Page 7 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
Melisa eventually began looking around the dinner table, watching as the Duke smiled and talked with everyone around him. Her parents seemed to be in high spirits as they laughed and talked with many, her mother’s cheeks even turning pink from exertion. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as she looked up and down the table, no one seeming to notice her. Even the other young lady seated next to her didn’t bother to turn to her or try to start any conversation. It seemed that even though this was her engagement party, she was still as invisible as ever.
As Melisa looked back down at her plate, her mind moved to other things. She then thought of Mr Quinn the pianist, the passion that moved through his body as he played the instrument with ease and efficacy. She’d never seen such a handsome man before and knew that Mr Quinn actually cared about his work. The music he played was both beautiful to hear and enjoyable to watch as his fingers nimbly moved across the keys. She smiled faintly, remembering the way their eyes had met as she’d danced with another.She could imagine dancing all night if he was the one creating the music.
Melisa took a sip of her wine as she thought about having a lover if the Duke was going to be keeping mistresses. Certainly, she’d have access to a great fortune that would pay anyone for their discretion. She could spend all her ideal time with Mr Quinn, paying him to play the piano for her, and when she wanted intimate company, she could tempt him with her money.
She shook her head as she set her wine glass back on the table, forcing herself to eat a few bites of food.No, she thought,I could never do that to someone without being able to be their lawful wife. She wondered what she would do then as a Duchess with all the money in the world but no passion or love in life. Surely there were good causes she could volunteer for to fill her life with purpose. But could she really live a whole life without love? Could she bear children of a man she wanted nothing to do with?
Melisa was soon filled with despair as she thought about her future. She’d received a good idea of it tonight as she watched the Duke kiss another and then act so normally afterwards. He seemed to be the life of the ball as he talked and smiled to everyone, making them all think he was someone he was not. Perhaps this was the reality that the Duke had hinted to as he said that not all things were as they seemed.
When the meal came to an end, the gentlemen were led to a parlour where they could enjoy their evening port while the ladies returned to the ballroom to await their return. The Duke led the gentlemen away as Melisa returned to the ballroom, finding a secluded place where she could sit and simply be alone. She took to a settee close to where the musicians were grouped, waiting for the next song to be signalled for.
Melisa took several breaths as the ladies all sat around the ballroom with their friends and family, talking and laughing like this was another normal evening. No one approached her, and she found that suitable since she didn’t know what she’d even want to talk about. Once in a while, she’d notice the young lady she’d found in the Duke’s arms looking her way, but she didn’t seem affected by being discovered. It made her think that this wasn’t the first time that the Duke had taken this young lady away from society’s eye to ravish her.
Eventually, Melisa looked towards the musicians, searching through them till she spotted Mr Quinn. He was talking quietly with the other musicians, occasionally smiling slightly. She wasn’t prepared as he looked around the room and spotted her, their eyes locking again as they stared at each other. Melisa felt drawn to this man for some reason. Perhaps it was because she was so terribly lonely and this was the first man who’d ever spoken to her so easily. It could also be the fact that she found him terribly handsome, and even secretly wished that Mr Quinn was the Duke. Then she’d be thrilled to marry someone like him.
“There you are, my dear. I didn’t expect to find you way over here by yourself,” Lady Stanton said as she approached her daughter, sitting next to her on the settee as she embraced her.
Melisa was surprised by the show of affection but could quickly smell the strong scent of wine on her breath. It seemed that her mother had drunk a little too much this evening and was now being overly friendly.
“I find it relaxing to sit and simply watch, Mother,” Melisa replied as she moved away from her.
Lady Stanton laughed as she patted her daughter on the knee. “That is so good of you, my dear. Simply waiting for your knight in shining armour to return and whisk you around the dance floor. Don’t worry, my dear, the Duke will return shortly with the other gentlemen, and you can reassume dancing with him. You must be thrilled so to be marrying him in a fortnight,” Lady Stanton rambled as she gestured to the room. It was as though she was speaking to everyone instead of just Melisa. But no one seemed to be paying her any attention, either. Melisa wondered if she simply had that effect on people since she wasn’t used to social outings.
“Mother, have you ever taken a lover?” Melisa asked, shocking her mother into silence.
