“Good day,” she returned evenly. “I apologize if I kept you waiting overlong. I don’t generally sleep so late.”
“I didn’t want to wake you, as you seemed to be so peaceful.” He glanced at the clock. “It’s only half past nine. I generally rise much later, but as you said before, I keep town hours like the rest of theton.”
Meliah was still thinking about the fact he’d been watching her sleep and her heart jumped in her throat. The gesture both thrilled her and touched her heart.
“That was kind of you,” she murmured. She fell silent as she started to consume the ham and eggs. She realized that when she returned home to her parent’s house, she would no longer be accustomed to this sort of luxury each morning. It would be back to gruel and hard bread. The very image had her thoughts turning distant for a moment.
“Is everything well?”
At the sound of the concern in the earl’s voice she forced a smile on her face. “Of course.”
He didn’t seem convinced. If anything, the frown between his brows deepened further. “You seem distracted.” He exhaled heavily. “I was hoping you wouldn’t already be despising me for last night?—”
Meliah reached out and grasped his hand. “Believe me, that is not the reason if I have any distress.”
He regarded her solemnly, as if trying to gauge if she told the truth. “Yet you won’t tell me what is bothering you.”
“It’s of no consequence and it certainly doesn’t reflect poorly upon you. Please don’t concern yourself with it anymore.” Leaving half of her food uneaten, she wiped her mouth with her serviette and pushed her chair back, compelling him to do the same. “Shall we head to the village?”
CHAPTER 12
Elwood wanted to know what had suddenly upset her, but either Meliah was too embarrassed to say what it was that discomfited her, or she was too distraught to confide in him, he knew it was not something as inconsequential as she would like him to believe.
No doubt she might be worried about the possibility of being with child. He would ensure that any heir of his would not suffer the brunt of being called a bastard. He had already decided that he would take Meliah as his wife if she would give him but a chance to prove his worth. He hoped that their journey into the village to speak with some of the locals would do just that.
He drove them in the curricle that he had borrowed from Mrs. Jaeques. The day was bright and sunny, and Meliah’s yellow dress made her appear as lovely as a spring daisy. She was certainly a welcome respite from the rest of the landscape that was starting to wither with the waning autumn. Soon all the leaves would be crushed by the turning of the wagon wheels and the branches on the mighty oaks would be barren. The grass had already lost its green luster and the nights were starting to linger.
Of course, with Meliah to warm his bed every night, he wouldn’t mind the darkness at all, so long as a lantern remained burning so he could properly appreciate all her feminine curves.
He shifted in his seat, just imagining the sight of her bare skin shining in the soft glow of a flickering candle.
“Where are we going first?”
Elwood wasn’t sure if she spoke out of genuine curiosity, or if the silence was becoming too much to bear. “The haberdashery.”
“Really?” He could hear the surprise in her voice. “Have you done much for the community in regards to women’s fashions then?”
“No.” His lips twitched. “I intend to see that plain straw bonnet you own is properly decorated.”
Her green eyes widened, and she adopted a slightly sheepish expression. “There is no need. Truly.”
“Why not?” He tilted his head to the side as he glanced at her. “And if you say it’s because you won’t be able to pay me back, don’t bother. It’s a gift.”
Her cheeks colored slightly. “It isn’t mine.” She exhaled heavily, as if grateful to finally be free of the burden of her subterfuge. “My best friend, Samantha, is an orange seller in Mayfair. She is seeing one of the footmen for a prominent family, and before you ask, I shall not reveal his identity. It is because of him that she was able to… procure the pink dress and bonnet for me.”
This was interesting news. “Indeed?”
“Yes. The gown was supposed to be on the way to the dressmaker for repairs, but—” She worried her lower lip. “I’m afraid it was waylaid. I fear that the dress will not be presentable at all once I am able to return it.”
“I suppose the reason for the dress was?—”
“To gain your notice so that I could enact my original plan, yes.”
She appeared so chagrined that Elwood couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t just chuckle, but he let loose a grand wallop of deep stomach rumbles that had her glaring at him. “It’s not that funny.”
“Of course, it is!” he wheezed. “To imagine that I am rumored to be a rake worthy of ‘The Belle’s’ notice, and yet, I am waylaid by a woman in a dress that is not even her own. You must appreciate the irony in the entire situation.”
Her lips finally twitched. “I daresay when you put it that way it sounds a bit ridiculous.”
