Match For Melissa (19 page)

“Everyone?” Melissa felt a small glimmer of hope pierce the gray fog of depression that had settled around her like a heavy cloak.

“Everyone.” Jane nodded emphatically. “All will be invited from the lowliest
debutante
to the Prince Regent, himself!”

“Am I to be invited then?” Melissa hardly dared to speak the words. How wondrous it would be to dress in costume and mingle with the others in the duke’s ballroom!

“You?” Jane gave a mirthless laugh. “Of course not, you
silly chit! All who know you regard you as my servant and servants do not attend
ton
parties.”

“But if I were to dress in costume, no one should discern my true identity. Surely you know that I should never betray you and I shall promise to take my leave long before the unmasking. Please say that you will give me your leave to attend!”

“No, I forbid it.” Jane shook her head, putting an end to the matter. “It would be foolish to take such a risk merely to afford you a few stolen moments of pleasure.”

Melissa glanced up into the beautiful but unyielding face of her stepmother. Seeing no charity in Jane’s countenance, she quickly dropped her eyes again.

“It is not as if I am depriving you to the slightest degree.” Jane pursed her lips in displeasure, obviously out of sorts with the direction that her interview with Melissa had taken. “You will be in attendance as part of the staff. I shall even let you stay until the duke declares for Regina so that you may witness their happiness. I am certain that you will have ample opportunity to view the festivities from a secluded corner and to enjoy it thusly.”

Melissa was shocked into complete silence. Viewing the ball from the corner of a darkened balcony, or peeking in through a partially closed door, could in no way be compared to attending as an invited guest. She wished to rebel, to remind her stepmother that she was not a servant, but it would be wise to wait until she had carefully considered her options. She clamped her lips together tightly, took the list of tasks to be accomplished for the day, and left her stepmother’s sitting room without a further word.

In the end, Melissa had not protested. There was nothing to gain and much to lose. Her very livelihood depended on Jane’s charity for she had no money of her own. If Jane were to turn her out from Harrington Manor in a fit of pique, she could expect no one to come to her rescue. Though Dorothea had
generously invited her to join her family once she was wed, and Melissa had no doubt that Regina would offer the same should she marry the duke, Melissa did not choose to be a burden to either of her stepsisters. She must seek another way out of her difficulties.

“Lissa?”

A cheery voice startled Melissa out of her thoughts and she smiled as Emmy ran toward her down the garden path, Perseus at her heels. In light of the excellent care that Emmy had given Mrs. Parker when she was ill, the housekeeper had relieved her of her scullery duties and promoted her to the position of under house maid. “Hello, Emmy. Has Henri sent you here to chase away my gloom?”

“No.” Emmy looked concerned. “I did not know that you were in a taking, Lissa, else I would not have disturbed you.”

Melissa smiled. “It does not matter in the slightest, Emmy, as I am no longer blue-deviled. One glimpse of your smile and I find myself quite cheerful once again.”

“I have come to tell you a secret, Lissa.” Emmy threw a stick for Perseus to chase and flopped down on the bench beside Melissa. “I have discovered what his grace is to wear!”

Melissa turned to look at Emmy. The girl’s eyes were shining with excitement. “And what is that, Emmy?”

“He is to be King Arthur!”

“Such a costume would be perfect for his grace.” Melissa nodded quickly, envisioning the duke in elaborate medieval garb. “However did you learn this, Emmy?”

A rush of color stained Emmy’s cheeks and she twisted her hands nervously. “I did not mean to overhear, but I was just outside the door when his grace consulted with Mr. Oliver. His grace has received a summons from his mother and he must journey to Oakwood Castle. He has entrusted Mr. Oliver with the task of obtaining his costume while he is away.”

“How long will his grace be gone?” Melissa frowned slightly. It would be unfortunate, indeed, if the duke were not able to return in time for the ball.

“I am not certain, but he assured Mr. Oliver that he will return on or before the day of the ball. Mr. Oliver is to have all in readiness for him.”

Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. The duke was a man of his word and he would make certain to be here for the ball.

“You must promise not to tell what I have learned, Lissa. Mrs. Parker would be most upset if she thought that I had been listening at keyholes and she might send me back to the scullery.”

