“No, Abbersley. Let us deal with this matter and go home.”
Papa patted Mellie’s cheek, his expression hard to read. “We shall deal with it, won’t we, Poppet?”
He hadn’t called Mellie that since she was a child. He looked more thoughtful than angry, and even a little ashamed.
The duke approached her. His eyes searched hers. “It is I who must apologize, Lady Mellicent. I should have handled the situation better. I trust you are not too upset?”
“Of course not. I thought you were wonderful. Pallthorpe deserved a thrashing.” She hadn’t meant to say it. She darted a glance at her father, who shook his head.
A smile twitched the duke’s lips. He reached out and took her hands. “Lady Mellicent, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Mellie gasped. He was so handsome, so utterly adorable. She wanted to with all her heart. She had dreamed of little else.But she couldn’t. She just couldn’t.
“No, Your Grace. I’m sorry. But thank you so very much for asking me.” Her chest squeezed. Running out of breath, she gazed at the floor, unable to look into his eyes to judge his expression. Surely it would be a relief not to be placed in such a dreadful position?
Her mother gasped. “Mellie!”
“Take Mellie home, Honoria,” her father said. “The duke and I must talk.”
As they left the room, Mellie glanced back at the duke. She didn’t think he looked relieved at all but rather grim. He hadn’t wanted to marry her. Not really. He was being gallant, as her mother had said. It was true, although he hadn’t fallen in love at first sight, she had foolishly hoped he would still fall madly in love with her, given time. But she’d merely amused him because she was young and outspoken. And she refused to become a burden to him. For him to be forced to marry her and live with regret.
A horrible thought struck her. Would her father now be forced to turn to Pallthorpe to rescue her from scandal and him from his debts? Her knees sagged.
“Come along, dear.” Her mother slipped an arm around her as they made their way to the front door. The merry sounds from the ballroom reached her: the music, the dancing, and the laughter. As if nothing momentous had just happened to change her life irrevocably.
“Why did you refuse him, Mellie?” Mama asked when they settled in the carriage. “I thought you wanted to marry Chandos? Did his violence scare you?”
“Oh no. The duke isn’t a violent man, Mama. Everyone knows that. He was defending me.”
“Then why? You seem very fond of him.”
“I am.” Mellie felt too tired to explain. She wanted to sleep for a hundred years. “I can’t talk about it now, Mama.”
“You are exhausted. We’ll pack up and go home to the country. You’ll feel better there.”
Cold dread flowed through her veins. “Mama? Will Papa insist I marry Pallthorpe?”
“No, he will not.”
“Are you sure?”
“I won’t have it, Mellie. And I’m sure your father won’t either.” She sighed. “We shall manage without Pallthorpe. Somehow.”
“What happened to Papa’s finances, Mama?”
“A good deal of your father’s money is tied up in trade. A shipment of muslins, silks, and spices from India went down with the ship in a storm near Calcutta. There’s a dispute with Lloyd’s, who have refused to pay the insurance.”
“But perhaps it will be settled?”
“There is still hope, my dear.” Mama reached across and tucked a loose lock of Mellie’s hair back behind her ear. “An answer to our prayers will come along. I’m sure.”
Chapter Six
As Gene madehis way home in the carriage, he admitted he wasn’t sure who he was anymore. He’d never resorted to violence to solve a problem in his life. He was a rationalist, employing the wisdom learned from years of tutelage and the books he read. Better surely to talk to Pallthorpe, reason with him. Not resort to his fists. But seeing him grip Mellicent’s arm and the distress on her face, a red mist wafted over his eyes, and before he knew it, he’d struck the man down. He should be ashamed. But he’d relished the look of pained surprise on the bully’s face, and his fingers had curled into his palms, ready to hit him again. There was definitely no hope for him. He shook his head regretfully. If only Harry had been there to see it.
He sighed and looked out the window at the halo of light around the street lamps. But Mellie, as her parents had called her, didn’t want him.
When Abbersley agreed to Gene’s suit, he had expected to feel alarm and the weight of responsibility descend on him. Instead, the new Gene wanted Mellicent with every breath he took. Her refusal had crushed him.
