My Forbidden Mentor (40 page)

“Yes.”

“Oh, what a horrible wedding night for you.” Her head tipped up to look into his face. “You know I hardly ever drink, but last evening the champagne tasted so good and everyone was drinking, even auntie. I couldn’t stop myself.”

“It’s all right. After all, you’re going to make up for that right now, are you not?” There was a gleam in his eyes that explained his meaning loud and clear.

“I suppose,” she said while glancing around. “I’m not sure how John?”

John’s gaze traveled between their bodies. “Why don’t we rinse first, then use our imaginations?”

For a whole month after their wedding day their lives were blissful. Even meeting with Lord Ainsworth had been a success. He’d admitted being quite impressed with Melissa’s riding on their wedding day, but even so he expressed that in order to comply with social alliance a challenge must be met. Lord Ainsworth would agree to take Melissa on as a rider at Catterick if she petitioned herself. He required five hundred signatures. When that was completed they would meet again to discuss their options. John and Melissa agreed and left the meeting feeling elated.

The next day Melissa began her crusade. Daily she rode through nearby villages, knowing she’d be better received. She’d been successful in the villages but still didn’t have near enough signatures.

John persuaded her to go into bigger towns, starting with Richmond, and so the torment began. Not as well received in the beginning, she went half a day without any new signatures. Feeling distressed and defeated she stopped by a market on the outskirts of Richmond to do some shopping.

She had been looking over sculptures of horses when a young lady got her attention.

“Isn’t this lovely?” The young lady remarked, holding a black stallion sculpture in her hand.

Melissa smiled at the young lady, who was approximately her age with thick, rich copper hair. “Yes, it is,” she replied.

“My fiancé, or rather ex-fiancé, has a real life stallion that looks just like this one.” She twisted the sculpture in her hand to see its full depth.

“I’m sorry you are no longer together.”

“It couldn’t be helped.” She looked down at the stack of papers Melissa held. “It looks like you’ve got a petition there. For what, may I ask?”

“Actually it’s a petition for myself. I want to race thoroughbreds at Catterick racetrack and before I can, I need five hundred signatures.”

“You race horses? I find that fascinating. I think you’re very bold and courageous to do what you’re doing. I’ll sign.”

“Thank you. I wish more people had your attitude.”

The young lady looked over the signatures. “It looks like you’ve just started in Richmond.”

“Yes, today in fact. The outside villages were very receptive, but I’m finding in town, well, my luck is not with me.”

“I can help you with this. I know a lot of people in Richmond, very influential people.”

“You would help me? I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes and I’ll do it.”

“Yes.” Melissa gazed at the young lady in admiration for it seemed so generous for a complete stranger to be so eager to help. She reminded Melissa of herself.

She watched the ink flow across the line receiving the signature. Rose Catley. Rose? Melissa’s eyes scanned her red hair before shifting to the stallion sculpture. Robert has a black stallion, Goliath. “Rose? Robert Gibson’s Rose?” At Rose’s nod she introduced herself. “I’m Melissa.” She held out her hand.

“Melissa? Melissa Howard?” Rose responded in sheer joy.

“Yes, I used to be. I’m Melissa Blackburn now,” she confirmed.

“You two finally got married. How absolutely wonderful.” Rose hugged Melissa in a friendly embrace.

Rose and Melissa spent the remainder of the day getting to know each other. They hit it off marvelously and planned to start the next day ravishing Richmond with their petition.

Melissa mentioned to John about her day and about meeting Rose. He was glad Melissa had found a friend in Rose as he had known if they ever met they would get along well. When he mentioned their friendship to Robert he seemed genuinely happy for them. The month of August flowed by, bringing new challenges along the way.

It was the middle of September when John arrived home early one afternoon. He’d just gotten settled when the front door bell rang. He remembered Charles had the day off, undoubtedly courting Miss Beckett, so he got up from his chair smiling at that thought as he answered the door.

John signed for a package wrapped like a wedding gift. He carried it to the library and sat down before opening the message that came with it. Casually opening the card, he noticed it had been addressed to Melissa only. He read the note attached and had to read the words twice to make sure he’d read them correctly.

Melissa was practically singing as she flew through the front door. She was in a joyous, happy mood because today she and Rose had gotten the most signatures thus far. She spotted John’s leather bag on the floor near the stairwell, which meant he was home early. Ecstatic to share her successful day with her husband, she searched and found him in the library. Sitting in his favorite chair, he held a glass of brandy in one hand and an opened card in the other. He hadn’t seen her for his head was tipped back against the chair with his eyes closed.

Her smile faded when she noticed an unopened gift lying at his booted feet. Her eyes traveled the length of him to find dark and stormy eyes piercing into her. Something was wrong, terribly wrong, and it had to do with that gift, she gathered.

“What is it, John?” she asked.

“You tell me.” His look was dangerous.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” she responded with bated breath.

John sat up and handed her the card. “This will explain.”

Melissa took the card, opened it, and read the message that had put John in this state.

Dearest Melissa,

Here is a belated wedding gift for a very extraordinary lady.

Fondly, Jack.

Her eyes grew large and her heart began to race. She could only imagine the thoughts monopolizing her husband’s mind. “I don’t know the meaning of this John.”

His lips twisted. “Why not open the gift and find out how meaningful it is.”

They stared at each other in trembling silence. Melissa shifted her focus to the gift sitting on the carpeted floor. What would she find in there and why was Jack sending her a gift?

