Montgomery Family 01 - Lost Pleasures Found (5 page)

As Henry stopped his horse, he said, “Sometimes things just happen when you least expect them to, and Melody and I are just meant to be. She’s so beautiful and sweet. I knew from the first moment that I had met someone very special. I met her shortly after I got back from the continent. I think I need someone now that I’ve returned from the war. I’m ready to settle down, and Melody is the one for me.” Henry smiled as he thought about how much he loved his sweet Melody. The more he thought about her, the stronger his conviction became that he was doing the right thing by asking her to marry him.

“I’m happy for you, Henry. Are you going to tell Mother and Father about your plans?” he asked. “You know that they’ll probably not be happy about you getting married. Father still wants you to marry Lady Penelope. He’s definitely not going to be happy that you’re leaving so soon. Father was planning on you helping out around here for a while, and then he wants you to take over the Doncaster Stables in Yorkshire.”

Henry knew that Nelson was probably right about his parents, but they would just have to accept his decision in regards to his marriage. “I’m going to do that, but I just need to make sure that I get my life settled before I take up the management of Doncaster Stables. It’s going to be at least six months before I can do that anyway, because I need to get my men settled first. I want to make Melody my wife, and I need to do this soon, before someone else comes along and tries to take her away from me. I’m not going to tell them I’m getting married. I’m going to just do it and then tell them. That way they can’t try to do anything to sabotage my marriage, before it even gets started. You’ll keep my plans to yourself, won’t you, Nelson?”

“I won’t say anything, but you know that they’re not going to be happy about this. It’s going to be very difficult for them to accept her, because they always planned on you coming home and marrying Lady Penelope. You know that they want to join our lands together, and since she’s her father’s only heir, she’ll inherit everything.”

Henry was so tired of hearing about Lady Penelope. He kept telling his father he was not interested, but he just did not want to believe him. He knew Nelson did not feel that he should marry Lady Penelope and that he was only pointing out how his father would feel, but he was beginning to get a little angry so he said, “The ducal holdings are already immense. They will survive without that property. I love Melody, and I’m going to marry her. I don’t care about what she can bring to the marriage, and I don’t need a dowry since our grandmother left me her estate. I deserve to have peace and contentment now that I’ve come back from the war. For God’s sake, I’m giving up the military career that I love! He needs to just be happy about that! Melody will make me happy. I just know it.”

Nelson held up his hand as he replied, “Wait a minute. I’m not the enemy here. Henry, I’m happy for you, and I want you to have a love match. I just want you to realize that this isn’t going to make our parents happy. Father was counting on that property. I would marry Lady Penelope myself, but I don’t feel that we would suit. She likes town life too much for me, and she’s far too young. She’s only a year older than Helen. She would never be content staying in the country, and besides, I’m just not ready yet. It’s only been a year since I lost Nora.”

Every time Nelson mentioned Nora, Henry could hear the pain in his voice. He wished there was something he could do to help ease his suffering. “Nelson, I know how much you miss Nora, but I do think that you have to consider marrying again soon. You need an heir. I never want to have to step into your shoes. I’m counting on you to take care of it so that I don’t have to. But you’re right about Lady Penelope. You would definitely not suit, because she’s much too frivolous for you.”

“You’re right, Henry, about me needing to move past my grief. I just need a little more time. And I promise I won’t leave you having to be my heir for long. I have already made up my mind that I’ll go to London next year to find myself a wife, but not some young giddy debutant. That’s why I’m so glad to have you back home. Now Father will start focusing on you instead of me. Well, it’s past time to head back. We’ve been gone all day. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late for dinner, and you know how angry Father gets if anyone is ever late.” They turned their horses around and at a brisk trot, they headed back to the house.

Over the next few weeks, Henry and Nelson spent quite a bit of time together. Everyday they would ride out to all the different farms to make sure that all the tenants had everything they needed. It was rewarding to see all the folks from his youth and to see how well received he was by them. Henry also helped Nelson with the books. Nelson never did enjoy working inside, so Henry took some of that burden off his shoulders. His parents were very cold to him, but that was nothing new. He also spent time with Helen and Kathryn. They were such sweet-natured girls. It was hard to imagine that Helen was old enough to be going to town next season to make her come out.

