Page 16 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
He looked uneasy as he shifted his weight from one foot to another. “I’d feel more comfortable if you had an escort with you, Miss Melisa. It’s one thing to take you to a friend’s than a business,” Jonathan replied.
“Don’t worry, my kind sir. You’ll be there to watch over the jewellers. You can wait outside while I just go in really quickly. I’d be happy to pay you for this special favour,” Melisa said as she retrieved a few coins from her purse and offered them to Jonathan. He smiled then as he took the coins and pocketed them.
“Thank you, Miss Melisa. I’d be happy to take you to Mr Colton’s. He’s the finest jeweller in town,” Jonathan said as he helped Melisa up into the carriage and made sure to latch the door before pulling himself up into the driver’s seat.
Melisa smiled to herself, pleased with her plan to convince Jonathan to do as she asked. Though it didn’t sit well with her to lie, it was a necessity if she was ever going to escape being married to the Duke. The further the carriage travelled away from the townhouse, the more Melisa felt she could relax. She was a lady of means, after all, and should be able to do as she pleased. If she was married already, she’d have the liberty to travel to all sorts of businesses alone. It seemed strange to Melisa that she couldn’t have the same freedoms as an engaged woman, but she put the thought out of her mind because she was determined to succeed, regardless of what society thought.
As the carriage travelled through town at an easy pace since there was so much foot traffic this time of day, Melisa’s mind turned back to Mr Quinn. It would be about the time he’d be at his father’s funeral. The thought alone caused Melisa’s eyes to water. She felt for the man, having lost someone he loved, and oh so suddenly. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to love someone and lose them by murder. It was hard for her to imagine just how Mr Quinn must be feeling. But she hoped that Magistrate O’Reilly would be of service to Mr Quinn, and that this Saturday she could avoid her father and the magistrate discussing Mr Quinn, if she could avoid it.
Melisa sighed, knowing that in a few nights she’d have to dine with the Duke if the man agreed to her father’s invitation. But like all men who lived for appearances than life itself, she knew that the Duke would come. But deep down inside, she hoped that he wouldn’t, so perhaps she could find a special moment to be alone with Mr Quinn. She smiled at the thought, wondering what dark corner they might find themselves in at the magistrate’s home. She blushed then, trying to reason with herself why she would think such a thought. After all, Mr Quinn was simply an acquaintance, perhaps a friend she might be able to rely on when she escaped her home and the unwanted marriage.
Regardless of the reason, Melisa came back to reality as the carriage stopped in front of the jewellers. She took a deep breath as she forced a smile as Jonathan opened the carriage door for her. Melisa stepped easily down from the carriage as she faced the business, holding her reticule to her chest as she carried precious things inside.
“I’ll only be a few moments, Jonathan. Then we can return to the townhouse,” Melisa said as she turned to the driver. He only nodded his head as Melisa stepped past those on the walkway and approached the shop, hoping she’d have success.
Chapter 10
The church bells rang eleven in the morning as Oliver stood on the edge of the fresh grave. Below him was a pine casket that was currently being covered with dirt as the two cemetery workers began the process of covering the box. And though the service had been completed by the priest, Oliver had a hard time leaving.
“Come, Oliver. Let us go for a bite to eat while we still have time,” Morgan said, pulling on Oliver’s coat sleeve. They’d dressed for their performance tonight, knowing that the fine clothes would be fitting for a funeral. It was only them at the cemetery that day, a small blessing that Oliver didn’t have to socialize with anyone.
However, as Oliver continued to stare down below, he couldn’t get himself to move. He feared saying goodbye to his father, that this was truly his reality. That he’d leave the cemetery and never be with his father again. Tears welled up in his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest, hugging his body to avoid breaking down.
“It’s hard to imagine he’s gone, Morgan. I just can’t come to terms with this,” Oliver confessed as he rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the tears.
“I know, Oliver. This has to be very hard for you. But you must move on and do what your father would want you to do. To live your life to the fullest and take care of yourself,” Morgan said as he rested his hand on Oliver’s shoulder.
“I feel like I know that, Morgan, but what is the point when I have no one left?” Oliver said, feeling himself fall into despair.
“That is not true, Oliver,” Morgan said, forcing Oliver to look at him as he turned his shoulders with both his hands. “You have your music, and you have your best friend.” Morgan smiled then, causing Oliver to at least smirk. “And there are plenty of pretty women in this town that I’m sure you’ll marry one day and have a dozen children,” he quickly added.
Oliver laughed as he allowed Morgan to lead him away from the grave. “A dozen, huh? That sure sounds like a lot,” Oliver said as they left the cemetery and walked towards the busier part of town where they were sure to find a push-cart or two for an easy meal.
“You’ll have so many children, you’ll have to find a big house in the country so they’ll all have room to play and grow. You’ll have an even number of girls and boys, and all of them will marry so famously that you’ll live your golden years in luxury,” Morgan continued.
Oliver couldn’t help laughing at the idea, ever thankful for Morgan being able to help him feel better. His mind turned to Miss Melisa for a moment, thinking he wouldn’t mind marrying her. The thought was so sudden it took him by surprise, causing his cheeks to blush as he realized that he was attracted to a young lady of means, and who was currently engaged.
“And you, Morgan. How many children will you have one day?” Oliver asked, hoping his friend didn’t notice the way he currently looked embarrassed.
“Oh, I reckon I shall have the same. Then we may always compete with who has the most successful children,” Morgan said with a wink, causing Oliver to laugh once more.
“Our poor wives. What a burden they will have to carry for us,” Oliver said once his mirth subsided once more. They continued to laugh together until they came upon a push-cart selling meat pies.
“To our future wives and twenty-four children,” Morgan said as he handed Oliver a meat pie. They joked and laughed together through their meal, allowing Oliver to feel optimistic about his future for once. Now, if only he could discover who’d killed his father, then he might be able to live in peace.
~*~
“Good day, Miss,” a man greeted Melisa as she stepped into the quaint jeweller’s shop. “My name is Mr Colton. Is there a certain piece you’ve come looking for? Perhaps a little something special for an upcoming ball?”
Melisa smiled kindly at the man as she quickly looked around the shop, several displays and boxes open to reveal diamond necklaces, rings of all shapes and colours, and beautiful earrings as well. In the corner stood an imposing man, no doubt employed to watch over the shop and ensure pick pocketing did not happen.
Turning her eyes back on the jeweller, Melisa said, “Actually, I’ve come to sell a few pieces.”
The man looked shocked as he began to rub his hands together. “What a surprise, my dear. I would never have assumed that a lady of your obvious stature would ever want to sell,” Mr Colton said, gesturing to her fine gown.
Melisa kept a smile on her face as she looked at the man in all seriousness. “I’ve received a few unwanted gifts from suitors I don’t really care about. It would make me feel better if I didn’t have them anymore,” Melisa said, hoping her lie would be believable.
Mr Colton simply shrugged as though he’d heard the story before as he gestured for Melisa to follow him. They left the storefront and travelled down a narrow corridor to what appeared to be an office. He pointed to a vacant chair, and Melisa sat in it with her reticule on her lap. Mr Colton went to the other side of a small table and sat himself in a chair as he withdrew an eyepiece from his coat pocket.
