursue."

"You mean her family has forced her to become proficient at everything ," Melior said wryly, bitterness creeping in at the thought. She had pushed herself to excel, sometimes past her own endurance, and for what? To be cast off without a second thought.

"Even your caustic remark sounds like her." Javenia laughed. "I have overheard her complain of her father and stepmother's expectations on more than one occasion."

Melior relaxed into her chair, letting her proper posture slip. Were she and Lady Jane really so much alike?

"I know it is none of my nevermind, but you might think of taking a moment to really understand the lady. Especially if she is facing a scandal as you did. She might be in need of a friend."

A pang tugged at Melior's heart. She knew what it was like to lose the ones she had once thought would never desert her. Perhaps if she reached out, it would in some way appease her guilt. A good deed to help with all her bad ones. She could not fix the years of hurt between them, and perhaps Lady Jane would never accept her help, but she would never know if she did not try.

The front door opened and male voices were heard in the hall.

"I guess that answers where Algenon went off to." Javenia rose from her seat and Melior did likewise.

In the hall, she hesitated. Her natural impulse pulled her toward her husband, wanting to seek the comfort of his arms, but the feelings were so new and she was unsure if he'd accept such a public display.

Nathaniel removed his coat and handed it to the butler. "How was your morning?" He crossed to her and kissed her cheek. The show of affection surprised her so much that she looped an arm behind his back, a need for reassurance rising within. Without hesitation he pulled her into an embrace.

His jacket smelled of rain and cinnamon. She nestled into his chest, relishing his warmth.

"Perhaps we should leave the lovebirds alone."

Javenia met Al's quip with one of her own. "Yes, best to save your eyes from such open displays of affection. I would not want to damage your tender sensibilities."

Melior giggled. Nathaniel's chest rumbled with a laugh as well.

"All right, we will save our greetings for when we are not around such impressionable youths such as yourselves." Nathaniel pulled away from her.

She wanted to protest, but knew it was for the best. No need to display her heart too openly.

Nathaniel invited them all to the study on the second floor with a promise of warmer accommodations. The house was not terribly cold, especially compared to Kendall House or even Havencrest, especially since the reduced amount of rooms combined with their small size meant heat stayed more confined than in their larger counterparts. But the men had been out in the dismal London weather, and were likely chilled to their core.

Melior settled into a large leather chair next to the fire, glancing about at the books on the shelves. One thing was for certain, there was no lack of reading material in either of Nathaniel's properties.

He caught her staring and moved to the shelf by the window. Three rows down and one over he plucked a leather-bound book off the shelf. Crossing in front of her, he dropped it in her lap. She lifted the book, but knew she'd not be able to see what it said. Not that it bothered her. It was thoughtful of him to suggest a book at all, even if done silently.

"It is called Belinda . I took the liberty of having the three volumes bound together, although I do not particularly care for the last one. Some changes were made to the story that weakened it, in my opinion."

She smiled, knowing she would need to retrieve her spectacles before she dove into its pages.

Nathaniel took up the seat at his desk and Algenon sat on the window seat, leaving the other leather chair for Javenia.

"How were services?" Melior asked, hazarding a guess from Javenia's earlier revelation. She supposed she could have asked the staff where he'd gone, but she'd been too concerned with rummaging through her gowns to worry about his absence.

"It was a fine sermon." Nathaniel picked up the stub of a pencil and tapped it on the desk. "But I believe what happened after services will be of most interest to you."

"And what was that?"

"We received an invitation to a musicale for tomorrow."

"We? Who encompasses that we?"

"You, me, Al, Javenia. And I have it on good authority that invitations were sent to your uncle and his betrothed."

Javenia tapped her chin with her forefinger. "Odd that it should be given so close to the date."

"Not really. Al worked his usual charm on the lady's family and the invitation was extended."

Melior did not miss the way Javenia's eyes narrowed at Algenon, but her friend remained silent, which for her was an unusual reaction. No teasing or barbed remarks, she simply crossed her hands on her lap and placed all her attention on Nathaniel.

"Are you going to tell us where this musicale is?"

"At Lord Brock's."

Melior had heard of the man but was unfamiliar with his family.

Javenia leaned forward a smirk on her lips. Algenon squirmed under her gaze. "You plied your talents on a fifteen-year-old girl? What a conquest."

He glared at her flat praise. "Does it matter the age? I went with a purpose and I accomplished it."

"The way Nate crowed I thought it a deserved win." She laughed. "But an impressionable young girl who should not even be out in Society is easy to sway. Especially that girl. Not an ounce of sense in her head, and an eye set on anything male that moves."

"I doubt you could do any better," Algenon grumbled.

She laughed even harder. "That is because… as you can see… I am not male."

The way Algenon's eyes took the liberty of appraising Javenia made Melior uncomfortable. Not that he was indecent, only that there was a certain amount of longing that she'd never seen before.

When Javenia's laughter ceased, he said, "Can we speak about why this is truly providential?"

"No need to pout, Algenon." Javenia grinned at him and he stuck his tongue out at her.

Everyone laughed, including Algenon. The tension in the room dissipated and conversation turned to the next evening's event.

"If I am correct," Nathaniel said, "Lord Caraway will be attending this musicale due to some connection with the family. And if he is going to be there, I would wager Lady Edith will be there as well. You can observe them for yourself, Melior, and perhaps speak with her."

Melior began shaking her head before he even finished. Her heart pounded, knowing a confrontation with Edith would only divulge her own secret. "I have no wish to ask. In truth, I have been wondering if we ought not let all of this go. If she was truly the wrongdoer, perhaps no one else will be hurt. There is no use in belaboring the argument if I was her only target."

Nathaniel rose. "But what about what she did to you?"

His agitation made the knot in her chest grow tighter, but if she wanted to keep him from the truth, no one could speak with Edith. "It does not matter anymore. It worked out for the best." She tried to give him a flirtatious smile, but worried it looked as forced as it felt.

"Well, I cannot let it go as easily." He walked around the desk to pace along the rug.

Algenon and Javenia glanced at one another and Javenia motioned with her head to the door. Melior caught his subtle nod of agreement and frowned. They would desert her at a time like this?

But no one had a chance to leave as the knocker on the front door rang throughout the house moments before sobbing could be heard downstairs. Heavy, quick footsteps on the stairs announced someone's rapid approach. Melior and Nathaniel met them in the hall.

"Who is it?" Nathaniel asked the panicked footman.

"A lady, my lord. She insists on seeing Lady Stanford right away."

Melior scurried past them and rushed down the stairs. Grabbing the banister, she swung around the end of the stairs and entered the parlor.

Her eyes widened at the woman who sat with her head in her hands, sobs wracking her body.

She did the only thing she could. She sat down and wrapped her arm around Agatha.