Finally, it was time for Henry to leave for Lincolnshire. He told his father that he was going to visit one of his school friends that had been wounded in the war. To appease him, he promised to go to Doncaster and check on Doncaster Stables while he was up north. Needless to say, his father was not happy, but he knew that he could not keep Henry from going. It bothered Henry that he had to lie to his father, but if he wanted to avoid telling him about Melody, it was necessary. After hearing the duke go on about Lady Penelope, he knew he would be livid over his plans to marry her. Lying had never set well with Henry, but in this case it was the lesser of the evils.

Henry left Surrey in time to make it to Melody’s by the third week of September. As much as he enjoyed spending time with his brother and sisters, he was anxious to get to Melody. He hoped he was reading her right and that she did return his regard. The trip was long, and it rained part of the way. No matter how long it took, or what kind of weather he had to ride through, it would be well worth it when he was able to finally see Melody’s sweet face again. As he entered Lincolnshire, he noticed how beautiful the countryside was, with lots of verdant green pastures and rolling hills. He had not realized how lovely Lincolnshire was. The closer he got to Little Smythington, the more excited he became. Soon he would be seeing his darling Melody again.

M
ELODY WAS OVERJOYED to be at home with her parents. She had missed them a great deal. Her father was getting up in years, and his health was not as good as she would like. Melody knew she was very dear to them, and they were so pleased to have her home again. She told them more about Henry and that he was supposed to be arriving around the middle of September. Her parents were happy for her and hoped that it would all work out the way she wanted. They wanted her to have a love match, but they were not sure she was ready for marriage yet. She knew it was disconcerting to her parents to think of her getting married and moving away, as she was their only child. She also knew that they had always hoped she would find someone closer to them when it came time for her to marry. It was apparent that it bothered them because Henry lived in the south of England.

Everyday, Melody would think of Henry and look forward to his visit. She did receive one letter from him, and he told her he should be there around the third week of September, a little later than he had planned. Melody kept herself busy by helping her father with his sermons. She would write them for him, as his hands were crippled up with rheumatism. “Father, I have finished writing your sermon. Do you want to check it over and make sure that it’s right?”

Her father looked over at Melody and smiled, then replied, “I’m sure the sermon is fine. It’s such a joy to have you home again. Your mother and I missed you greatly while you were gone. We were so pleased when Miriam asked you to visit her in London and that she was willing to sponsor you for a season. However, we’re glad that you’re home. Now, why don’t you tell me more about Henry?”

With a dreamy expression on her face, Melody said, “Oh, Father, he is so wonderful. I think that you’ll like him a great deal. I already told you his father is the Duke of Sanderford. I don’t think he gets on well with his parents. He made some comments about it when we were together. He has an elder brother, who will inherit the dukedom, and he also has two younger sisters. I gather that he hasn’t spent much time at home in the last six years, due to the war. He’s still in the army, and he hasn’t made up his mind about when he will sell his commission. He seems to like the army and isn’t sure he’s ready to leave it yet. The duke wants him to sell his commission so that he can help with all the ducal holdings. I’m sure that he will do so, but not until he gets his men settled.”

“You seem quite taken by this young man. It sounds as if he’s still quite young and may not be ready to settle down. Four and twenty is still very young for a man to be thinking of marriage. I don’t want to see you get hurt, so it might be smart to take it slow. Give yourself plenty of time, to make sure that you’re truly in love with him and that he feels the same way. Your mother and I married for love, and that’s what we want for you. We always hoped that when the time came for you to marry, you would find a nice local young man, so you would live close by. This young man lives so far away,” he replied.

With determination in her voice, she said, “I don’t need to think about it. I know that I’m in love with Henry, and I feel he loves me. He hasn’t told me so, but all his actions tell me he does. I don’t think he would spend the time to come all the way here if he weren’t serious about his intentions. Father, please be happy for me and just listen to Henry when he comes. He’ll be here in a few days, and I want you and Mother to give him a chance to prove that he really cares for me. That’s all that I ask, all right?”