“I will not divulge your secret, Emmy.” Melissa smiled at the nervous maid.

“Thank you, Lissa.” Emmy gave a sigh of relief. “I told you about his grace’s costume because I could not help but imagine how romantic it would be if her ladyship’s daughter should dress as Queen Guinevere.”

Melissa nodded. “That would indeed be propitious, but I fear Miss Regina has already commissioned her costume. I cannot tell you what it is to be, but I assure you that it does not even remotely resemble Lady Guinevere.”

“I do hope
someone
dresses as Queen Guinevere.” Emmy sighed deeply. “I should so love to see King Arthur leading Queen Guinevere in the dance.”

Melissa was silent for a long moment, a daring scheme taking form in her mind. Then she reached out to squeeze Emmy’s hand and bid her to go back to her duties before her absence was noted.

“Thank you for telling me your secret, Emmy.” Melissa smiled as Emmy rose from the bench and whistled for Perseus. “Perhaps some fortunate lady will choose to dress as Queen Guinevere, and you shall see the dance you desire, after all.”

It was nearing midnight when there was a soft knock on Melissa’s door.

“Lissa? Are you awake?”

It was Regina’s voice and Melissa hastily threw a cover over the clothing on her bed and crossed the room to open the door. “Come in, Gina. There is tea if you would care for some.”

“How kind in you to have tea waiting for me at this hour!” Regina crossed to the chairs by the brazier and sank down gratefully. “Though I daresay I could do with something stronger after the reception I enjoyed at tonight’s entertainment.”

Melissa frowned as she took her place in the other chair and poured a cup of tea for her stepsister. She knew that Jane had received vouchers for Almack’s and they had attended this evening. “You were not well received?”

“Oh, our welcome was most proper.” Regina nodded quickly. “Indeed, Lady Cowper was most ingratiating. But I found that I deeply resented the comments that several of the other young ladies made to me.”

“What did they say?”

“It was not so much the content of their speech, but the implications that they made. One young lady, a Miss Harper, was so unkind as to hint that I must have entrapped the duke in some way.”

“Miss Caroline Harper?”

“Why, yes!” Regina noticed that Melissa was smiling. “Are you acquainted with her, Lissa?”

“Only by reputation. I have not met Miss Harper personally, and I do not think I should wish to. The duke’s housekeeper, Mrs. Parker, told me that Miss Harper used trickery to attempt to trap the duke into declaring for her.”

Regina’s eyes widened. “I am aware that it is not seemly of me to ask, but…do you know precisely how she accomplished this?”

Melissa laughed as she nodded. “It seems that Miss Harper gained access to Oakwood House through a rear entrance and secreted herself in the duke’s bedchamber. When her mother came to call, several hours later, she planned to be discovered there.”

“Her mother was part of this scheme?”

Melissa nodded. “And their plot might well have succeeded, had the duke been in residence. Fortunately, he was visiting one
of his country estates at the time and all the young lady gained for her efforts were a few moments of painful embarrassment.”

“Good heavens!” Regina’s mouth dropped open. “I cannot believe Miss Harper went to such lengths!”

“She is not the only young lady to attempt such a trick. Mr. Oliver told me of another, a Miss Amanda Truesblood.”

Regina nodded. “Miss Truesblood was in attendance this evening and she also made several inferences as to my character. What did she do, Lissa?”

“She enlisted the aid of her groom to sabotage the duke’s carriage. Her father, Lord Truesblood, begged the duke to carry his daughter to their country estate, pleading some type of family emergency. In this case the duke’s sister received warning of their trickery and followed them in the family coach. The duke’s carriage broke down in the late afternoon, exactly as the Truesbloods had planned, but the duke’s sister arrived long before nightfall and delivered Miss Truesblood to her country estate, much to her father’s chagrin.”

Regina burst into laughter. “Is there no end to the tricks the young ladies and their families will attempt to trap the duke into marriage?”

“I daresay there is not.” Melissa shook her head and smiled at Regina. “But all their attempts have been foiled. Perhaps if they had set out to earn the duke’s respect rather than to trick him, they would have been better served.”

Regina was thoughtful for a moment and then she met Melissa’s eyes. “Mama is certain the duke will declare for me, Lissa. Do you think this is true?”