“Why would you ask such a thing?” she whispered harshly as she leaned close to her. “What makes you think I would?”
For a moment, Melisa wondered if her mother had, but really that wasn’t what was important to her. “If the Duke is able to have mistresses, then shouldn’t I take a lover?” Melisa asked, knowing her mother was too drunk to remember her words tomorrow.
“I think you are acting in rather a ridiculous manner, right now,” Lady Stanton said as she rose onto unsteady feet. Melisa watched as her mother slowly crossed the room, returning to her friends to continue laughing and talking as though Melisa hadn’t said anything at all.
As the gentlemen returned to the ballroom, the Duke came over to Melisa and helped her to her feet before leading her into the next dance. She didn’t speak to him as he smiled at her, and she did her best to look away from him as they danced through the next song. But when she could, she looked over at Mr Quinn, watching as he played the piano with passion and purpose. As she continued through the dance, she began to pray for some way to escape this engagement and choose her own husband one day.
Chapter 6
Once the eighth song was played and the dancing ceased for the night, the musicians were quickly dismissed, not needed anymore. Oliver was glad that the night was finally over, that perhaps now he could find some rest and solitude. Though he’d enjoyed gazing upon Miss Melisa, enjoying the way she gracefully danced far superiorly than any other young lady, he knew that watching her for the entire evening had been nothing more than thinking of a fantasy. Now he would leave this dance hall and more than likely never see Miss Melisa again, nor ever be able to speak with her.
As Oliver followed the other musicians through the servants’ hallway, they were paid as they left through the side door. Oliver quickly tucked the notes into his dress coat, knowing that in the morning he’d have to pay Mrs Jenkins for the funeral costs. Just thinking of it caused Oliver to shiver despite the fact that the evening air was warm. Now he just wanted to get home and sleep, hoping that his subconscious would take away all of his pain.
“It’s been good playing with you, Oliver. I’ll come and be with you for the funeral, and then we can continue on to our next gig,” Morgan said as he grasped Oliver on the shoulders.
He smiled at his friend as he looked at him. “Thank you, Morgan. You’re a real friend,” Oliver replied.
“Indeed, I am, Oliver. Don’t you ever forget it,” Morgan said as the two shook hands and he disappeared into the night, no doubt making his own way home.
Though Oliver normally would have taken a carriage home after a long performance, tonight he wanted the fresh air and the time to think as he walked home. The journey would be long, but perhaps it would help exhaust his body enough to where he would fall asleep faster.
Oliver thought about Miss Melisa as he walked, her beautiful features that made her appear more like an angel than another member of the Ton. Though her gown had been the finest, and the jewels that hung around her neck enough to pay a year’s worth of rent for him, it was her smile that he thought beautiful. She had amazing blue eyes and light hair that reminded him of spun gold from fairy-tale books.
He’d enjoyed their small conversation, still surprised that she would prefer to marry someone like him instead of a wealthy Duke. But Oliver had heard the many rumours about Lord Smithers and the many young ladies he’d ravished. He could understand why Miss Melisa wouldn’t want to marry a man like him, but surely his wealth and status in society would allow Melisa to overlook his many disgusting qualities.
Nevertheless, it pleased Oliver that he possessed something the Duke did not. Miss Melisa had found him handsome, passionate about his work, and someone who did not care about the opinions of others. Even though he was rather poor and survived off the performances he was hired to complete, mostly just during a London Season, it still filled Oliver with a certain warmth to think that a young lady like her would ever compliment a man like him.
He smiled as he walked, his mind filled with the image of Miss Melisa. After everything he’d been through today, he was at least glad to have met her and shared a small experience with her. To her, it probably meant nothing. But to him, it meant the world.
Oliver was walking down the street when he looked up and noticed Luthiers in the distance. He stopped suddenly, realizing this was the area that his father had been shot and killed not even a day ago. A cold shiver ran up his spine as his palms began to feel sweaty. He convinced himself to keep moving, to just walk past the place without another thought.
But as Oliver neared the establishment, he could hear music and laughter coming from within along with the scent of tobacco smoke and bourbon. Oliver stopped right outside the open door, peering into the front counter where a beautiful older woman stood, waving at him like they were old friends. He couldn’t help himself. He stepped into the gaming hell and approached the lady, giving her a slight smile.