Her father patted her shoulder, and with love in his eyes, he said, “Of course, we will listen to your young man, and if he’s as wonderful as you say he is, I’m sure that we’ll like him.”

Finally, the day had arrived, and Melody could not wait for Henry to get there. She was so eager and excited. When Henry arrived, he was riding his horse, Jupiter. He looked so handsome that he took her breath away. Melody felt so nervous about seeing him again.
What
if
she
was
wrong
and
had
misjudged
his
intentions?
She would be so devastated, if that were the case. It would also be embarrassing, because she had led her parents to believe that he loved her. Henry dismounted from his horse, and when he looked at Melody, all her doubts melted away. The look in Henry’s eyes said it all, because they were filled with love and tenderness. She was sure that he loved her! Melody’s hands began to shake, and her heart began to beat rapidly as Henry walked over to her, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. He placed a kiss in the center of her palm, and shivers ran up and down her spine.

“Melody, it’s wonderful to see you again. God, you are so beautiful! I’ve missed you so much. I came as soon as I could get away from my family. How have you been? Did you miss me?” he asked.

She looked at Henry’s face and smiled happily at him as she replied, “I’ve missed you desperately, and I’m pleased that you have arrived. Let’s go inside so I can introduce you to my parents. I’ve told them all about you, and they’re looking forward to meeting you.”

As they went into the house, they gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. They went into the parlor so that Melody could introduce him to her parents. She was very nervous and excited, and she just hoped that her parents would like him! “Mother … Father, this is Lord Henry Montgomery. Remember, I told you he would be coming for a visit.”

Melody’s father stepped forward and offered Henry his hand as he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. Melody told us you were coming for a visit. How was the trip up here?

As Henry shook his hand, he said, “It was a pleasant trip, and for the most part, the weather cooperated. I only encountered rain one day, and it wasn’t a hard rain.”

“It was quite a long distance for you, wasn’t it? You’re from Surrey, correct?” Melody’s father asked.

“I’m from Cranleigh, Surrey, which is about thirty miles south of London. I appreciate you allowing to come for a visit,” he said.

Melody’s father smiled jovially at Melody and Henry as he said, “Have you found a place to stay while you’re in the area? We would be happy to offer you our hospitality, if you haven’t already found a place. Oh, by the way, you can call me Magnus, as we aren’t formal around here.”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I would very much enjoy accepting your kind offer of hospitality. This will give us all a chance to get to know each other,” Henry answered.

“Good … Good!” Magnus replied. “Why don’t you go get your things and Melody can show you to your room.”

Henry had tied Jupiter up out front, so Melody showed him where he could put his horse. The stable was small, but clean. Henry put Jupiter in a stall and proceeded to take off his saddle, brush him down, and give him some oats. There was no one in the stable, but the two of them, so Henry took advantage of that. He pulled Melody into his arms and kissed her. His blood began to boil, and his heart was pounding, because he was so excited to be kissing her again. It seemed as if it had been so long. Melody was kissing him back with fervor, and he felt his desire rise. He tentatively placed his hand on her breast. This was the first time he had touched her like this, and it felt incredibly titillating. She let out a sigh, so he knew she was enjoying it as well. As he deepened the kiss, he pulled her tightly against him. The stall was full of soft hay, and he pulled her down so that they were lying together facing each other; he continued to kiss her. He kneaded her breasts and felt her nipples grow taut through her dress. Her heart was pounding in her chest; he could feel it under his hand. He pulled up the skirt of her gown and felt her smooth calf; his hand traveled further up to her plump thigh. It felt incredible to be touching her like this, and she was so responsive. Melody was making little sounds as he stroked her pretty legs. Soon, he knew that if he did not stop, he would lose all control, and Melody was so innocent that he did not want to take advantage of her first feelings of passion. After all, he loved her and planned to marry her, so he gently pulled his hands back and ended their kiss. “Hello, sweetheart does that show you how much I’ve missed you? It feels as if it’s been months, instead of weeks, since I held you in my arms!”

