Page 57 of Rescued from Betrayal
And then she had gone above and beyond by offering her own warm accommodations. That had to have taken a lot of courage, especially when it was so obvious she was frightened of what allowing him into her bed might entail. And yet she had done it of her own free will because she was concerned for him.
Shewas concerned for him!
If that did not show a generous heart, he did not know what else could. He had not been near as considerate of her needs as she had of his. And yet he had consideredherthe selfish one.
He shook his head. Words from his past added further fuel to his self-recrimination.
“People are like the ocean. Some days they are clear and blue. It is easy to see what lies below the surface on those good days. But other days they are murky, hiding their treasures… and their dangers. Usually it happens because they have some sort of disturbance in their life that you and I cannot see. So remember to look deeper. It may take time, son, but I promise if you are patient, you will not regret giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
His father had been speaking of Mary at a time in their youth when she had been particularly hard to get along with, but the advice still applied to so many of the situations Nathaniel had found himself in over the years. Yet he’d completely disregarded it where Melior was concerned.
He had witnessed firsthand the turbulence in the Kendall home, her mother’s constant demands on Melior’s behavior, not even considering how that kind of restriction would shape her. His Grace had, though. He’d known well.
It was time to put into practice the promises he’d made to the duke. Today was a new day, and Nathaniel planned to make it a good one. It might take some doing, but he would see to it that Melior had one of the best days she’d ever had.
His valet entered and half an hour later, freshly shaved and appropriately clad, Nathaniel descended to the breakfast room, excited to unveil what he had planned for Melior and the others.
When he entered, however, he was met with a sight that brought his plans to a swift halt. John sat with the others, sketch paper near at hand. Nathaniel sighed. He’d forgotten they were to sit for another drawing this morning.
Someone came up beside him and he turned to see Melior, a shy smile on her face. Suddenly John’s presence did not seem so burdensome. He’d get to sit with Melior after all, and with thechange in her demeanor, and perhaps his own thinking, it did not seem like an ill use of a morning.
Chapter 20
Melior rubbed a hand over her tan dress, smoothing the fabric. She’d forgotten they were to sit for another drawing this morning. Perhaps her maid’s lack of attention to her duties had saved her from appearing rude to Lord Newhurst.
“Very nice.” Lord Newhurst moved to Nathaniel. “And you sit just there.” He directed his friend to the other side of the small bench. “Now turn and look at one another.”
They did as he instructed, their knees bumping into each other as they turned. Melior giggled as Nathaniel offered his apologies.
“I believe we are both at fault,” she said softly.
“Even so, as a gentleman I should take responsibility when I accidentally assault a lady,” he said equally as quietly.
“Lady Stanford, place both your hands in your lap and clasp them,” Lord Newhurst called out from where he sat several yards away. “Yes, very good. Now, Nate, place your right hand on her cheek.”
Nathaniel turned to look at his friend, eyebrows raised.
“No, not at me,” Lord Newhurst said, exasperation coloring his voice. “At her.”
Melior smiled as Nathaniel shook his head, then slowly placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb sweeping gently back and forth a few times before it settled. His eyes searched hers and Melior’s smile slipped.
Even though slightly blurred, she did not miss the intensity in his gaze as it burrowed into her. She swallowed hard, feeling like there was a lump in her throat. With each minute they quietly peered at one another, Melior’s heart beat a little faster, her chest expanding more with each deliberate breath. What had changed between them?
The hesitation she’d once felt was gone.
Did Nathaniel feel the same? Perhaps. Why else would he be so attentive?
It must be a trick of the light, or a misguided remnant of her lack of sleep. That must be it. She was imagining the look.
“Dear me,” Eddie said from the door. “That adoring gaze is too unsettling for my blood. How can you stand to look at them being all lovey like that, John?”
Melior and Nathaniel chuckled and broke eye contact.
“Now look at what you have done.” If a look could shoot daggers, Melior was sure Lord Newhurst’s was doing just that, for he peered at Eddie as if he wanted to wring his neck. “Do you know how hard it will be to get them situated exactly how I had them?”
“Oh it cannot be that difficult. Nate, Mel, carry on.”
Melior snickered. They tried to return to the same position but neither one could keep a straight face with Eddie calling out instructions on how he thought they’d appeared when he entered the room.
