5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

M elior did her best to keep her head up and her stride even. It was important that not one flaw show this evening. Following on the heels of her parents and brothers, she greeted the host and hostess. Lord and Lady Durham's home thrummed with life as ladies and gentlemen greeted one another. The multitude of pale gowns against men's dark evening attire brought on a bout of nerves.

There were far too many ladies to make the evening a success. She'd done her best to stand out, but she'd have to work especially hard to keep Lord Caraway's attention. Unless she had help. Her eyes landed on Edith.

She made a beeline toward her. What were friends for if not to help one toward an advantageous match?

Edith's usual placid expression lit with delight. "Is this not the most delightful crush?"

"It is, but it would be far more enjoyable if the numbers of ladies to gentlemen were flipped."

"Agreed. And if they had not invited some of the rabble."

Melior followed Edith's pointed gaze to Miss Harris. Why did she dislike her so much? She did not have time to question, however, and pulled Edith down an unoccupied hall.

"Where are we going?" Edith asked.

"We need to talk."

Edith followed without restraint. Once they rounded a corner and Melior was sure they could not be overheard, she said, "I need your help."

"How so?"

"I must get Lord Caraway alone tonight so he can have time to declare himself."

Edith frowned. "What makes you think he is going to offer for you?"

Melior ticked the reasons off on her fingers. "He has danced with me at every opportunity, taken me out on drives and walks several times this season, I get flowers from him regularly, but most importantly because I need him to."

"Oh posh, Melior." Edith smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "You do not really need him. I am sure another well-connected gentleman will come along if Lord Caraway does not come up to scratch."

"I do not have time, Edith. The first banns for my uncle and Lady Jillian's marriage will be read tomorrow. Once the Ton realizes that my father may not inherit the dukedom, my value among my peers will be greatly diminished."

"Is that not a bit dramatic?" Edith stepped back and glanced down the hallway. "You will still be the niece of a duke which is a far higher status than some of us can claim. Plus as the only daughter and niece, your dowry is extensive."

"You do not understand, Edith. I need to gain the title my family is counting on, otherwise all my training will have been for nothing. I have been raised to this and it is slipping from my grasp."

Melior stared at the top of her friend's head as Edith looked at the ground contemplatively. "Not only that, but my mother demands it. If I do not, I may be forced into another marriage." The pleading in her voice was pitiful, but she was desperate. She'd like to believe her mother was bluffing about Lord Penbrose. She had made empty threats before, but she could not be certain this was one of them.

Her entire life had been a juggling act of trying to gain her mother's approval while still fulfilling a few of her own dreams. Mother wanted title and fortune, but Melior secretly pined for a relationship reminiscent of her aunt and uncle with respect and mutual affection. Lord Caraway had the title and fortune necessary, but it was his easy disposition and good looks that made her desires for felicity in marriage possible. She was so close to fulfilling both their dreams that the idea of failing terrified her. She needed Edith's help, even if she had to stoop to begging.

Finally, Edith's head rose. "I will help you."

Melior threw her arms around her. "I knew you would not let me down."

Edith gave her back a few awkward pats. "Yes, well…what is it that you need from me?"

"I need you to keep track of Lord Caraway and let me know when he leaves the ballroom. I will try to do the same, but if I cannot then I will need you to alert me. Perhaps you could even tell him I have a message for him."

"And what shall I say this message is about?"

"I am sure you can come up with something."

"You want me to deceive him? Melior, are you trying to give him the opportunity to speak or are you seeking to trap him?"

"If my mother had her way it would be the latter, but I am not so unprincipled. I simply want to speak with him without giving him time to become nervous about this large step we are making."

Edith nodded thoughtfully. "And where should this conversation happen?"

"Some place natural." Melior peered around the corner at the open ballroom doors, then back to their position in the hall. "This is not a bad place. It seems quiet enough. And if I recall, both retiring rooms are off separate halls near this one. At some point he is bound to come out of the ballroom doors and we can meet by happenstance."

"Yes, complete happenstance." Edith smirked.

"Sometimes one must guide fate, you know."

"Or give it a big push down a dark hole."

Melior giggled. "Not dark, but a dim room might be nice to set the mood."

Edith slowly shook her head. "Very well. I will station myself close to the doors when I am not dancing."

"Thank you." Melior linked arms with her friend. "Now all that is left is for us to go charm the masses."

"Was not this planning for one particular man?" Edith's grey eyes flicked to her.

"Yes, but one must not discount the rest. Who knows, perhaps a handsome duke or prince will arrive to sweep me off my feet."

"Just you?"

"I am sure there will be an earl or two for you as well."

Edith's expression remained placid. "How generous, but what would I do with two husbands?"

Melior tittered and gave her friend's arm a squeeze. "You always know how to lighten the mood."

