Page 21 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
After regaining her voice, she said, “I’m fine. Thank you for asking, Your Grace,” Melisa said with a dip of her head. Melisa heard him chuckle as he turned her towards the rest of the room.
“Here, let me introduce you to some of my closest acquaintances. These are people you should become used to as my wife,” the Duke explained as he tucked her hand in his arm and began to lead her about the room.
Lord Smithers introduced her to several gentlemen and their families. Melisa did her best to smile pleasantly to each person she was presented to, trying to appear pleased that she was here and attending this dinner party. But on the inside, she wished more than anything that she could simply sit off by herself instead of being forced to meet so many people. She did not care about any of them, and this parade only motivated her more to find a way to escape it all.
Melisa was even more displeased when she was introduced to the father of the young lady she’d caught in the arms of the Duke. She was appalled that the Duke would invite this young lady and her family to dine with them when he knew that Melisa had seen them together. Melisa looked at the young lady as they were introduced as she learned that her name was Genève. She despised her all the more for smiling at her like they were old friends.How could the Duke do this to me?Melisa thought as she was escorted about the room.
When Melisa had met everyone who was attending the Duke’s dinner party, the Duke led her to the far side of the room and sat with her there. Melisa felt a small relief for finally being able to sit for a moment. She only hoped that soon the Duke would leave her to be on her own.
“What do you think, my dear?” the Duke asked as he gestured to all the other families.
“I think that you know many people that my parents do not because I have never heard of these family names before,” Melisa said honestly.
“That is true. I am of higher rank than your father, putting me in different social circles. However, I’m sure you had a certain thought concerning Miss Genève?” the Duke asked with a chuckle.
Melisa looked at him now, glaring into his dark eyes. “It’s as though you are not afraid of being caught,” Melisa whispered, her anger burning within her.
“It’s not that I am not afraid. It’s more that I want you to become used to the idea of having dinner parties and inviting families that have young ladies for me to feast upon. I want you to be comfortable in our marriage and perhaps even have some fun with me in choosing my next meal,” the Duke said as he placed his hand on her knee and traced it up her thigh. Melisa quickly grabbed his hand and shook it away, feeling disgusted by his hand on her.
“I implore you to behave, my sweet Melisa. You can either fight me or join me. After all, we shall soon be married and be living with each other till death do us part. You’ll find your life filled with pleasure when we work together to feed my hunger. Perhaps you’ll even come to enjoy watching from time to time,” the Duke said, his voice growing softer as he leaned towards Melisa, his breath tickling her ear. She turned away from him as the very thought forced her to recoil.
“Come now, Melisa. Don’t be so stubborn. I could introduce you to a world of pleasure you’ve never known. You could truly come to love being my wife and the ways I could satisfy you,” the Duke whispered, placing his hand on her thigh then and causing Melisa to blush as she pushed him away.
“I am not that kind of woman,” Melisa said, not sure what she could say to this man that would convince him otherwise.
He smiled at her as he took her hand in his, tracing her knuckles with his free hand. “That is not the impression I got when I came upon such a shocking sight this morning. You looked like you thoroughly enjoyed the way that man kissed you,” the Duke said in a husky voice. Melisa looked at him, her eyes growing wide as her mouth fell open. Her heart beat hard against her chest as she remembered hearing someone coming down the trail towards them. She’d never have imagined it being Lord Smithers. Her hand started to feel sweaty in his as she waited to know what he’d say next.
“Don’t worry, my dear, your secret is safe with me. I know you are still an innocent and probably don’t know the tricky ways of men. And this one time, I’ll forgive you for succumbing to temptation. But moving forward in our relationship, I will be the only one who gets to kiss and touch you. You shall not see another man and may never take another to your bedchamber. The only cock you shall ever feel between your legs will be mine,” the Duke said sternly as they locked eyes.
Melisa regained her composure as she withdrew her hand and closed her mouth. She took a steadying breath as she focused on her next words. “If you are to have mistresses, it’s only fair that I get to take a lover. Especially once I bear you an heir, you shall have no want of me,” Melisa reasoned as she folded her hands in her lap.
