Page 18 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
Though he’d returned home late after performing at another dinner party, Oliver rose early again, knowing that shortly he’d be able to see Miss Melisa. It seemed to be the best part of his day to rise early and get to spend a few moments with the young lady. She was not only beautiful, but highly intelligent. And the fact that she was taking time out of her day to see him, without an escort to add, it showed Oliver that Miss Melisa was also kind-hearted.
“If only I could find a wife like Miss Melisa,” Oliver said out loud as he readied himself, dressing in casual trousers, a muslin shirt, and leather vest. Though the clothes weren’t as fine as his performing outfit, these were probably the best clothes he had in comparison. He wanted to look good for Miss Melisa since she was accustomed to wealth and being around finery all the time.
Once he was prepared, Oliver left the apartment, locking the door behind him before descending the stairs and stepping out onto the street. Oliver took a deep breath of fresh air before joining the foot traffic as the workers left their homes to go work for their employers. He wouldn’t have another performance till the dinner party at the magistrate’s, so he had a few days of leisure.
While Oliver was walking, he bumped into a man, their shoulders colliding as they stumbled apart. “Please forgive me,” Oliver quickly said as he turned and steadied the fellow, surprised to see the ringed man from Luthiers once more.
The man simply smiled up at him as he said, “No problem at all, my dear boy. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” He tipped his hat to Oliver, his rings shining in the morning sun, as he turned and continued walking on his way. Oliver was surprised to have seen the man, especially in this part of town, but he tried not to dwell on it since he still needed to cross town to reach the park.
Hailing a carriage for hire, Oliver give the driver instructions before climbing up into the small carriage fit for two. He wanted to get to the park early again, earlier than anyone in the part of town would be awake, besides him and Miss Melisa. He couldn’t help smiling as excitement stole through him. He wondered what they’d speak of today, and if Miss Melisa had any success with her idea yesterday morning about the dinner party that would happen Saturday.
As the carriage reached the park, Oliver alighted the carriage and quickly paid the driver, hoping the man would depart quickly so he wouldn’t be noticed by anyone.He entered the park, taking the trail that would lead him to their bench. The very idea filled him with warmth. And though he knew that meeting Miss Melisa each morning was a huge risk, he couldn’t deny the great pleasure it filled him with. And after being so saddened by the sudden passing of his father, Oliver was willing to take this risk if it meant that he could have some small comfort in the world. After all, soon she’d be married, and their time together would be gone.
When Oliver rounded the bend that opened up to a small clearing where their bench rested, he was extremely surprised to see Miss Melisa already there. He smiled brightly as he crossed the remaining distance as she stood and did her best to smooth her walking gown. Oliver could see that it was clearly wrinkled.
“You must think I’m a complete mess,” Melisa said as a blush came to her face. She tucked her hair behind her ears as her eyes drifted to the ground.
“I think you are beautiful as ever, Miss Melisa. But I can only assume there is a story that goes with this attire,” Oliver said as he gestured to her simple gown.
“Indeed, Mr Quinn,” Melisa said as she sat down again. Oliver joined her, enjoying being close to her again. “I fear that my lady-in-waiting has become suspicious of my morning walks. She was the one that almost discovered us yesterday morning. So, I knew that today I must arrive even earlier. Therefore, I slept in my clothes last night so that all I had to do was wake and leave before anyone noticed.”
Oliver chuckled lightly as he observed her. “You are rather intelligent, Miss Melisa. Very cunning and clever, indeed,” he said. She smiled up at him as though she was rather proud of her accomplishment. For a lady of her status, it was quite the unusual thing to do. He was intrigued by her even more.
“Thank you, Mr Quinn. I feel I must be clever in order to find my own happiness in life,” Miss Melisa said as she diverted her eyes from Oliver. He could hear the sadness in her words like recognizing a grim tune being played in the distance. He wished he could take her sadness away with a single thought, as easily as playing a song from memory.
“But I have secured dinner arrangements for this Saturday night,” Miss Melisa added as she looked back up at Oliver, their eyes locking once more. Every time Oliver looked into her bright blue eyes, he wanted to reach down and cup her face in his hands and press his lips to hers. But he refrained from doing so, instead smiling down at her. “I shall be at the dinner party at the magistrate’s home and shall do everything in my power to avoid us being found out.”