Couples danced merrily in the resplendent ballroom lit with hundreds of wax candles. Melior had chosen to wear her light blue silk, finding the color brought out the dark shine in her hair and made her eyes appear brighter and bluer than in other shades. She'd even gone as far as to allow the modiste to lower the neckline of her gowns by an inch. The result was quite shocking and made her feel nervous and exposed.

The effort seemed to work. Lord Caraway had already danced with her once and implied that he might ask her again for the supper set. She'd tried to whisper her request to meet, but the activity of the dance had not given her more than a few seconds of conversation. Maybe she could get him alone before or after they ate? Her hands began to sweat inside her gloves.

"Are you well, Miss Kendall?"

When had Sir Nathaniel taken up the place next to her? "I am. Why should you ask?"

"You seem a bit flushed, and you have a bit of… a… perspiration on your brow."

"How unkind of you to point out. Did your mother never teach you not to draw attention to when a woman glistens?"

"Glistens? Is that what women call it?"

For the first time in as long as she could remember Sir Nathaniel was smiling at her. It did seem a bit ridiculous that women could not admit to normal bodily functions. A slow smile grew on her own lips.

"Thank you for your concern, sir, but I am fine. Perhaps a bit warm. It is quite the crush."

"It is at that. I had not expected half so many or I would have sat this one out."

"You do not like balls with so many people?"

"Not at all. It makes it exceedingly difficult to dance with all the people in the way. With half this many there would be room for twice the amount of dancers."

She peered at the couples in the center of the room. It did seem like a tight fit. Then her gaze strayed back to Sir Nathaniel. Were they actually having a civil conversation? Something fluttered in her chest and she opened her fan to cool her face.

His brown eyes were locked on someone in the line of dancers. She followed what she thought was his line of sight to Lord Caraway. That could not be who he watched.

Perhaps it was the woman with the marquess. She glanced across the line and saw Lady Jane smiling and batting her eyes at Lord Caraway. Melior frowned. She looked ridiculous.

Then her frown curved into a sly smile. Lady Jane did not know it, but she was wasting her time dancing with Lord Caraway. By the end of the night he would declare himself and Melior would be the recipient.

"I overheard a couple of my maids discussing your uncle's upcoming nuptials," Sir Nathaniel said under his breath.

Melior shushed him. "Do not speak of such things here."

His mouth flattened into a line as he gazed down at her. The perfectly symmetrical line of his jaw and cheek made her think how fine a face he would have if he did not scowl so much.

"Very well, I wish you a good evening, Miss Kendall."

Her eyes trailed after him as walked away, the light fluttering calming with every step he took. Perhaps it was simply nervousness at having any man who was not Lord Caraway near her.

The dance ended and Lord Caraway led Lady Jane off the floor to her mother. Melior watched him exit the ballroom and smiled. This was her chance. She would excuse herself to the ladies' retiring room and then meet him before he reentered the ball.

Glancing over her shoulder, Melior caught her mother's eye. The nod of encouragement was all she needed to make her way toward the doors that led into the long hall.

Once outside, however, she was unsure which direction to go. The ladies' retiring room was to the left and the men's to the right, but she could not go that way without appearing brazen. She wandered to a picture on the far wall and gazed up at it, hoping if she stayed in the open area he'd have to pass her at some point.

"He is that way," Edith said from behind her.

She spun around to see her indicating the third hall, the one they had spoken in at the beginning of the night.

"Third door on the right."

Melior brightened. "Thank you, Edith. You are a gem."

Edith smiled. "Anything to help my dearest friend."

Melior wrung her hands together and perspiration dripped down her back. This felt so wrong, but how else would Lord Caraway have the privacy needed to confess his feelings and make certain of hers?

She looked at Edith.

"You can do this," Edith said. "Now go show how superior you are."

Her friend gave one short nod and Melior straightened her posture. This was it.

She marched down the hall to the exact door Edith had indicated. It was ajar, but only by a small crack. A soft glow came from within. She pushed the door open but saw no one.

Stepping in, she inspected the cloaks that hung along the back wall. Was this the cloakroom her mother had indicated? The door clicked shut behind her.

A man stood in the shadows, but his build was completely different than Lord Caraway's. "You wanted to meet with me."

Melior recognized the voice. Mr. Tom Fairchild.

"You are mistaken, sir. I did not request your company."

"Then why are you here, Miss Kendall?" He slowly advanced on her, a swagger in his step. "Come, you need not be modest. I have seen the way your eyes follow me. We could be a good match together. What with your uncle soon to be wed, you could do worse than a future earl."

She stumbled back a step. "I…" How had he known of her uncle? They'd all kept it so quiet.

Sir Nathaniel's words filled her mind. The servants , of course. He'd been trying to warn her.

"I see you are speechless. I have that effect on women."

