Page 9 of A Wallflower Never Forgets
“And the kitten, how does he fare?”
Melanie couldn’t help but smile as she remembered Smoot’s antics that morning. “I think I know why they say cats have nine lives.” She glanced up and her eyes met his and she suddenly forgot what else she was about to say. Drat! Why does he have to be so gorgeous?
“Cats may well have nine lives, but people do not,” Jonathan said. “You would do well to remember that, Melanie.”
“While I am grateful to you for your assistance yesterday, I do not need to be scolded like a naughty child.”
“If you behave like one, that’s how you will be treated.”
“So much for my hero worship,” she mumbled under her breath.
“I beg your pardon?”
She attempted to school her features into a placid smile and make her voice the epitome of calm. “I was surprised to see that you are back in London.” She chanced a peek at him and noted his eyes continued to regard her with an intensity that she could scarcely interpret. Nevertheless, it left her feeling quite discombobulated.
“Well, you needn’t be surprised any longer. For I am here to stay.”
“You are?”
“Yes, why? Does that surprise you?”
“Er, no. I had just assumed you were set on your top-secret work.”
He grinned. “I wasn’t aware you were so interested in my occupation. Nor was I aware that you had returned from Scotland. Then again, I have not been in touch with your brother since my return. But I hope to remedy that soon.”
“I’m certain Gavin will be happy to see you. You always were two peas in a pod.” Melanie glanced to her right and noticed that Rachel had nodded off.
“How so?” he asked.
“My brother is the same as he has always been—enjoying the company of widows and breaking hearts all over England. Anything to avoid settling down.”
“And you think I am the same? A heartbreaker?”
You broke my heart. “As you know, I have been out of the country, so I haven’t been as attuned to The Town Tattler. I couldn’t say for sure.”
He gave a wry smile. “Ah. I see. I’ve been out of the country, as we’ve both acknowledged. And now, I’m back with the hope of setting down roots.”
Does that mean he plans to marry? Melanie was dying to ask, but bit her tongue, lest she find out something she’d rather not know. Or did she want to know? Four years ago, she had been surprised. Maybe she should ask. She schooled her face to appear as noncommittal as possible, as she pulled at a stray threat on her sleeve. “Does that mean you plan to marry? Or maybe I should offer you congratulations?”
He laughed. “Not so fast. I meant that I plan to stay in England and have completed my last assignment for the Crown. My father wants me to become more involved in the estate business. He and my mother intend to travel the continent, once I am in control of more of the business.”
Strangely, she felt better and glanced up at him. “So, you plan to spend more time in London?”
He gazed at her. “Yes, I do. What are your plans?”
“Gavin insisted I return to London with him for a while. Well, maybe because Lydia and Lilian had written to him, requesting that I spend time with them during the upcoming Season.” She was twenty-one, and with no prospects, Gavin found the idea had merit. Her brother’s conversation came back to her. “He never married Lady Diana Thurston,” Gavin had said out of the blue, as they pulled away from Rochester Castle. Her brother had an uncanny way of understanding her when others could not.
“I hardly care about that,” she had replied.
“It’s me, Melanie. I find your response evasive and avoids much of the actual issue. I’m your brother. I know you better than that. However, I’m not promoting a match. But I wanted to ensure you knew so his presence wouldn’t surprise you.” Truthfully, it shocked her to learn that anyone would leave Jonathan at the altar.
“I was very sorry to hear of your mother’s unexpected passing,” Jonathan said, jolting her back to the present.
She swallowed the huge lump in her throat. Her mother’s illness and subsequent passing had been a shock. “Yes, that has been difficult. However, I am slowly adjusting. My parents made provisions that will allow me access to my dowry in four more years, providing I’ve not married. I plan to use that to create a quiet life for myself.”
He leaned forward and tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. “You plan a future alone, then.”
It was more of a statement than a question. Something fluttered in her stomach and the skin on her chin heated from his touch. “I…I am not sure. As you can well imagine, I’m clearly on the shelf and eligible men are more interested in debutantes that…”
