Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

M eliah wanted to tell him that she appreciated his candor, but the fact he had taken her to his father's hunting box with the sole purpose of seduction made her wonder if the words he spoke now could hold true. For a man with such an unsavory background as Elwood had lived, could it be possible for him to know anything other than deceit?

This entire endeavor had been foolish. She should have never thought she could take on a man like Lord Belmont. She had been na?ve in the extreme to think otherwise. And to believe she had the talent to compare to someone like "The Belle." It was another folly she must regrettably face. It would be best if she ended things now before any more damage could occur and return home, confide to her parents what she'd done while praying that they would forgive her reprehensible actions.

"You need to take me back to the village."

He released his breath and she could hear the relief as he did so. His hands dropped back to his sides. "I would gladly let you talk to anyone you?—"

"I wish to secure passage back to London."

He had been about to release the brake, but at her statement, he paused. "What?"

She dared to lift her gaze to his and tried to look past the sudden flash in his blue eyes. "You heard me."

It took a moment for him to recover. "You won't even consider my proposition?"

She softened her tone slightly. "I appreciate your honesty, but committing to something that dangerous is a bit… more than I am willing to agree to right now." She glanced down at her lap. "Besides, it's likely for the best that this association ends between us now before things get completely out of hand."

"Association?" he laughed with a bitter tone. "Is that all you believe us to be?"

"It doesn't matter what I believe," she snapped in return. For a moment, their gazes clashed. "Since you were so open with me, allow me to be the same. You asked if something was bothering me this morning and I realized I was staring at a plate of ham and eggs."

When she paused, she could tell he didn't follow.

"That is a luxury that not many people in my world dare to hope for," she explained softly. "The truth is we are nothing alike. I might wish for something different, but it shall never be. I need to accept that, just as you are an earl and are expected to do your duty to your family and your line with someone who properly fills that role. Commoners and the peerage don't mix, unless it is during a special event where the downstairs servants must cater to the upper floors."

"Meliah—"

She held up a hand. "You cannot contradict me on this because you know it's true." He clenched his jaw mutinously, but remained silent. "That is why I'm telling you to let me go now, to send me back to London. We both know the article I meant to write was a sham. I could have never gone through with trying to destroy anyone's reputation beyond repair, should they become my worst enemy. I certainly couldn't have done it to you, and although I would like to stay, I must begin to think rationally. The fairytale has ended and I would do well to return to reality."

He regarded her for a long time, and then seemed to resign himself to her decision, "Very well." He flicked the reins and continued toward the manor. "But I refuse for you to take the mail coach when I can take you there myself."

Tears stung Meliah's eyes. The prospect of accepting his illicit offer had been entirely too tempting. The single thing that kept her from saying yes wasn't just the doubts about his sincerity, but she was afraid that when he decided he was done with her she wouldn't be able to withstand the despair of leaving him.

She was grateful when they finally reached the manor so that it might give her time to collect her thoughts, but when she noticed a coach sitting in the drive with the crest of the Marquess of Traverson emblazoned on the side, the breath froze in her lungs. It didn't help that she heard the earl mutter a curse beneath his breath. "Stay here."

As he climbed down from the curricle and tossed the reins to a waiting groom, Meliah gathered her skirts and climbed down as Lord Belmont disappeared into the manor. She wasn't certain what his father might be doing there, but neither did she intend to allow cowardice to keep her immobile.

The last thing Elwood needed was this unwanted interruption. He had told his sire that he was handling things with the sale of the hunting box, so he didn't understand the reason he was there. Not only that, but he was hoping to mend things with Meliah, to compel her to stay with him so that he might convince her not to leave.

"Ah, there you are." Elwood hesitated as his father came walking forward from the direction of the study. His voice did not sound pleased. "I was told you had gone into the village." He paused and if possible, his expression turned darker. "With some gel that you've invited to stay here."

Elwood held up a hand. "You don't understand. We?—"

"Spare me any further excuses," his father snapped. "I am well aware of your continued exploits. I was hoping that the distraction of the hunting box might have reminded you of your duty to the family, but I found it difficult to ignore the threat of scandal when you are mentioned every time I turned my back. I daresay I have been hoping you might curb some of your appetites and settle down and start a family. Now I have begun to despair you ever shall. I came here, hoping to learn that the rumors being circulated are unfounded, only to learn you are cavorting with some woman who, no doubt, has loose morals."

"It's not like that," Elwood gritted through his teeth. He was about to lose his temper, which he knew would be the wrong thing to do. Most generally, his father was right about everything, but in this case, he had missed the mark. "Miss Newton is a writer."

"Is she?" the marquess snorted, unimpressed. "There seems to be a lot of interest in that regard lately."

Elwood clenched his fists. His father had never been a cruel or unkind parent, but he could be harsh if the situation warranted it. When it came to his eldest son, he had always found it necessary to make his opinions known. "If you were hoping for a marriage announcement, I'm not certain I could live up to the glorious expectations that you and Mother share."

"There is nothing wrong with being devoted to a spouse," his father countered firmly. "So long as she is of the proper lineage. Is this woman you've been consorting with the same ilk as that actress you were so besotted with some months ago? Or perhaps she is like the mistress you recently dismissed?" He shook his head. "Some days I fear that the title was wasted on a wastrel like you."

