Page 9 of Rescued from Betrayal
“Thank you,” Lord Caraway said to whatever Al had offered, “but I am engaged to dine elsewhere that evening, perhaps next Thursday.”
“That will work just as well, until next Thursday then.”
The gentlemen tipped their hats and Nathaniel got one last look at Melior’s rosy cheeks before Lord Caraway led heraway. She seemed happy. He supposed she should be with the attention of marquess squarely on her. She should be congratulated on her apparent success, but it would not be by him.
Not that Caraway was a bad sort; he simply felt sorry for the man if he offered for Melior. He’d been effectively hunted like prize game and all that was left for her was to get off the right shot. Poor man did not even know what kind of chaos he was stepping into at present with her family in such upheaval. For his sake and only his—for Nathaniel was most definitely not jealous—he hoped Lord Caraway’s interest wandered elsewhere.
Chapter 4
Melior 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 enjoysourcompany 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.”
