Page 13 of A Wallflower Never Forgets
“I’ve been making a few discreet inquiries,” Rochester replied.
“Good, keep me posted on that.”
“I will. But we still need to figure out who is behind this attempt on Melanie’s life. If anything happened to her…” Rochester didn’t finish his sentence, but Jonathan felt the same way.
“Was there a gentleman whose interest was spurned by Melanie at some point?”
Rochester arched a dark brow. “Are you daft? She never had an interest in ton social events after leaving England. And now, declares she intends to write mysteries. But I’ve already mentioned that to you.” She’s always been an avid reader. Every available shelf is packed with books. The woman has a voracious appetite for knowledge. While she was in Scotland, she lived a quiet life with our mother. When our mother fell ill, Melanie was by her bedside day and night. That was when she took up writing. She’d read everything else she could get her hands on. By the time Mother died, writing had become a true passion for Melanie.”
“That is a commendable pursuit,” Jonathan said, a warmth flowing through him at the thought. He pictured her sitting at her desk gazing out an open window, her copper-colored hair glowing in the sunlight as she let her imagination take flight…
“DeLacey, did you hear what I said?” Rochester frowned.
“Apologies, my friend I was, er, contemplating my case.”
“I was just saying, I think we need to keep a close guard on Melanie.”
“Yes, I agree,” Jonathan said. “I suspect something happened after her return to London.”
“The question is, what?” Rochester said.
“That is, indeed, the question,” Jonathan said. The information about Diana didn’t sit well with him. The woman’s presence in Bath put him on edge. “Your grandmother’s birthday party is at Rock Springs Manor, which is just outside of Bath.”
“Yes. Are you still planning to attend? We leave in a few days.”
“I am. And I’m looking forward to it. It’ll give me a chance to ease back into Society, and this is a perfect opportunity. And I can also keep an eye on Melanie—that is, we can keep an eye on her.”
Rochester sat back, a shrewd gleam in his dark eyes. “Is there anything else I should know about regarding you and my sister? How did your visit to the bookshop go? Grandmother mentioned you went for tea afterward. You know, you were always my sister’s knight in shining armor—rescuing her from one calamity or another. Are you still?”
Jonathan took another sip of brandy. Luckily, he didn’t choke on it this time. He’d only just met Melanie again after many years. He hoped to spend more time with her on a different level than when she was the young girl who shimmied up trees to rescue kittens. He was interested in the woman she had become and wanted to know more but was not yet prepared to discuss that with Rochester. “I’m your best friend; I was around during many of those mishaps, I was only trying to keep her safe, as you would have done.”
“We were and are best friends. But Melanie is my little sister, and I love her. I don’t want her heart broken. So, don’t go sniffing around her unless your intentions are noble. I know your reputation…”
“That’s low, considering your reputation. Last I heard, you were keeping three mistresses,” Jonathan said, anger lacing his voice.
“This is my sister, Jonathan. This is Melanie.”
Jonathan sat in silence, grappling with Rochester’s challenge. His heart raced at the thought of Melanie, her laughter echoing in his mind, her smile lighting up his day. Everything had shifted since that moment. The moment he gazed down and beheld the face of the woman he’d saved. Captivated by her lush beauty, her rich auburn hair, her doe-brown eyes, those full rosy lips… He knew he had to be honest with his best friend; the truth was too important to ignore. “What if my intentions are honorable?” he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. “What do you think about that?”
Chapter Six
Rock Springs Manor ~ Bath, England ~ Four days later ~ December 1821
Viscount Jonathan DeLacey rode down the long driveway that would take him to the front of Rochester’s country estate. Jonathan was anxious to speak to Rochester and determined to protect Melanie. He’d spent a couple more days to follow up on the whole carriage incident, unable to leave it be. The problem was that the more time he spent investigating, the more Jonathan was convinced that Melanie had been the target and the more worried he was about her safety.
Melanie was first and foremost on his mind—just as she had been since he saved her life from the rampaging carriage on King Street in London just days ago. But his thoughts of Melanie were not solely relegated to her safety and well-being. No, his thoughts were significantly complicated by his attraction to her beauty, spirit, and heart. Holding her in his arms, recognizing who she was, he was awestruck by her beauty. Indeed, she was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He was not used to having such an immediate and all-encompassing connection to an investigation or to a woman. Melanie consumed his thoughts day and night. Spending time with her only deepened his attachment. And then his meeting with Rochester at Whites, and Rochester’s subsequent warning challenged him to tell Melanie how he felt. But he couldn’t do it. Not just yet. Not until his final assignment was completed and he uncovered the identity of Talbot’s partner in crime. And not until he was able to find who had tried to kill Melanie and why.
Reaching the manor house, Jonathan handed Phantom’s reigns over to the footman, who rushed out to greet him.
“Welcome to Rock Springs Manor, milord,” the footman said.
“Thank you.” He nodded. “I trust that my valet, Harold, arrived yesterday?”
“He did, my lord, and everything has been unpacked and settled in your room.”
“Very good. Please see that Phantom is fed and brushed down, I’d appreciate it.”
The footman nodded. “I’ll see it done.”
