4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

M elior watched as Lord Caraway walked away to greet an acquaintance at a nearby table. He was a fine-looking man with stylish light brown hair and a lean build that tended toward slender, but better to be thin now as most men grew pudgier with time.

The door to Gunter's opened and a shapely blonde walked in on the arm of young Lord Hamdon. Melior frowned. Of course Lady Jane would choose this moment to show her far too perfect face.

Said lady's gaze swept across the crowded tearoom and landed on Melior.

Melior turned in order to not give her rival the satisfaction of knowing how much her presence upset her. It was frustrating enough to have to compete against her in the ballrooms, but she'd hoped to have at least one activity where she could not be compared to her polar opposite beauty.

Hopefully, Lord Caraway would see Lady Jane had a companion and refrain from interrupting their outing. Yes, that would be the gentlemanly thing to do, would it not?

"It was kind of Lord Caraway to treat us all to tea," Agatha said, taking a sip.

Melior stirred her warm drink thoughtfully. "He probably understood that you are both much more agreeable chaperones than my mother or a maid."

Edith sputtered on her tea. Setting it down, she held her serviette to her mouth.

"Are you alright?" Agatha's doe-like eyes widened.

"I am very well," Edith said, clearing her throat. "Mellie, have you thought that he might have invited us all out because he enjoys our company as well?"

"That is what I said. You are much better company than a servant."

Edith glanced away, her mouth in a straight line.

What was eating at her now? Melior could tell she was not saying something, but her friend continued to stare at the occupants of another table. From this angle she could only see Edith's profile. The light accentuated her long pointy nose and flat brow, and not for the first time Melior pitied her friend's unfortunate appearance.

She did not consider Edith homely, but her face tended toward sharp points and her figure had little curve to speak of, much like her personality. If one was not careful they could get stung by Edith's sharp tongue, but more often than not she used it on people of little consequence to them. For the most part, though, her personality hardly varied. She was unwaveringly steady without much curve in her emotions.

It was a comfort for Melior as her mother's moods often swung quite drastically, but usually only behind closed doors.

Agatha set her cup down. "Miss Harris, what a pleasure to see you."

Melior jerked her head around to see the woman standing next to their table. A couple years older than herself, Miss Harris was a pretty sort. Her lashes and brows were dark brown but her hair was more caramel in coloring.

Warm brown eyes met Melior's and she smiled. Miss Harris was the only other person she knew that had remained blessedly free of freckles like herself.

"Miss Harris, do sit down a spell." Melior gestured to the one open chair at their table. "Lord Caraway is to take that seat, but he is busy at the moment and would not mind."

"Thank you, I shall." Miss Harris expertly swept her pale pink dress to the side and sat. Other than Lady Jane, she was the only woman Melior had any fear of losing out to in terms of looks. But Miss Harris was so very likable and held a decent enough standing as a baron's daughter that Melior was willing to risk the threat of competition. Plus as an on off again friend of Mr. Roberts, it was only right that she accept her into her circle.

Agatha began chatting amiably with Miss Harris about the weather. Edith wrinkled her nose and inspected the crowds of people again. It was no secret that she detested Miss Harris, but Melior could not figure out why. They had no past history that she knew of, but when the woman was about, Edith would conveniently find other things to occupy her attention.

When the conversation lulled, Melior took it up. "Miss Harris, did I see Mr. Roberts lead you onto the floor at the Grishams' ball?"

Miss Harris's lips quirked. "You did. I suppose he has won another point in his favor on the side of friend for his timely rescue, but he is sure to do something unforgivably stupid soon to gain him two points on the side of enemy."

Melior covered a giggle. Mr. Roberts and Miss Harris were ever pecking at one another. Of all the women Mr. Roberts flattered in London, she could never understand why he chose not to use his charming words on Miss Harris. Then again, she would probably discount them as a mode to gain something from her like an introduction or a chance to hunt on her father's property, their country estates being neighbors.

"He seemed to think you were firmly friends again after that set, perhaps even your knight in shining armor for the rescue. He told me so on Sunday."

"See," Miss Harris said, "that is just the sort of boast that places him back in my black books. Algenon never knows when to hold his tongue."

Melior raised a brow at the use of Mr. Roberts' Christian name, but Miss Harris seemed nonplussed.

"Lord Caraway is returning," Edith said.

Glancing around, Melior saw that he was in fact, making his way toward their table, but slowly, stopping to speak with each person he knew. It was probably Edith's way of getting rid of Miss Harris, and it worked.

"Well, I should be going. Will I see you at Almack's on Wednesday?" Miss Harris's words were directed at Melior, and she dipped her head in acknowledgement.

"I will be there."

"Very good, I shall see you then."

Edith waited until Miss Harris was well out of hearing distance before she began disparaging her choice of dress. To be certain, it was not as fashionable as the ones they all wore, but not everyone was as fortunate as they were.

As the daughter of a duke, Agatha held the highest rank among them, but the niece of one was nearly as good, especially one without an heir.

Melior sobered. At least no heir yet.

She glanced over at Lord Caraway and frowned. He had stopped to speak to Lady Jane and Lord Hamdon. Of course he had. He was personable like that. It was time to secure his affections before he found out about her uncle's marriage on Sunday—if he had not heard rumors already.

She could not risk losing her place in Society.