“Thank you, Miss Melisa, for going through all of the trouble. I will forever be in your debt,” Oliver said genuinely.
“These little visits are thanks enough, Mr Quinn,” she said. “I’ve come to look forward to them, knowing that this short time together gives me more joy than any other part of my day. In fact, tonight my family and I will be dining with the Duke, and the thought alone causes me to feel ill.”
Oliver felt bold and reached out his hand, taking hers in his. “I know how you feel,” Oliver said, watching a blush come over her cheeks. “Ever since my father was murdered, all I’ve felt is pain. But when I’m with you, despite all the risks of our meeting, I am left feeling more joy than I ever thought I’d feel at this time. I’m truly grateful to have met you, and though I know you’re an engaged woman, I will always treasure this time together.”
Oliver felt shy for admitting his feelings as he looked away from her, fearing that she’d find him rather silly. But he was surprised when he felt her soft lips plant a tender kiss on his cheek. He turned suddenly, their faces rather close together, so much so that he could feel her breath on his lips. Oliver didn’t hesitate then as he pressed his lips to hers, feeling the heat on her lips as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
When she didn’t pull back or try to break the kiss, Oliver pulled her close to his body, separating her lips with his tongue as he sought to taste her. The pain of losing his father had been so great that he greedily sought to overcome that pain with the pleasure of supping on Miss Melisa’s sweet kisses. She laced her fingers through his hair, the sensation so pleasurable that his ardour quickly rose.
Oliver’s free hand started to roam then as he felt the side of her face, the soft skin like lace as he trailed his fingers down, feeling her neck and then down to her décolleté. Miss Melisa moaned against his mouth as he felt the top of her bosom, the skin like silk. Never before did Oliver ever want of a woman like he did Miss Melisa at that moment, even willing to take her innocence right there and then in the park.
Suddenly, the sound of footfall was heard down the trail. They quickly separated and started to smooth down their hair and clothes, hoping that if they were to be discovered, at least it wouldn’t be obvious what they had been doing. But as Oliver’s breathing started to normalize, he could no longer hear anyone walking their way.
“Forgive me for being so bold, Miss Melisa,” Oliver said softly, his cheeks still blushing.
“It is I who kissed you first, Mr Quinn,” Miss Melisa said sweetly, causing Oliver to look towards her once more. “And I would do it all over again if given the chance.”
Never before had Oliver felt this way towards a young lady. And it hurt his heart to think that soon she’d be married to another. “We really should go before we are discovered in a comprisable position,” Oliver said as he stood. “But I agree with what you said, Miss Melisa. I have no regrets.”
Her grand smile then was like a beam of shining light that pierced his very soul. He wanted to gather Miss Melisa in his arms again and kiss her like the world didn’t matter, and that they were just a man and a woman who enjoyed being together. But instead, he took a step back, fearing he’d lose control.
“Till tomorrow, Mr Quinn,” Miss Melisa said as she dipped her head and turned from him, moving quickly down the trail. For a moment, he watched after her, wishing their time together hadn’t come to an end just yet. But he knew that if they hadn’t heard that sound of someone else in the park, he’d surely have taken her right in this spot.
Oliver took several deep breaths as he turned and walked in the opposite direction. His blood still raced with excitement, and his ardour was still quite noticeable. He even had to wait a few moments to allow his body to calm down before he left the trail and stepped out onto the main path before leaving the park. But no matter what happened next in his life, he’d always remember the moment when he got to kiss the most beautiful young lady he’d ever seen.
~*~
For the rest of the day, Melisa felt as though she was light as a feather. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she took to the gardens when she returned home well before anyone was awake. She walked for what seemed hours, thinking only of the first kiss she’d experienced with Mr Quinn. At first, she felt rather forward when she’d placed a soft kiss on his cheek, simply hoping to comfort him. But when he returned her kiss, he’d also filled her with more passion than she could ever imagine was possible. Something deep within her had stirred, making her feel reckless and wanting more of whatever Mr Quinn could offer her. And though she expected never to experience such a thing again, in this time alone in the garden, she would hold onto these feelings as long as she could.
“Good morning, Miss Melisa,” Miss Thorsten called from the back door, clearly flustered. Melisa crossed the gardens till she reached her lady-in-waiting.
