A knock at the door sounded, and Melanie blinked. For a fleeting second, absurd as it was, she imagined it might be him.Harry.
But of course, it wasn’t.
“Come in,” she called, tamping down her hope, her voice hoarse.
“Good morning, my lady,” Eloisa greeted as she entered the room with a bright smile and a fresh basin of water. “You’ve had quite the lie-in today.”
Melanie frowned faintly. “Is it that late?”
“Not terribly,” Eloisa replied, setting the basin down and fluffing the pillows on the bed. “But your mother and Lady Josephine have already left for their appointment with the modiste. I’m to help you dress and then meet them at the park, to act as Lady Josephine’s companion. They didn’t want to disturb you.”
Melanie ran her fingers along her braid. “That was thoughtful of them.” Yet guilt pricked at her. She rarely slept in, and now she’d been left behind, which was just as well.
Despite the newfound conviction flickering in her heart, the thought of getting dressed, of pulling herself together, felt insurmountable. If Malum had truly meant it when he’d broken their engagement, then she had nowhere to go. No drivingthrough the park, no engagement party to plan. What was the point?
Her gaze drifted toward the window. Was that what she was going to do now? Retreat into herself again? Let the walls of this house become her world, as they had ever since the fire?
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
No.
Without consciously meaning to, she’d pushed forward—she’d beenseen. She’d beenheard. The idea of returning to that lonely, shadowed existence felt like defeat. She refused to allow a few cruel words from Malum to set her back.
But even as she tried to steady herself with that resolve, his declaration lingered, sharp and final.“There is no us.”
She pressed a hand to her chest, as though she could somehow ease the stabbing sensation in her heart. It hurt to suddenly lose him like this, but also… she simply did not understand.
Why now? What had changed? Because she couldn’t have imagined their connection, not all of it.
First, he’d been sweet and funny. Then, he’d been concerned. He had always—always—been honest and kind. Even when he’d mangled his apologies.
But last night, his voice had turned hard. He’d abruptly insisted they call everything off—without even so much as suggesting some sort of… exit strategy, at the very least.
Could he truly have meant it?It didn’t make sense.
Yes, Malum had a reputation for being cold, distant, even ruthless at times. But cruel? Impulsive?
Definitely not.
That wasn’t the man she’d come to know. The man who had joined her on the lawn, gazing up at the sky, who had somehow managed to help her feel whole again.Thatman wouldn’t cast her aside with such careless—almost reckless—finality.
No, she refused to believe it.
“Eloisa,” she said, quietly but with enough resolve to make the maid pause. “I’d like to wear my cobalt day dress. The one with the delicate embroidery.”
Eloisa beamed. “Of course, my lady. A fine choice.”
Melanie rose, and as Eloisa helped her wash and dress, her determination grew. The act of pulling on her favorite gown felt almost ceremonial, a declaration of sorts.
She wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet.
She didn’t know what she was going to say to him, but she was going to seek him out at theDomus.Today. She wanted—no, she deserved—a full explanation.
Once she was ready, Melanie stopped to examine herself in the mirror. The dress was simple but elegant, its rich blue fabric a flattering contrast to her pale complexion.Perfect.
She straightened her shoulders and clenched her fists, even if her heart wasn’t quite ready to follow.
“Thank you, Eloisa.”