“I do.” Melissa nodded. “The duke thinks very highly of you, Gina, and his staff all agree that he has never shown such an interest in any other young lady before.”

Regina sighed. “What shall I do, Lissa, if Mama is correct and he does declare for me? You must give me the benefit of your advice.”

“First you must tell me of your feelings for the duke.”
Melissa took a deep breath and vowed to do right by her dear stepsister.

Regina took a moment to ponder that question and when she spoke her voice was soft. “He is all that is good, Lissa, and the most worthy of men. I delight in his company and find myself captivated by his charm and his knowledge. I find that he has fine sensibilities and his behavior is most honorable. I should gladly trust him with my life and the lives of those I hold dear.”

Melissa nodded. It was quite obvious that Regina respected the duke highly and harbored tender feelings for him. Perhaps this was so close to love as to be indistinguishable. “Then you would not regard your life as his wife with aversion?”

“Oh, no!” Regina seemed truly shocked. “Marriage to the duke would be most wonderful, indeed! His declaration would send Mama into raptures and thus I would gain my freedom from her continual censure.”

“You would marry the duke for that reason only?” Melissa held her breath.

“Of course not, Lissa.” Regina laughed. “I am not such a goose as to marry solely to gain Mama’s approval! There are many other considerations and I am aware of them all. The duke has indicated to me that he finds my work commendable and I am certain he would not have any objection if I chose to continue in my charitable endeavors. In fact, I truly believe that he would encourage me greatly in these pursuits.”

“I am certain that you are correct on that account.” Melissa nodded quickly.

“The duke has also told me that he is fond of Lord Chadwick and Doro. After they are wed, as I am most certain they are to be, I will be free to invite them to visit Oakwood Castle as often as I wish. He is also sensible of the fact that Mama and I do not share a close affection and I am convinced that he will arrange matters so that she can live comfortably on her own.”

Melissa nodded. “You seem to have thought of every aspect, Gina.”

“There is more.” Regina’s eyes were sparkling. “I have saved
the best for last. Marriage to the duke would enable me to carry out my fondest wish.”

“And what is that, dear Gina?” Melissa held her breath, expecting her stepsister to speak of the children she would have with the duke, or the delight she would experience at sharing his love.

“I will be free to tell the duke who you really are!” Regina’s smile was tremulous. “At long last the truth will triumph and I am certain the duke will appreciate the reason for our deception and forgive us in an instant. Then I shall invite you to live with us, dear Lissa, not as a servant but as my beloved sister. The duke, himself, will sponsor your Season and you shall have all the pleasures that Mama has denied you all these years.”

Melissa smiled at the sight of her stepsister’s glowing face, but she was oddly discontent. Regina’s reasons for accepting the duke’s proposal were all satisfactory and most important, but the critical reason was completely lacking. Her stepsister had made no mention of love.

Regina reached out quite suddenly and took Melissa’s hand. “Thank you for listening to me tonight, Lissa, but I find I have no further need for your advice. I have come to a decision and I truly believe that it is right. If the Duke of Oakwood should offer for me at his costume ball, I shall accept him with a glad and joyous heart.”

As Regina hugged her, tears filled Melissa’s eyes. She was not yet convinced that her dear stepsister would be accepting the duke’s proposal for the right reason.

As Regina pulled away, she noticed the tears in Melissa’s eyes. “What is it, Lissa? Are you not happy for me?”

“I am most happy!” Melissa blinked furiously to clear her eyes of unwanted tears. “Have you never heard tell of tears of joy?”

Regina laughed gaily and picked up a linen napkin to wipe the tears from Melissa’s cheeks. “Of course I have! My only desire is that you will not turn into a watering pot on the day
day my wedding for I wish you to attract the eye of every young nobleman there.”

When Regina had left, Melissa pulled back the cover on the bed and stared at the array of clothing that she had arranged there. Lady Beckworth had given her several gowns and they contained the materials Melissa would need to fashion her costume for the ball. Perhaps it was wrong, in light of Regina’s decision to accept the duke’s proposal, but Melissa planned to share one more dance with the duke. It would be their last dance, the final time she could be in the arms of the man she loved, before he would become Regina’s husband.