Elwood refused to let words do much damage, but they hurt nevertheless. "Perhaps it was."

The air crackled with unbridled anger, and although Elwood and his father had never come to blows, he wondered if that day had finally arrived.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, but if I might interject?—"

Elwood and his father both swiveled their heads to the front door where Meliah stood silhouetted in the afternoon light.

"This is a family matter," his father thundered. "It doesn't concern you."

For an instant, Elwood's fists clenched. Very few people stood up to his father. He was an imposing man with his proud stature and salt-and-pepper hair, but he wasn't going to allow Meliah to absorb the brunt of his anger when it was directed at him .

Meliah walked forward as if she hadn't just been ordered to stand down, and offered a slight curtsy. "Forgive the intrusion, Lord Traverson, but Lord Belmont speaks the truth. I am a writer and I was here to write an article about him."

"Were you now?" the marquess muttered, unimpressed.

She cleared her throat, and he narrowed his gaze on her. Elwood tensed, prepared to step in if necessary. "You shall be pleased to note that Lord Belmont has been nothing but considerate during my time here."

"I'm sure of it." His father glared at him.

"You should also know that the villagers have nothing but the highest respect for him and your family." She took a deep breath. "When I arrived here, I was under the same misconception that you are now. Granted, the earl might have sowed a few wild oats before now, but I am confident that he is more than capable of making you proud. He came here with the sole purpose of abiding by your wishes. He met with the land steward just yesterday, and I believe he received a favorable report regarding the state of the modest vineyard on the grounds. And might I say they are some of the finest grapes I have ever consumed." She paused to brush at her gown and pat her hair, and Elwood found his father looking at her quite curiously, as if he wasn't quite sure what to make of the lady.

Elwood thought she was magnificent. With a few, carefully chosen words, she had managed to diffuse an otherwise, heated encounter.

"Now, if you will both excuse me, I was just about to pack my belongings and return to London. I have been away long enough, and I shouldn't wish to cause any further undue speculation."

With another curtsy, she turned and headed up the stairs.

Meliah could feel both pairs of eyes boring into her as she took her leave. She was proud of herself for adopting such a calm demeanor when her heart had been about to pound out of her chest. Her mother would have been horrified to know that she'd dared to speak so boldly to a high-ranking member of the peerage, but she couldn't just stand by and watch him berate Elwood in such a manner. For all of his faults, he had become particularly special to her.

She entered her chamber and shut the door, releasing a deep breath as she leaned against the solid oak. Closing her eyes, she told herself not to cry. Before she'd made her presence known, she had overheard what Elwood had said about his parents and living up to their expectations. His mocking tone further proved that he might never be capable of anything more than a brief affair with anyone. He claimed she was different, and yet, he spoke of love and happiness as if it was distasteful in the extreme.

Then again, it wasn't as if anything more would come of their association. The difference in their stations would never be fully overlooked by society—by anyone.

She opened her eyes and pushed away from the door, determined to leave before she was incapable of doing so and truly ruining her life beyond repair.

Glancing about the room, she made to gather a few things, but then she remembered that none of the items there were hers. Lord Belmont might have procured some of the items from the village for her use, but she considered them a temporary loan. As much as she hated the thought of donning that dreaded pink dress, she knew it was the only thing she could truly leave with, and even that wasn't hers . She had deluded herself for too long. It was time to remind herself who she was—and where she belonged.

A soft knock came at the door and she prepared herself to see the earl on the other side. When she opened it, she swallowed past the lump of regret in her throat. She realized how much she would miss him. She let her eyes roam over his face, over every hard line and virile part of him, to hold close to her heart and lock away in her memory.

He seemed to be doing the same, and when he caught sight of the dress she was wearing, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can see you are determined to go."

"I told you I was," she returned softly.

He seemed to be waging a war within himself, until he finally shut the door behind him and dragged her into his arms. "What can I do to convince you to stay? Just one more day?"

Meliah's emotions were starting to crack. She had to be strong, but he was making it almost impossible to resist him. "I can't stay here and be the sort of woman that your father accused me of being."

"Don't you dare compare yourself?—"

"If I stayed," she smoothly interjected. "There would be no difference."

Again, his face was a mix of emotions. "Damn it all." With that, he turned and yanked the door open, striding out into the hall.

Meliah watched him go until he disappeared from sight, and then she dared to head down the stairs. When she reached the foyer, she wasn't certain what she might do next. Elwood had told her he would escort her to London, but considering their current difference of opinion, she could no longer expect to rely on his good will. However, she found she didn't have to concern herself with the task, because to her surprise, the marquess was waiting for her. "I am returning to London, and I would be glad to escort you."

Now that some of her bravery had disappeared with her encounter with Lord Belmont, she found herself at a loss for words. "I couldn't ask that of you, my lord?—"

"Nonsense. I am heading back to my estate and it would be foolish to make you wait any longer to return home." He glanced past her to where Elwood had disappeared. "Unless, of course, you have another reason to remain."

She had to force herself not to turn around to see if he was there when something told her he wasn't. "No. There is nothing left for me here. I shall gratefully accept your generous offer, my lord."