She bent down, lifting the gift into her hand. She backed up to sit on the couch across from John. With the gift set on her lap, she looked up to find intense gray eyes watching her. Normally out of habit they would kiss when greeting each other every day, but John didn’t seem like he was in the mood for a kiss and that bothered her. Obviously he had read more into this than there was, although it was quite a bold gesture on Jack’s part. What was Jack up to anyway?

Literally frightened of what she might find beneath the beautiful wedding paper, she began gradually undoing the bow. By the time the gift was free and out of its wrappings, Melissa stared down at a blue velvet jewelry box. She didn’t dare look at John, who remained quiet. The gift was clearly personal. Slender fingers snatched open the box.

Witnessing her widened eyes, John studied Melissa’s reaction. She appeared as surprised as he or was it an act? He’d been correct about Jack’s intentions, but what were his wife’s?

Melissa’s throat tightened. How would she ever explain this extravagance to John? An opaque pearl bracelet gleamed back at her. It was beautiful, something that should have been from John, not a simple driver. But he had also been Vanessa’s driver. Could she be behind this facade?

“What is it?” a deep voice inquired.

Melissa turned the box around in his direction. He didn’t need to move closer as he could plainly see what the box held within. The bright glow of pearls contrasted richly against the dark blue velvet.

“Very nice,” he commented, catching her eyes and holding them with his.

Why did she feel so compelled to explain about something she knew nothing about? “John, I haven’t any idea what this means.”

“Don’t you? It’s quite evident that Jack McGuire is enamored with you. The question is, are you of him?”

“What are you implying?” she asked in shock.

“Implying? The proof lies in your hand.”

“For Jack, perhaps, not for me,” she responded in defense.

He waited, not saying a word.

“I realize it looks a certain way, John, but believe me, I have no part in this.” Why was John so angry? Didn’t he trust her?

“Did you at one time?”

“You mean was I involved with Jack? Absolutely not. I told you before he was just my driver and that’s the truth.”

John sat in concentration, remembering a tidbit of information Robert had indulged regarding Mr. McGuire.

“You don’t believe me, do you? You know he was involved with Vanessa. Perhaps she’s behind this?”

“What do you plan to do with the gift?” He didn’t answer her but proceeded with his own agenda.

“Send it back, of course,” she said as though it were an obvious fact.

“With a note, I presume, and what would that note entail, Melissa?”

Oh, he was behaving like a maddened fool. “Why don’t you believe me, John?”

“I want to. But I seem to recall Jack having connections at a racetrack in Richmond.”

“So?”

“Where are most of your signatures coming from?”

His mind seemed bent on destruction as he twisted every word around. “This is outrageous!”

“Tell me sweetheart, have you seen Jack since Sheffield?” He stayed calm despite her recent outburst.

She had, in fact, in Richmond. How John had guessed that she didn’t know since she’d kept it from him with good reason. Of course, now that reason would be exposed. “Yes. I won’t lie to you.”

“Why haven’t you told me before this?”

“Because of the way you’re acting now. You’re assuming, John. You’re wrong.” The increased volume of her voice exposed an angry tone not normally heard.

“Did you just say hello, or did you have tea and cakes together?”

“Why are you asking this?”

He leaned forward. “Because, I pegged Jack in Sheffield. I knew then his interest in you went beyond being your driver.” John shook his head in frustration and sighed from accumulating fatigue. “I’m a man, Melissa. I know how men operate.”

“It’s not mutual, John,” she said, trying to convince him.

“You’re letting him get close to you and I don’t like it. This gift is an example of how close he’s trying to get.”

“I was only trying to be nice. I in no way gave him any ideas about intentions other than friendship.”

“How can you be a friend with someone who came after you for Vanessa?”

“He was unaware John, you know that. Besides, he no longer sees her.”

“No, now he sees you!” The wave of calm finally crashed.

“You’re not being fair about this,” she cried.

“You know quite a bit about his personal life, sweetheart. Did you discuss this over tea the one time?” The wave unleashed his sarcastic side.

It was time to set him straight. “John, he’s had a hard time. He got caught up in Vanessa’s web as well. Yes, I’ve had tea with him several times when in Richmond, and yes, by being my friend he’s helped me accumulate an abundance of signatures for my petition, but he’s also aware that I am with child, John. That I am carrying my husband’s child, my husband, the man I’m in love with.” She lifted the box into her hand. “This gift, though quite generous I admit, is a gesture of friendship, John. Only friendship.”

“Do you plan on staying friends with Jack?” He didn’t seem pleased by her explicit explanation.

“Why wouldn’t I?” she answered guardedly.

“At the risk of your marriage?” John purposely put her to a test.

“Wha . . . what are you saying?” He was damn serious about this mess.

“You know what I’m saying.” He gave her a knowing look.

“He’s helped me, John,” she cried.

“And he’ll expect something in return,” John concluded.

She didn’t respond. Too stunned to reply, she just stared into the angry features of the man she loved.

“Is his kind of friendship worth your marriage?” he inquired again.

A long period of silence fell between them after his last inquiry.

The whole situation seemed ludicrous to Melissa. Anger escalated at her husband for not trying to understand the truth of the matter, instead letting his insane jealousy rule. But she still loved him and indeed she would not allow a simple misunderstanding to ruin her union with her husband. “Of course it’s not worth my marriage!” she hissed, rising from the couch and tossing the gift toward him and storming out of the library, on the way hearing a faint “Good” echo from John.