Page 23 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
“So, Melisa, what do we do now?” Oliver asked as he looked around, glad to see that no one could be seen from where they hid behind the hedges.
“I’ve already started selling different things to gather as much funds as I can for the trip. I want to leave England behind me and never look back,” Melisa explained.
“There are passenger ships leaving the port next week. Thursday morning, I believe. My best friend Morgan knows all sorts of interesting facts about town because he’s a writer. One of his stories has to do with ship schedules,” Oliver said as he thought about an earlier conversation with Morgan about his latest novel.
“Thursday morning would be perfect. I can meet you Wednesday night, and then we could leave the next morning. If I give you some money, can you secure our passage?” Melisa asked as she opened up her reticule and pulled out a few notes. The amount surprised Oliver as she handed him the money.
“This will be plenty, I’m sure, Melisa,” Oliver said, loving the way her name sounded on his lips. Oliver quickly pocketed the notes in his vest, hoping to keep them secure so he could venture down to the docks and enquire about leaving Thursday morning.
“Then it is settled. I shall endure just a few more days and then we can get together somewhere far from here,” Melisa said with a wide smile, hope filling her eyes.
“Yes. I shall go down to the docks right away. Saturday night I will find a way to let you know that all has been set for our grand escape,” Oliver assured, starting to look forward to this new adventure.
“Well then, I should return. I have much to prepare. But I will see you Saturday night. You must write me a small message with your address and give it to me then. Next Wednesday night I shall appear at your location,” Melisa suggested.
“That is what I shall do then,” Oliver replied as he dipped his head. He wanted to kiss her one more time but feared keeping control over his feelings for her.
“I shall see you then,” Melisa said softly as she took a few steps back and then turned, hurrying in the other direction. As Oliver watched her leave, hope swelled in his chest. They were taking such a huge risk together that Oliver felt his life was finally taking a change for the better. Oliver wasted no time as Melisa disappeared from view. Once he was out of the park, he hailed a hackney and made straight away for the docks.
Chapter 14
Melisa could not remember a moment in her past when she’d felt this excited. In less than a week, she’d be setting sail for another country that would one day be her home. She’d finally be out from under her parents and free from the Duke. She could never imagine being happy as his wife and couldn’t wait to get as far away from him as possible.
Returning to her townhouse, she was surprised to see Mr Moses when she opened the door. Down the hallway, she could hear her parents chattering in the dining room over breakfast and quickly realized that she had been out that morning for far too long.
“Good morning, Miss Melisa. I did not realize you were out,” Mr Moses said, startled to see her coming in through the door. Melisa didn’t know what to say as she quickly tried to think of some excuse, so Mr Moses didn’t say anything to her parents.
“I was visiting my mare in the stables but didn’t want to track muck through Mama’s gardens. I was hoping to come in the front door and simply make it to my bedchamber without Papa thinking I was out riding,” Melisa said in a rushed voice. Mr Moses chuckled as he shut the front door.
“Always looking out for your parents, Miss Melisa. Very well, off you go before the master sees you,” Mr Moses said in a kind voice. Melisa let out a long breath as she dipped her head and took the stairs to the second floor. Once she was out of sight of the foyer, she quickly hurried to her bedchamber, opening the door to reveal Miss Thorsten on the other side.
“Why, good morning, Miss Melisa. I didn’t spot you down in the dining room this morning,” she said as she placed her hands on her hips. Melisa closed the door behind her before turning back to her lady-in-waiting.
“I just came in from the stables after visiting my mare, is all,” Melisa said as she sat down into a chair and started to pull off her boots.
“Let me help you, Miss,” Miss Thorsten said as she knelt before Melisa and helped her pull off her boots. “There you go. All better.” Miss Thorsten then helped Melisa into a pair of slippers, her feet feeling better already.
Miss Thorsten rose to her feet then, and Melisa watched as she hesitated. Miss Thorsten stood still for a moment before turning towards Melisa and kneeling before her again.
“Miss Melisa, please be honest with me. Why do you keep leaving so early every morning?” Miss Thorsten asked with pleading eyes.
Melisa looked at her with wide eyes, completely shocked by her maid’s forwardness. Melisa pursed her lips, unsure of whether she could trust Miss Thorsten. Perhaps if she confided in her maid, she’d have an accomplice.
“Everyone knows you can’t trust a servant to keep your secrets, Miss Thorsten,” Melisa said, trying to decide what her next course of action would be. Just speaking would prove to Miss Thorsten that she was up to something.
“But am I really just your maid, Miss Melisa? We’ve been together for five years, and I’ve never spoken a word about you to anyone,” Miss Thorsten reasoned. Melisa thought about this, wondering if she really ever did anything to warrant being told on. But on the other hand, she was certain Miss Thorsten would be fired anyway when she was discovered missing next Thursday morning.
“I don’t want to marry the Duke,” Melisa started as tears came to her eyes. Miss Thorsten grabbed her hand as she looked up at Melisa.
“Oh, I can only imagine the hell you’ve been going through, Miss Melisa. All the servants know what type of man the Duke is. He is always paying off his servants to keep closed lips about the type of woman he sleeps with. None of us can wager why your father has agreed for you to marry the man,” Miss Thorsten confessed, tears coming to her own eyes. “I don’t blame you for not wanting to marry him, Miss.”
“It’s much more than that, Miss Thorsten. I refuse to marry the Duke and will do everything in my power to avoid it,” Melisa said next, fearing that confessing her plan would lead her into trouble. But she was praying silently that she could trust her lady-in-waiting.
“What do you plan to do?” Miss Thorsten asked with wide eyes.
“I’m going to run away from England. Next week, I plan to board a ship that will take me far away from this godforsaken land,” Melisa said, looking down at where her hands were clasped by Miss Thorsten’s. They sat in silence for a moment while Melisa waited to hear what Miss Thorsten would say.
“I really wish you didn’t have to run away, but I suppose there is no other choice if you refuse to marry the Duke. Even for all the money in the world, I don’t think I could marry him, either,” Miss Thorsten said. Melisa looked at her then, a small smile on her face.
