Page 26 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
“Picking the next melody, my dear?” came the Duke’s voice from right behind Melisa, causing her to jump right before she turned to him. He smiled keenly at her as though he enjoyed startling her.
“Yes, Your Grace. I hope the tune suits you,” Melisa said with a dip of her head. She went to walk back over to her parents when the Duke quickly spoke up.
“Don’t I know this musician,” the Duke said with a grin.
Melisa’s heart began to beat rapidly in her chest as she hoped that the Duke didn’t recognize Oliver from the park. “Yes, Your Grace. He was employed by my father for our engagement ball. You must recognize him from there,” Melisa spoke up as Oliver continued to play.
“I see. That must be why he is so familiar,” the Duke said as he winked at Melisa. She was sure that the Duke recognized Oliver then as the man placed her hand in the crook of his arm and led her away from the piano but kept her at a distance from anyone else.
“What do you think of her, my dear?” the Duke asked as he gestured towards the young lady whom he’d been speaking with earlier. She appeared younger than Melisa, which startled her since the Duke was almost twice her age.
“I think she is rather young, Your Grace,” Melisa said honestly, feeling even more disgusted by the man.
“Indeed, she is, my dear. I shall enjoy pursuing such fresh meat. Her father there is the Duke of Pinkerton. I will surely find an easy way to seduce the young lady,” the Duke said with a low rumble in his chest. Melisa felt dirty simply having her hand on the Duke’s arm and was thankful she’d thought of wearing gloves this evening. Deep down, Melisa wished there was some way she could warn the young lady, and perhaps even her father. Then, they were joined by Melisa’s parents and Magistrate O’Reilly.
“Thank you again, Lord Smithers, for joining me this evening,” Magistrate O’Reilly said with a bow. The Duke dipped his head in return as he gave the man a grand smile. The very sight gave Melisa the sensation to step away from the Duke.
“It is a pleasure, I assure you. And with our wedding nearing, I look for any opportunity to get to spend time with my Melisa. So, I appreciate the opportunity to get to dine with her tonight,” the Duke said lovingly, no doubt doing his best to convince her parents that he would be a thoughtful husband.
“What a wonderful couple,” the magistrate said then as he turned his attention to Lord Stanton. “I appreciate the reference you gave Mr Quinn, Lord Stanton.”
Lord Stanton looked puzzled as he considered the magistrate, no doubt trying to remember who Mr Quinn was. Melisa was quick to speak up then as she said, “Indeed, Magistrate O’Reilly. Mr Quinn is an excellent pianist. My father only selects the finest musicians for our parties and balls. It is no surprise that you hired Mr Quinn to play tonight after learning how fine he plays. Isn’t it true, Father, that you did say that the musicians you’d hired would be the talk of town after the engagement ball.”
Lord Stanton chuckled as he nodded his head in agreement. “Right you are, my dear. I do remember saying such a thing on the way to the ball. The music that night was so wonderful. Indeed, Mr Quinn is a fine pianist. I’m glad I could be of service to you, Magistrate O’Reilly,” Lord Stanton said as they all took a moment to listen to the song being played. Melisa recognized it as the romantic piece she’d picked. She stood amongst the small group and watched Oliver play with such passion that her heart melted for him all over again. She smiled knowing that in a few days they’d be together for the rest of their lives, and that one day soon after that, they’d be married.
“Very well. I suppose it’s time to go on to dinner,” Magistrate O’Reilly said as he started to lead the procession to the dining room. But the Duke held Melisa back, waiting till they were alone.
“I see the way you look at him,” Lord Smithers said as he tightened his grip on Melisa’s hand, causing her pain. She tried not to show it but feared being hurt.
“I don’t know what you speak of, Your Grace. But let us not be sought after,” Melisa said as she tried to pull her hand from the man. He didn’t let go though as he led her into the dining room and sat her next to him.
Melisa rubbed her sore hand under the table as she kept a simple smile on her face. She focused more on the food than the conversation, pleased that no one brought her into the conversation as the dinner progressed. Melisa had to admit that the food was rather wonderful coming from a home of a man who had no high status in society. She knew that it would benefit her to enjoy these small comforts while she could. Melisa reasoned that the ship wouldn’t be serving such finery at sea.
Melisa felt like she could breathe easier once dinner was completed and the gentlemen took to the parlour for their evening port while the ladies were allowed to return to the drawing room. Melisa took to a settee close to the piano where she could listen to Oliver play. Her mother had sat down with the Duchess and began to eagerly talk to her, and Melisa was then surprised when the daughter of the Duke came to sit next to her. By the young lady’s expression, she knew that this conversation wasn’t going to be pleasant.
“How is it that a young lady such as yourself, a daughter of an Earl, no doubt, could win over Lord Smither’s heart? I am a daughter of a Duke and would be more fitted for the man,” the young lady said. Melisa was surprised by such bold words, but knowing she would soon be leaving all of England behind her, she did not fear her own or what others would say of them. Soon she wouldn’t be around to hear the gossip.
“I think my fiancé is quite taken with you, in fact,” Melisa replied, catching the young lady off guard. She looked surprised then as Melisa continued to speak, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Lord Smithers started frequenting your home to call upon your father and seek to dine with your family.”
“But…why would Lord Smithers do such a thing? Do you really think he’d choose me over you?” the lady asked, her voice full of eagerness.
“No, my dear. He will still wed me, no matter how much I loathe the idea. But he will still seek you out and do his best to steal your innocence,” Melisa said plainly, causing the young lady to gasp in shock. “It is better you learn now what type of man the Duke really is and the fact that he currently has his eyes set on you.”
“You are just saying these things to spite me, Miss Stanton,” the young lady replied as she held up her chin to Melisa. But Melisa just shrugged her shoulders in return, knowing the gesture was very unladylike.
“Believe what you like. I just hope one day you’ll remember my words when Lord Smithers pays your father a visit,” Melisa replied. The young lady left her then, joining her mother and Lady Stanton. It gave Melisa a moment of peace, and eventually, she allowed her eyes to wander.
When she looked towards the piano, she was happy to see Oliver watching her. He winked at her, and she smiled softly, not wanting to draw anyone’s attention to what she was smiling at. And though their locked gazes were only for a moment, it was long enough for Melisa to feel comforted. Now all she had to do was endure the next few days and then she would be free to live the rest of her life with the man she was quickly falling in love with.
Chapter 16
“Are ye out of your mind?” Morgan asked as he sat with Oliver in a tavern, enjoying an afternoon meal on Monday. Oliver had just told his friend his plans, and now he was faced with a very angry Irishman.
“No, Morgan. I am quite sane. But I wanted you to know before I just vanished,” Oliver said as he sloshed around the ale in his cup, feeling a bit sheepish to have angered his best friend.
“So, that’s it? We’ve been together for years and you’re just going to up and leave because a lady gets cold feet upon her wedding day? What if her intended hunts her down and drags her back to England?” Morgan bellowed, causing Oliver to fear that they’d create attention from the other patrons.
“Morgan, please. Calm yourself,” Oliver urged as he watched Morgan drain his cup. “And I won’t let that happen to her. I will keep her safe from that monster.”
