“She’s lovely. And very young.”
“A mere child to you, I imagine, Grandpa.”
“Enough.” Gene laughed. “This is a dull affair. Shall we indulge in a game of billiards?”
“Best suggestion all evening. A quick one. I intend to go home when I can draw Carrie away. Her friends talk as if they haven’t seen each other for a year when it was only last week.” He sighed. “It may take some time.”
*
Mellie found abedchamber where she could bathe the sore spot on her arm where Pallthorpe had pinched her. He had threatened her and said horrible things, accused her of being a cold fish, whatever that meant. Well, he did make her feel cold all over. She tamped down a shiver when she remembered the fierce look in his eyes. Her face looked pale in the mirror, her lips firm because she feared she would cry. The temptation to tell her mother was stronger than ever. But if she did, her parents would be forced to turn down Pallthorpe’s suit. And while she wanted that with all of her heart, her papa needed this marriage. He had been in such low spirits. She simply couldn’t do it to them.
But she vowed not to let Pallthorpe browbeat her, although she feared that once they married, he would become even worse. Mellie wouldn’t let that happen. She’d made a plan to run away to her aunt’s home in Scotland where Pallthorpe couldn’t find her.
Mellie tidied her hair and left the room before her mother missed her. She had seen the duke, although they had not spoken. Although she desperately wanted to go to him, she held back. His gray eyes missed little. He would guess her distress, and he might intervene. It would cause a terrible scandal, which would embarrass him and her parents. She tried to pull her sleeve down over the red mark on her arm and left the room.
She was pleased not to see Pallthorpe as she entered the busy drawing room. The French doors stood open, and guests were out on the terrace enjoying the evening air. Mellie passed them and hurried down the steps into the garden. She walked along the garden paths, meeting a couple who told her she simply must see the grotto.
A little time alone was all she needed to fortify herself. She walked on until she came to the artistic arrangement of rocks where water flowed into a pool. A rock wall surrounded it, and she sat down, staring at the ripples in the water.
“Are you all right, Lady Mellicent?”
She turned. He stood above her, looking every inch the duke in his black evening clothes. The concern in his eyes made her feel guilty. “Your Grace. I wanted to see the grotto. How picturesque it is. See how the water flows down through that break in the rock? I think it’s terribly clever.” She paused, aware she was prattling on, and that her cheerful act wouldn’t fool him.
He threw up his long coat tails and sat beside her, making her aware of his body, his reassuring male smell. “Very. But why come alone?” His voice was deep and troubled.
Mellie looked around the grotto and the surrounding gardens, avoiding him. “I like to be by myself sometimes. Don’t you?”
“I do sometimes. But a young woman needs to be careful.”
“Careful of what?” She turned to him. His gaze searched her face and rested on her mouth. For a moment, there was only the sound of water flowing into the pool.Kiss me, she urged silently. Then it will be all right. Then I’ll know.
A group of guests emerged from the shrubbery, their loud laughter trailing off when they saw them.
“I must go back,” Mellie murmured. She stood quickly and hurried away, fearful she would compromise the duke.
He remained to speak to them. Their voices followed her along the path. He intended to distract them, she thought, filled with love for him as she mounted the steps onto the terrace.
Her mother appeared, looking anxious. “Where have you been, Mellie? Your father wants to leave.”
“I went to see the grotto.”
“With Pallthorpe?”
“No. By myself.”
“You wandered around the gardens on your own?” Her mother moaned. “I left you in the drawing room with Lord Pallthorpe. I’m sure I don’t know what to do with you of late. I can’t take my eyes from you for a moment, it seems.”
“I’m sorry, Mama. Pallthorpe went off somewhere. And I don’t know these people.”
Her mother took her arm. “Never mind, Mellie. Tell me all about the grotto when we’re in the carriage. I would like to see it. But once your father makes his mind up, that is it.”
Mama was happy to let her father have his way. And that was the way her life would be, too, Mellie knew. Only far worse because she was to marry a monster. “Mama, do you like Pallthorpe?” she asked as they went to get their reticules and pelisses.
“Yes, of course. He is always very agreeable. I can’t imagine why you seem so cool with him, my dear. You are nervous about marriage. It is perfectly understandable. But just think. You shall live close to us. You will need me close by when you have a baby, as your sister did.” She frowned. “But Gordon is intent on taking Katherine to live in Scotland.”
As the carriage bore them to their townhouse, Mellie tamped down a shiver at the thought of giving birth to another Pallthorpe.
Chapter Five