Melior balled her fists at her sides. "Mr. Fairchild, I thank you for your kindness, but I believe you have been mistaken about my interest in you. Now, if you would be so kind as to move so I can exit before anyone finds us thus."

He gave a low chuckle. "Oh come now, it is not so bad. How about a small kiss for my troubles? It is not every day that I speak of marriage with a needy female."

Needy? She was far from destitute. Mr. Fairchild continued to advance on her. This was not how this night was supposed to go. Where was Lord Caraway?

She raised her hands in front of her to stop Mr. Fairchild's progress, but he kept coming.

"You are the loveliest creature that has ever graced the ballrooms of London, Miss Kendall. So beautiful you'd probably put the Goddess Venus to shame."

"Do you use that sort of flirtation on all women, Mr. Fairchild, or only ones you trap in cloakrooms against their will?"

"You entered of your own accord; I should say that is consent enough."

"It is not, I do not wish to be here with you, so please step aside."

His hand came up to caress the base of her neck. She jerked away at his touch, but an ominous tearing sound accompanied the motion as his fingers caught on the neckline of her dress. She cried out in surprise at the same moment the door flew open.

This was it. She'd be forced to marry the worst rake London had to offer. One hand flew to her torn sleeve while the other covered her eyes as she shrunk back against the cloaks, tears leaking through her fingers while she awaited her life sentence.

Nathaniel quickly took in the scene before him. Mr. Fairchild standing over a crying Melior, her body shaking and her dress torn. That was all it took. He crossed the room, balled his fist, and punched the man square in the nose.

No one took advantage of a woman, especially not one so closely connected to him.

Mr. Fairchild stumbled into a rack of coats, catching himself before he hit the floor. Blood spilled from both sides of his nose and he grabbed someone's unfortunate scarf to staunch the flow.

Thank God Eddie had sent him in search of John. Otherwise, he'd not have passed by in time to hear Melior declare her unwillingness to be caught alone. A few more minutes and… he could not think about it.

"Get out, Mr. Fairchild. And I do not mean only the ball. Get out of London or you will find yourself challenged to a duel."

The coward did not even try to defend himself. He simply nodded his head and ran from the room holding his nose. Nathaniel shook his head in disgust.

Stooping down he said, "Miss Kendall, are you well?"

She wept quietly and he worried Mr. Fairchild had done far more damage than only her torn sleeve. He shrugged out of his coat and gently wrapped it around her shoulders to protect her modesty.

She sniffled. "Thank you."

"Did he hurt you?"

"Nothing is damaged except my pride."

He smiled sadly. How had she come to be in the cloakroom anyway? Mr. Fairchild had said she walked in of her own accord. Was she looking for her things?

"I… I…" she swallowed and fresh tears fell onto her cheeks. "I thought I was going to be forced to marry him when you opened that door. You won't tell anyone, will you?"

A little crack opened in his heart at seeing her so distressed. She was no longer the perfect picture she purported to every corner of London. In that moment she appeared more human than ever, and he knew he'd do anything to save her from marriage to a rake such as Mr. Tom Fairchild.

It reminded him of a time seven years ago when he'd come upon her weeping in the family library. Her mother had flown into a rage over Melior's mediocre performance on the pianoforte and demanded she play until the piece was perfect. So Melior had practiced until blisters had formed on her fingers. Then she'd been scolded again for ruining the skin on her fingers.

But it was not her mother's anger she'd begged him not to reveal to anyone, it was her own tears. She'd wanted to appear strong in the face of adversity and he could not fault her for that.

He sat and placed an arm around her shoulder. "I shall keep your secret."

She leaned into him, a quiet sob hiccupping out of her. Her fear must have been extensive for her to accept his comfort so willingly. The Melior he knew would never be caught in such an undignified position. He ached for her as he nestled her close.

"What in heaven's name?" A high-pitched nasal voice said from the doorway.

His head shot up to see not one, but two of London's biggest busybodies staring wide eyed at the two of them. He clamored to his feet.

Mrs. Cline laid a hand on her ample chest and tutted. "She is even wearing his clothing, Elinor."

"I can see that," Lady Plum said.

Nathaniel held up his hands in front of him. "It is not as it seems. Miss Kendall tore her dress and I offered my coat until she could find her maid to fix it."

"When you are in a room full of unoccupied garments?" Lady Plum shook her head. "You do not expect us to believe that, do you, Sir Nathaniel?"

"No excuse will do for such wanton behavior, sir." Mrs. Cline pointed a chubby finger at him. "You shall have to marry her now, you know."

Melior gasped and he opened his mouth to dispute their claim, but an older gentleman with recognizable twin grey streaks in his hair filled the doorway behind them. His eyes swept the room taking in the two matrons and then Melior's disheveled state. Then they narrowed at Nathaniel.

There was nothing else to say. "Your Grace, may I speak with you… privately?"