Elwood had some things to do before he could offer himself to Meliah without any restraint. He was grateful that some of the attention regarding his notorious status as Rake of the Month had dimmed, so that he could leave the sanctuary of his townhouse without getting bombarded by half of society’s irate females.
He spoke with his solicitor and once the arrangements had been made, he headed for Mayfair. He didn’t know the name of Meliah’s parents’ shop, but he knew an orange seller who did.
He did a bit of asking around, but it didn’t take him long to find someone named Samantha, who soon confirmed she was Meliah’s friend. She was a plain girl with brown hair, and as he approached her, her welcoming expression hardened.
“Good day, madam. My name is?—”
“I know who you are, Lord Belmont,” she returned stiffly. “If you are here about Meliah, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
He frowned. “Please, I must know where to find her.”
She glanced around to make sure they weren’t being overheard, and then she hissed, “You would do well to leave her alone. She has a chance to get over you and move on. She is to be married and?—”
He instantly held up a hand. “Wait. What did you say?”
Her brown eyes narrowed with a wary glint. “Meliah is betrothed. Matthew is a kind man and will treat her well, unlike you, who only wants?—”
“You misunderstand,” he snapped. “Wewant the same thing—Meliah’s happiness. I think I can give that to her.” He stopped himself. “IknowI can give her that. But not if I don’t have a chance to plead my case.”
The girl crossed her arms. “Why should I help you when it has taken you this long to figure out if you care for her or not?”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Suffice it to say I’ve never been in this position before. Neither do I intend to confess my life to you in the middle of the street where anyone might hear, but I will do it if that is what it takes.”
For an instant, she continued to glare at him, but she eventually softened. “Brick Lane. Number 17?—”
She hadn’t finished speaking before Elwood was rushing off. He climbed into his phaeton which was waiting a short distance away, grabbed the reins and headed for Spitalfields.
He found his way to Brick Lane and inspected each of the faded signs before he spied Number 17. He didn’t waste time making his way to the front of the establishment and pushing his way inside.
When he stepped over the threshold, the first thing he heard was the unmistakable, clanking sound of a loom. There was also the scent of various dyes permeating in the air. Having never been into a weaver’s shop, it took him a moment to recall why he was there.
Meliah.
There was a pause in the rhythmic motion of the loom as a small, statuesque woman came into view. She wore a simple cap over her hair and a welcoming smile, but it was the greeneyes that captured his attention. They were exactly like her daughter’s.
“Mrs. Newton?”
She looked surprised. “Yes, sir?”
He removed his hat and set it to his side. “I was hoping to speak with Miss Newton. Is she here?”
Rather than reply, she looked behind her, where a man of average height and build appeared. He had faded brown hair and a direct gaze. Again, Elwood was reminded of Meliah, most notably the first time they’d spoken—when she’d accosted him in his bedchamber. “Might I ask your business with my daughter?” he asked.
Something told Elwood that Meliah hadn’t said anything to her parents about him. “I was wanting to speak with her about a prospective… position.”
Mr. Newton nodded his head, although his expression wasn’t entirely confident that he believed his claim. Elwood didn’t care, so long as he found Meliah. “I’m sure she would be interested, but she has just become recently engaged. She may not have time for what you have in mind.”
Elwood could feel panic starting to set in. “I should still like to speak with her if you will but tell me where she is.”
Her father glanced at his wife and then seemed to make a decision. “They went for a walk, but should be back momentarily.”
Elwood inclined his head and then returned his hat to his head. “Thank you, Mr. Newton.”
With that, he turned on his heel and went outside to wait.
Meliah hada slight smile on her face as she conversed with her betrothed. It was so strange to think of the solemn man beside her as her future husband. Of course, the more time she spent with Matthew, the more she was able to convince herself that he would be a good man to spend the rest of her days with.
He wasn’t devastatingly handsome like Lord Belmont, but neither did he seem to be the type to stray when the years passed and they grew weary with one another. He was considerate, offering his arm to her as they walked, but after he asked permission to do so. She had no doubt that he would be a caring lover as well, regardless if the idea of laying with anyone other than Elwood made her sick to her stomach.