Lord Caraway slapped Lord Hamdon on the back and moved on to sit with them. "My apologies for leaving you all so long. Was that Miss Harris I saw?"

Melior dipped her chin in confirmation while Edith frowned.

"I had hoped to greet her before she left, but I see I have taken too long." Lord Caraway tapped a finger on the table. "Well, perhaps I shall see her again soon."

The hopeful note in Lord Caraway's voice made Melior's heart jump into her throat. Did he have some interest in Miss Harris? That would not do. It was time to make her feelings clear.

Leaning forward, she laid her hand lightly on his sleeve. "Will you be attending Almack's this week? I should so like to see you there."

His eyebrows rose a fraction and he patted her hand. "Of course I will be there." Then he turned to the other two ladies. " And I should like to petition for a dance from all of you in advance. That way I shall not be in want of partners."

Agatha and Edith smiled, offering willing consent, but Melior had to fight back her frown. He must not have understood her implication. Now what was she to do?

Melior's bedroom door slammed open, startling both her and her maid.

Her mother stood in the doorway; a firm set to her shoulders. "Jones, please leave us, I need to speak with my daughter."

The maid bobbed a curtsy and left. Melior stared at herself in the dressing table mirror as her mother took a seat in one of the chairs near the fire. Jones had left midway through pinning up Melior's dark curls which felt like a metaphor for her life lately. Everything was half undone, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not seem to tie up the loose ends.

The ball at Almack's had not gone as she'd wanted and now she only had tonight before the first set of banns were read tomorrow. She glanced at her mother's stern face through the mirror.

"I hope you understand what is expected of you tonight," her mother said, gazing into the fire.

"I do."

"You must secure him, Melior. Your fool uncle is set on this path and cannot be dissuaded."

Melior fingered a curl. She'd visited her uncle earlier in the day and did not think him foolish in the least. He'd been so happy. It was the first time in a year that she'd seen him smile so much. He'd been so content that she could not in good conscience hold on to any anger against him.

Uncle Percy had always been kind to her and it felt wrong to wish away his joy, especially when he'd announced that in light of the current situation, he would be adding to the amount her father had set aside for her dowry.

"I know this was not what we all expected, Melior," he'd said. "You know how your aunt and I have adored you, and I hate to see you hurt by this turn of events. I will make it up to you, I promise."

Even with all the changes in his own life, Uncle Percy had thought of her and it warmed her heart.

"It was kind of him to double the amount of my dowry, Mother. He did not have to, you know."

"And why should he not? It is his fault that you are to lose your position in Society, unless of course his new bride cannot provide an heir. Perhaps she will die in childbirth. Many women do, you know."

Melior gasped. "Mother!"

"Do not appear so shocked. It is a fact of life."

"But how can you wish for such a thing? Lady Jillian does not deserve such a fate."

"I did not say I wished for it; I only said it could happen. Now, we must discuss how you plan to get Lord Caraway to propose."

She blinked at her mother. Was she implying what she thought?

Melior tugged at one of her curls, then began placing her pins in a straight line on the table.

"Melior Louise," her mother said in a warning tone.

Her head shot up. "I suppose I could see if he wants to walk in the garden."

"In this weather? You'd catch your death. Best to catch him when he goes to the men's retiring room. There is a cloakroom not far from there where you can speak privately."

A blush spread over Melior's cheeks and down her neck. "Are you suggesting I compromise myself?"

"Of course. How else can you guarantee a proposal?"

She would not do it. Could not. Perhaps she could find a way to speak to him privately in a more appropriate place. She began shaking her head before she even realized it.

Her mother jumped to her feet. "You have a name to live up to. Melior means superior and you must be superior, just as your Grandmother Melior. She was an exquisite duchess, and you shall be as impressive of a marchioness. But you cannot attain such levels if you do not take some risks."

"Maybe Uncle Percy's marriage will not sway Lord Caraway's interest. It is not a given that children will be born. Perhaps Uncle Percy could persuade him. Lord Caraway may yet declare himself, especially if he finds out how much has been added to my dowry."

"We cannot risk it."

"But you said—"

"I know what I said," her mother snapped. "We would not be in this position if you had simply accepted any of the other well-connected gentlemen I suggested these last five seasons, but you insisted on taking your time. Now you have a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will not let you throw it away."

Take risks, don't take risks. The way her mother contradicted herself made Melior's head swim.

"You are not getting any younger, Melior. If you cannot secure Lord Caraway, I will be forced to have your father make arrangements for you to marry the Earl of Penbrose. It would be a step down to be sure, but he seemed eager enough last we spoke."

Her mouth fell open. The Earl of Penbrose was Lord Caraway's uncle and had to be almost eighty years old. The idea was completely ludicrous. And yet her mother seemed to think it a perfectly suitable plan.

"Do not look at me like that. I am only considering additional measures to secure your future should you fail. So which will it be? Lord Caraway or Lord Penbrose?"

Her mother glared down at her and Melior wilted in her seat. "Lord Caraway," she mumbled.

"Good. Now shoulders straight, chin up, and do not miss a single step tonight. Remember, my darling, you are superior. We settle for nothing. Don't be a fool and marry a second son as I did. Hopefully you can secure Lord Caraway since he's young and has no older children that could banish you to the dower house should he die. But if not…"

And with the unspoken threat hanging in the air, she left.