Melody blushed as she coyly looked at him and replied, “I couldn’t wait for you to get here so you could kiss me. My dreams have been filled with visions of us kissing and being in each other’s arms. I’ve been counting the days waiting for your arrival, Henry.”

They stood up, and Henry brushed some hay off her and grinned. She looked at him and smiled back as he said, “We had better return to the house before someone comes looking for us. The last thing I would want is for us to be caught in a compromising situation.” She led him back into the house and showed him where he would be staying.

Over the next few days, they spent every waking moment together. Whenever they were alone, they would kiss, but Henry was careful to not let things get out of hand. He liked Melody’s parents, and her mother reminded him of Melody. She was just as sweet natured and kind as his darling Melody was. Henry knew he was ready to have a talk with her father. He was sure she was in love with him and would say yes when he asked her to marry him. The study door was open, so he knocked on the doorframe and asked, “Sir, could I have a few minutes of your time?”

Magnus gave Henry a knowing look, motioned him into the room as he replied, “What can I do for you?”

“Sir, I would like to ask you for Melody’s hand in marriage. I love your daughter very much … and I believe that she feels the same way about me. I have the financial resources to take care of her and any children we may have. My maternal grandmother left me her estate, and I have an income of two thousand pounds a year, plus numerous investments to supplement my income. I promise that I’ll take care of her and love her for the rest of her life. Do I have your permission to pay my addresses to your daughter?” Henry was concerned about the expression on Magnus’s face. He hoped he was not going to tell him no.
Oh
god,
surely
not.
He loved her desperately, and he knew Melody would never disobey her parents. He would just have to convince her father that he would always take care of her.

Magnus looked intently at him, as he said, “Henry, please take a seat. I appreciate you speaking with me regarding your intentions. I’ve been waiting for you to say something. I can see that you and Melody care about each other a great deal. My only concern is about your military career and that you live so far away. Melody told me you’re on an extended leave, but that you haven’t sold your commission. Do you plan to stay in the military? I’m not sure that Melody would do well following the drum, and I feel she wouldn’t want to be left behind while you went away.”

Henry looked determinedly at Magnus as he answered, “I do plan to sell my commission, sir, and soon. I just want to wait until most of my troops are settled and have decided what they want to do, now that the war is over. I have spent six years with many of my men, and I don’t want to leave them until I’ve helped them get back to their lives. This shouldn’t take more than six months. My regiment is close to my home in Surrey, and Melody can live with my family while I finish up with my men. But once I do that, we’ll be coming back up here. The estate my grandmother left me is close to Doncaster, and of course, Doncaster Stables is in Yorkshire. I’ll be managing the stables for my father, so we won’t be too far away. I would like to marry Melody soon, sir.”

Magnus sighed deeply and with resignation in his voice, he replied, “All right, Henry. You have my permission to ask Melody to marry you. You just make sure that you take good care of my little girl. She’s all that her mother and I have, and we want her to be happy and safe.”

What
a
relief!
He
had
said
yes.
He
could
not
wait
to
ask
Melody.
“Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll take good care of her, and I’ll keep her happy and safe. May I go speak with Melody now?”

“Go on,” he said. “I’m sure that she’s waiting for you to tell her why you wanted to talk to me.”

Henry hurried from the room and headed out into the garden, where he knew Melody was. He walked outside and saw her sitting in the arbor. The sunlight cast a glow all around her, which formed a golden halo around her head. She glowed with innocence, and his heart swelled with love for her. She appeared lovelier to him than she ever had before. He walked up to her and sat down beside her. He knew she was waiting for him to tell her what he had talked to her father about. “Melody, I have just spoken with your father, and I have something to ask you.” Henry got down on his knee and took Melody’s hand in his. He looked into her face with love shining in his eyes. As he held her hand, he could feel her trembling, and he said, “Melody, I hold you in great esteem. In fact … , I have fallen in love with you … I hope that you feel the same way about me. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife? I’ll always love you and take care of you. Please … say that you’ll be my wife!”