“You seem lost in thought. Already having regrets?”
She was thankful that his voice was gentle and without censure. She gathered the edges of the blanket a bit more securely about her. She told herself it wasn’t a tactic for security, but instead, she was basking in the glow of being a changed woman. “Not at all. If I didn’t want that to happen, I wouldn’t have allowed it.”
He lifted a brow. “Perhaps you were swept off of your feet by a notorious rake.”
She wanted to laugh, but there was an edge to his voice that kept the amusement at bay. “I suppose tomorrow will prove whether or not you have any redeeming qualities, Lord Belmont.”
He reached out and grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I know you will never agree in public, but in private, I must insist that you call me by my given name.”
Meliah’s heart started to pound, but not because she felt threatened by him. In truth, her eagerness to replay their recent tryst was causing a strange ache between her legs. Although she told herself it was folly to consider it, he was a difficult man not to crave fully.
She opened her mouth slightly and allowed his name to fall from her lips in a soft whisper. “Elwood.”
Instantly, his gaze darkened and she could tell she’d gained his attention. “I’m starting to believe you’re the true threat.”
She relaxed her grip on the blanket and it slipped from her shoulder. “What makes you say that?” she asked coyly.
His nostrils flared, but instead of joining her, he said, “As much as I would enjoy taking you up on your tempting offer. I fear I must decline. You would surely regret that tomorrow when you are taking an uncomfortable ride into the village.” He trailed a finger along her lower lip. “However, if you wish to entertain me tomorrow evening, I would be more than willing.” With that, he straightened. “I will see that a fresh bath is brought up for you.”
As he left, Meliah released a sigh. She looked at the ceiling and tried to make sense of the madness that had taken hold of her. She had always been an obedient child, doing everything that her parents asked. She had never given them more than a moment’s worth of trouble, had been raised to take extreme care with her reputation. And yet, the moment she went on the hunt for Mr. October, she suddenly forgot everything she’d ever beentaught. She was becoming more like a lady of the night rather than a merchant’s respectable daughter.
She shivered, trying not to think of her father’s disappointed expression and her mother’s irritated rant if they were to discover her actions. While this should have made her lament everything that had happened in this room tonight, she found that she was doing the opposite and pondering the next evening, and if Elwood might make good on his promises.
He wasn’t goingto be able to sleep at all. Not a wink.
Elwood paced his chamber. He shoved a hand through his already disheveled hair and tried to contemplate his next move, but unbeknownst to him, he’d never been in such a predicament before. He had taken advantage of women’s innocence before, surely, but never had he grown a conscience after the deed was done. Not only that, but like Meliah, her predecessors had allowed him into their beds knowing the ramifications of their actions. And Elwood decided that if they were that foolish, then they deserved whatever they had coming. However, most of these women were spoiled debutantes who thought they could gain a husband of their choosing by offering their body instead of something more substantial—like a keen mind and a sharp wit.
Meliah had both of those qualities in abundance and so much more. That was why he was finding it hard to shake off the guilt that wanted to swallow him. He told himself that once he’d had his fun with her, he would send her back to London without a second thought. But instead, the joke was on him, because he was starting to have feelings for her.Dangerousones.
Of course, she was completely unsuitable. His parents weren’t demanding in any way, but they would find fault in his choices if he were to start courting a commoner. They would expect him to wed a lady of quality, and preferably, one who brought something of import to the union, whether it be wealth or further connections.
He had never cared for either, as wealth was something he’d never had to worry about. As an earl, he had plenty of doors of society opened to him. He held a card at Almack’s and a membership at White’s. For someone like Meliah, with her simple background, it would be ultimately more difficult to gain her entrée into the circle of ladies that constituted the upper echelons of society. Even though she would be elevated to a countess if they wed, they would likely snub their noses and give her the cut direct.
This was unsettling to Elwood, perhaps more than the idea he was actually considering the prospect ofmarriage. He’d never cared to have a family or children, but he found that he wanted to save Meliah from the fate of toil that awaited her should her dreams fail. He could easily speak to the printers about accepting her work, perhaps offer a monetary bribe, but if Meliah found out about his involvement, he knew she would never forgive him for interfering.
He poured himself a glass of brandy and sank into a chair by the fire as he continued to contemplate what to do. Perhaps he should go to Meliah’s father and ask his permission for her hand. It would be the honorable thing to do, and if their involvement was brought to light in spite of that, he feared it would destroy what hope she might have to live an independent life. The last thing he wanted to do was to see her hopes crumble before his very eyes. He wanted to ensure her happiness, to make all of her dreams come true.
In the end, he decided that the only way to accomplish that was to let the truth of his actions become public knowledge. Meliah would have to counter “The Belle’s” article and tell the world about the real Lord Belmont, that even a despicable rake could be charitable by nature and have a care for those less fortunate. He preferred to keep that part of his life secret because he would rather people think he was a selfish bastard who only cared about his own desires. That was expected of most men of his rank. To reveal that he could actually be considering of others would cause every matchmaking mother in society to come knocking on his door.
Right now, there was only one lady who had managed to capture his regard. For all the women that had thrown themselves at his feet in the past, their faces and names faded into oblivion when compared to Meliah. She was the incomparable he’d always scoffed at, thinking that the perfect woman couldn’t possibly exist.
He’d been wrong.
As he downed his brandy, he decided that once tomorrow’s adventures had concluded, he would make a trip to London to speak to Meliah’s parents. Whereas the thought of matrimony caused him no end of dry heaves, he found that it wasn’t quite as unappealing as it might have been before. But he supposed the right person made all the difference.
He suddenly groaned, because he feared he would turn into his parents after all. But for the first time he didn’t mind the comparison.
Meliah’s eyesfluttered open to the sun shining through her window. She smiled and closed them again, before she gave agasp and shot straight up in bed. She’d never slept past the dawn for as long as she could remember, and yet, it had to be mid-morning already.
She threw the covers off herself and removed her nightdress.
After the second bath had been prepared the night before, Meliah found that she was grateful for Elwood’s consideration. The warm water was soothing against the parts of her body that were suddenly more sensitive than before. It was strange how everything had felt so different, and yet, still the same.
After she’d bathed and dried off, she’d donned the nightdress and climbed into bed, wonderfully exhausted. But now, she had to scurry about and try to get dressed before she lost any more of the day. Thankfully, it was looking to be a rather pleasant one. Or perhaps that was just how she saw it now. Could it be that her vision had changed as well? That everything around her appeared more… vivid?
She donned a light yellow muslin and after she pinned her hair into a simple chignon, she pinched her cheeks to add a bit of extra color, and then she headed downstairs.
When she reached the dining room, she was surprised to find that a silver tray was waiting for her—as well as the earl. “Good morning,” he greeted upon her entrance. He had been reading the paper, but now he folded it and set it aside as she took her place at the table.
