Page 22 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
Once she was ready for bed, Melisa turned to Miss Thorsten and asked, “Is it done, what I asked earlier of you?”
Miss Thorsten finally looked up into Melisa’s eyes and that’s when she noticed that the maid was crying. “Yes, Miss Melisa. I did what you asked. Miss Price was very thankful for the money, yet confused on why she was fired when she didn’t do anything wrong,” Miss Thorsten said as she wiped away her tears on the back of her hand.
Guilt coursed through Melisa as she looked at Miss Thorsten, not knowing what else to say. All she knew was that she needed to be more careful about what actions she would take next. Though tonight provided enough motivation for Melisa to continue moving forward with her plan to escape, she wouldn’t be able to do it if it meant ruining someone else’s life.
“Thank you, Miss Thorsten. That will be all for tonight,” Melisa said in a soft voice as she dipped her head. Miss Thorsten curtsied and quickly left the room, closing the bedchamber door securely behind her.
Melisa sighed as she blew out the last of the candles and got into bed. She felt terrible for what she’d done to Miss Price and continued to pray that the Lord would forgive her. But surely God would understand when he could very well see what type of blight she was in. No matter what, before the end of next week, she’d be far gone from town and the grasp of Lord Smithers.
~*~
Oliver was in the park the next morning and watched as Miss Melisa hurriedly came his way. He was so happy to see her and felt like he could finally breathe easier with her near. But as she came closer, he could tell that she was distraught.
“Let us go to the next park over, Mr Quinn. It appears that we’ve been discovered here,” Miss Melisa explained as she took his arm and started leading them down a path that would connect to an adjacent park.
“Tell me more, Miss Melisa. Who has discovered us?” Mr Quinn asked, becoming rather concerned.
“Last night I dined with my parents at the Duke’s home. We talked with one another, and he told me that he’d seen us kissing in the park yesterday morning. I don’t know why that vile man was here so early, but we can’t remain in the same spot any longer,” Miss Melisa said hurriedly as they crossed into the other park.
Oliver’s heart beat hard against his chest at the thought of being seen by the Duke kissing his intended. He feared what Miss Melisa might say next and if his career as a professional musician was now ruined.
“What does the Duke plan to do then?” Oliver asked, his voice a bit shaky.
“Don’t worry, Mr Quinn. The Duke is the type of man who keeps many mistresses. He explained to me that he would forgive me this one time, but that if he ever caught me again kissing another man, that he’d have me and my family killed,” Miss Melisa explained, the sob in her voice evident.
Oliver stopped them then as they walked amongst tall hedges that blocked their view from the main trail. He took his hand and tilted Miss Melisa’s face up to his. He saw tears in her eyes and could feel the trembling in her arms.
“Then why did you come, Miss Melisa? Surely the risk is now too great,” Oliver said, needing to know why she’d come to him once again when her very life hung in the balance.
“Because I needed you to know that I’m running away. I plan to leave town next week once I’ve collected enough money to fund my travels. I will not marry the Duke, and I won’t allow my parents to force me into a loveless marriage. I know all the modern languages and would be happy living in another country if it meant that I could live freely,” Miss Melisa said, shocking Oliver to the core.
“You’d really run away?” Oliver asked softly as he traced his fingers along her cheek and down her neck. “But that means I’ll never get to see you again.”
Miss Melisa gave him a small smile as she reached up and grabbed his hand, holding it tightly in hers. “Then why don’t you come with me?” she asked. “We could start a new life together. With both our talents, we are sure to find employment wherever we go.”
Oliver stared at Miss Melisa with wide eyes. He couldn’t believe that she was suggesting such a thing. It was one thing for her to avoid a terrible marriage, but could he really leave behind everything he knew? As Oliver thought about the fact that his apartment had been invaded by some unknown person, he knew that perhaps leaving town would be the best option for him. After all, he didn’t want to wind up dead like his father. And the thought of getting to be with Melisa was also something that he desired more than anything.
“It would only be proper if we were married, Miss Melisa. I wouldn’t want to leave everything behind and not have clear intentions with you. If I did agree to this, then you would have to agree to be my wife,” Oliver said, knowing that he would always do what was best for this young lady that was quickly winning over his heart.
Miss Melisa smiled brightly then as she nodded her head several times. “Yes, Mr Quinn, I’d be happy to be your wife,” she said right before she kissed him.
Oliver was so thrilled with her answer that he was surprised by her kiss. But he didn’t hesitate though as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against his body. He parted her lips with his tongue, their tongues coming together in a pleasurable dance that allowed him to taste her sweet essence. Oliver quickly desired more as his ardour rose rapidly, his member pressing painfully against his trousers. As he lowered his hands to her pleasantly plumb rear end, he squeezed her cheeks together, pulling her against his hips so she could feel just how excited he was at the idea of leaving town with her and having her for a wife.
Melisa moaned against Oliver’s mouth as she let her hands roam over his chest. Oliver was surprised when she pulled his shirt free of his trousers and allowed her hand to dip under the hem of his shirt and begin wandering over his chest. He groaned as he felt her bare hand wander over his chest, loving the way her touch sent shivers of pleasure through his body.
Oliver knew that if he didn’t end this kiss now, he’d pull her deeper into the park, amongst all the trees and foliage, and take her innocence with eagerness. But he knew that now wasn’t the time or place. He broke their kiss then as his hands came back up to her shoulders where he continued to hold her against his chest as he placed his chin on top of her head.
They stayed that way for a while as they simply panted. Miss Melisa lowered her hands from his chest and simply held onto him as though she never wanted to let go. Oliver did his best to regain his composure, wanting to feel every inch of Miss Melisa, but needing to refrain from giving into his desires.
“I’ve never felt this way towards anyone before,” Miss Melisa said softly. Oliver chuckled, a low rumble in his chest.
“I feel the same way, Miss Melisa. I’ve never even been intimate with a woman before, but I can’t deny this strong desire I have for you. I will wait till we can be together before doing that with you, though,” Oliver confessed. He leaned back so he could look down into her beautiful blue eyes. She smiled up at him, and it melted his heart, filling him with a feeling of love.
“I look forward to being together with you, Mr Quinn,” Miss Melisa said as she took a small step back from him.
“Please, call me Oliver,” he replied as he tucked back in his shirt. “After all, we are more familiar with one another now.” She laughed then, a sound as pleasing as music to his ears.
“Then you must call me just Melisa,” she replied.