The Duke laughed loudly as though Melisa had just told him a pleasant joke. She smiled in return, hoping to appease anyone that looked their way. “Oh, my dear, you are so witty. I would have never imagined you possessed such fire. I shall enjoy breaking you over time, that spirit you contain within your heart. Before long, you shall be obeying my every word, much like my servants. Not only will I feast upon your body day and night, but I will teach you to enjoy it when I take another to my bed,” the Duke said, his voice growing softer with each word so that Melisa was the only one that could hear him.
“And,” he added as he leaned closer to her. “If I ever catch you allowing another man to touch your bare skin, let alone kiss you, I will not hesitate in having you and your family killed.”
Melisa’s heart felt like it stilled as her lungs tightened against the air in them. She was completely and utterly shocked as she observed the Duke’s relaxed composure. He seemed unaffected by the threat he’d just given her and seemed to enjoy her shocked reaction. Melisa had to tell her body to breathe as she took in several shaky breaths, feeling as though she was going to faint.
“I need something to drink,” Melisa said as she started to take deeper breaths. Lord Smithers motioned towards one of his servants who were quick to move towards him.
“I need two fingers of brandy for Miss Melisa,” the Duke ordered. The servant didn’t say a word as he moved quickly to act out his master’s wishes. When he returned, he handed the drink to Melisa, and she quickly downed the contents even though it burned her throat.
“That should do the trick, my dear. I know it’s all a lot to take in, but please let me reassure you that you will live a wonderful life as my wife. You shall live in this gorgeous house with every fine thing you could want. As Duchess, you’ll have every woman and young lady dying to be your friend. You’ll be an influential woman of society and may throw every dinner party and ball that you desire,” the Duke said, trying to reassure Melisa. She was simply thankful for the quick effect the liquor had on her system, allowing her to finally relax.
Melisa looked up at the Duke as she stood, wanting to regain her parents who stood on the opposite side of the room, watching the couple closely. “Lord Smithers, you’re certainly a monster if you think I would consider this arrangement as wonderful. You’ll excuse me while I reconnect with my parents. I’m dying to know if they are enjoying themselves,” Melisa said with every bit of sarcasm she could muster. The Duke simply laughed at Melisa again, forcing her to smile kindly as she curtsied to the man before crossing the room.
As she moved from one side of the drawing room to another, she held her head up high. She wasn’t sure how many in this room were aware of the Duke’s dark nature, besides Miss Genève, of course, but she wouldn’t allow what the Duke said to her to truly cause her harm. After all, she had a plan in place to escape this marriage before it could be official. Melisa had every bit of motivation she needed to see her plan through. No matter what came next, she’d make sure that she was far from town before her expected wedding day.
Chapter 13
During the carriage ride back to the townhouse, Melisa remained silent. She’d spoken little the rest of the evening, only responding when her mother commented on one thing or another. Melisa didn’t speak at all during the dinner and would often catch the Duke winking at Miss Genève before giving her a pointed look. It all made Melisa feel rather sick, and she yearned for the comfort of her own bedchamber.
“My dear, you must be exhausted from all of this commotion. But don’t worry you’ll become used to it after a time. I certainly bloomed when I was first married,” Lady Stanton said as they returned to their home.
Melisa simply gave her parents a small smile as she bid them goodnight, taking the stairs as her parents went towards the sitting room for a nightcap. She had no intentions of staying up later with them and quickly found the solitude of her own room.
Taking a large, deep breath, Melisa crossed the room and pulled the servants’ cord, wanting to get out of her gown as quickly as she could. She pulled off her slippers by the time Miss Thorsten arrived in the room.
“Good evening, Miss Melisa,” Miss Thorsten said in a sombre voice as she came into the room and closed the door. Next, she was quick to assist Melisa in getting out of her gown and readying for bed. They didn’t speak, but Melisa watched Miss Thorsten closely, noticing how the woman didn’t look up into her eyes.
