Page 40 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
Melisa looked at her father, completely in disbelief as the drawing room door was opened. The Davone family quickly came into the room, Oliver moving around them to reach Melisa. She could tell that he was clearly worried about her. Melisa stood with her father as she faced the group.
“Signore and Signora Davone, may I introduce you to my father, Lord Stanton, Earl of Wellington,” Melisa announced. The two gentlemen exchanged nods as the footman returned with a tea tray. The group settled into the room as Melisa continued her introduction.“Father, Signore and Signora Davone have employed my husband and me as tutors for their daughters. We’ve been here since we departed England.”
Lord Stanton smiled proudly at the Davone family as he said, “You were always a bright student, my dear. I am not surprised that such a lovely family would find your expertise of use.”
Melisa smiled at her father before exchanging glances with Oliver. She reached out and grabbed his hand as she could see the worry in his brown eyes. As she looked towards Signore Davone, she could tell that her employer was very curious about this whole matter.
“Forgive me, Lord Stanton. We were not expecting your arrival. I hope that you will consider staying with us during your time here in Italy. We are pleased to have your daughter as our governess, and I feel that my daughters have benefited from her formal education,” Signore Davone said, never ceasing to surprise Melisa by the kindness of this gentleman.
“Thank you, Signore Davone. I gladly accept your invitation,” Lord Stanton replied, causing Melisa to smirk at her father’s horrible Italian pronunciation.
“Well then, let us enjoy the afternoon meal together,” Signora Davone spoke up, signalling the servicemen to start serving everyone in the drawing room.
“This is rather casual,” Lord Stanton said with a happy smile as he was served a plate of cold meat and cheese.
Melisa chuckled as she regarded her father. “It is very different here, Father. Life seems to be simpler without the ruling of queens and kings. Signore Davone is Lord over a vast amount of land and is a kind ruler of many. There is no society here to win over besides those you work with,” Melisa explained.
“Reminds me of when we lived in the country,” Lord Stanton said between bites of food. Melisa watched as her father ate rather ravenously, as though he hadn’t eaten in a while. It only caused Melisa to worry more about his current condition.
For a while, the conversation revolved around the happenings of Italy, the fact that Melisa was expecting, and the weather currently in England. But after a time, the Davone family excused themselves, allowing Melisa and Oliver a moment to speak with Lord Stanton privately.
“Mr Quinn, I’ve looked forward to speaking with you ever since I learned about Melisa’s location,” Lord Stanton said once they were alone.
“And why is that, sir?” Oliver asked, seeming to be quite sceptical.
“Because not only did Magistrate O’Reilly use his connections to locate Melisa and who she’d been staying with, but also a great deal about your father and family,” Lord Stanton said. “You see, your father wasn’t a common fellow. He was actually the Earl of Prescott and had been assumed dead after surviving in the Napoleon War. But it seems he returned to England under a different name and married your mother.”
“How can this be, Lord Stanton? My father never mentioned any of this before,” Oliver said in disbelief.
“It seems that the Prescott estate was never passed on to another because your father was never found dead or alive. But it seems his brother, also Mr Oliver Quinn, found out that your father was still alive and killed the man, hoping to inherit the title and fortune,” Lord Stanton explained. Oliver gasped as he clasped a hand over his mouth.
“I can’t believe it. I fear I may know the fellow you are referring to. Once, I had happened into Luthiers and met a man named Oliver as well. He looked to be a very greedy fellow who had no issue flaunting his wealth,” Oliver admitted, causing Melisa to remember the conversation she’d had with Oliver over the previous situation.
“Was he not the man that said he thought your father had a large fortune that no one knew about?” Melisa spoke up, remembering a few details.
“Indeed, that was the very same man with many rings on his fingers. Are you saying, Lord Stanton that the man is actually my uncle and has been discovered as the person who murdered my father?” Oliver asked then.
“That is correct, Mr Quinn. It seems your uncle has tried for many years to claim the title of Earl of Prescott, but without a death certificate, he’d been unable. And once he produced one, it was easy for the magistrate to put the puzzle pieces together with the help of Constable Williams,” Lord Stanton confirmed, causing both Melisa and Oliver to be completely overcome with the news.
“So,” Oliver said after a few minutes of silence, “does this mean that I’m actually an Earl?”
Melisa watched as a broad smile crossed her father’s face. “Indeed, Lord Quinn. You are the rightful heir to the Prescott estate. And since you two are already married, that means you, my dear, are Lady Quinn,” Lord Stanton said with much enthusiasm.
Melisa and Oliver looked at each other then, Melisa not knowing how to handle the news. They’d come to live so happily in Italy that she wasn’t sure how Oliver would react to being of a prestigious family. It brought her more fear than comfort.
“It seems we have much to discuss then,” Oliver said as he squeezed Melisa’s hand tightly. She could only nod as she turned back to her father.
“I think it would be well if you got some rest, Father,” Melisa suggested. “I remember well how tiresome the journey from England is. You must be in want of some rest.”
“Now that I am here, I don’t know if I can sleep a wink. I’ve looked forward to this moment for so long that it’s still hard to believe that I’ve finally found you. Granted, Magistrate O’Reilly was the one who discovered that you’d left on the same ship arranged by the Davone family. And after I got a copy of the records of the passengers upon the ship, it was only a matter of time before I learned of what had come of you,” Lord Stanton said, his voice full of happiness and joy. Melisa couldn’t help smiling at her father, even though she dreaded what he now expected of her.
“So, Father, now that you are here, what do you plan to do?” Melisa asked carefully, not wanting to offend her father after all he’d done just to get here.
“First, I shall like to spend some time with my daughter and my son-in-law,” Lord Stanton said. “I want to know how you have been all this time. And I shall be willing to answer any of Lord Quinn’s questions about the Prescott estate. I have all manner of documentation with me.”
“I shall appreciate your advice, Lord Stanton,” Oliver said honestly. Melisa nodded her head, thinking that it would be good to have her father with her to understand what would be expected of Oliver in order to gain this title. Though, that was a matter of whether or not Oliver did want the title.
There was much for Melisa to determine, but for now, she enjoyed her father’s company unlike any time previously. To her, it was as though she was living in a dream.
