Match For Melissa (10 page)

“Lady Harrington,” Robert turned to her with a smile. “I should like to request permission to call upon your daughter, Regina.”

Lady Harrington’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she nodded. “You will be most welcome, Duke.”

“You may expect me tomorrow morning if that is acceptable.”

“Most acceptable.” Lady Harrington motioned for her daughters to enter the carriage. “Until tomorrow then.”

Robert glanced at Regina, hoping for a smile or some small signal that this plan met her approval, but she steadfastly refused to meet his gaze. It was apparent that his Diana was most reticent in the company of her mother and sister, and Robert vowed to spirit her away at the first opportunity so that they might continue the delightful conversation they had shared on the balcony.

Melissa was waiting in her bedchamber when her stepmother and stepsisters came home from the ball. A tea service with two cups sat on the table by the fire in preparation. Melissa hoped that Regina would tap on her door again, desirous of a comfortable coze so that she could discuss the ball. If fortune favored her, Regina might describe the gentlemen who had attended the ball and Melissa could learn the name of her charming partner on the balcony.

Jane sounded in good spirits as she bid her daughters goodnight and Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. Regina and Dorothea must have acted in accordance with her expectations. The two sisters conversed for a brief moment and then the anticipated knock sounded on Melissa’s door.

“Come in, Gina.” Melissa pulled open the door. “I was hoping you would come to tell me of the ball.”

Regina smiled and settled into one of the two chairs that flanked the grate. “But you were there, Lissa…at least in the beginning.”

“This is true.” Lissa laughed and poured a cup of tea for her stepsister. “I spent the greatest share of my time in the hall and saw nothing more exciting than Lady Farleigh pulling loose a button from her pelisse.”

Regina’s countenance sobered quickly. “I’m so sorry, Lissa. You should have been a guest at Lady Beckworth’s ball. Indeed, it was only by trading on your father’s rank and position that Dorothea and I were invited to attend. Mama may very well delude herself into believing that we would have been accepted on our own merits, but I fear she is sadly mistaken. And to make matters even more inequitable, it is her continued extravagance that keeps you from taking your rightful place in society.”

“Let us not worry about those matters which we cannot control.” Melissa reached out to pat her stepsister’s hand.

“You are so good, Lissa.” Regina sighed again. “Whenever I attend an entertainment or assembly, I am keenly aware that I am assuming the position of an impostor by taking your place.
If our positions were reversed, I fear I should be filled with hatred and envy.”

Melissa shook her head. “No one who knows you as I do could ever suspect you of harboring any but the purest of emotions. And you are indeed a goose, Gina, if you entertain the notion that I am jealous of your good fortune.”

Regina reached out to hug her stepsister. “I did have good fortune tonight, Lissa, though I am at a loss to understand it. The Duke of Oakwood asked Mama for permission to call upon me.”

“The Duke of Oakwood?” Melissa tucked her feet up and settled back to listen. “Tell me of him, Gina.”

Regina sighed happily. “He is the pattern card of a handsome and sophisticated gentleman, every mother’s dream of a match for her daughter, and every young lady’s aspiration. Why he should have chosen me, I have not the slightest notion.”

“You sell yourself too cheaply, Gina.” Melissa gently admonished her stepsister. “You have many qualities that a man of his stature should admire.”

“I should be hard pressed to name one.”

Melissa was not surprised at the skeptical tone of her stepsister’s voice. Regina was modest to a fault. “Then I shall name them and you shall listen.”

“Please do not.” The color rose in Regina’s cheeks.

“But I insist. Truly you are a paragon, Gina! You are loving, devoted, obedient, and most sensible to the emotions of others.” Melissa stopped speaking suddenly and clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Oh, dear! I did not intend to make you sound like a…a loyal dog!”

Both girls fell into a fit of the whoops that did not abate for some moments. When they had again composed themselves, Melissa continued in the same vein. “The duke would not have asked to call on you if his interest had not been engaged. It stands to reason that some action of yours must have apprised him of your good character. Think on it, Gina. What was the thrust of your conversation when you stood up with him?”

“I did not stand up with him. He danced with others, but never with me.”

Melissa frowned thoughtfully. “Perhaps Dorothea said something that piqued his interest in you?”

“He did not speak with Dorothea. We were introduced quite formally by Lady Beckworth, and then she took him off to another introduction. Prior to his approach to us at the conclusion of the ball, we had not exchanged more than a word with him.”

Melissa considered this for a moment and then she shrugged. “Someone of his acquaintance must have paid you a compliment that caused him to wish to know you further. Do you remember what he said when he spoke with your mother?”

“Yes. He said that he had wished to speak with us further, but had not been afforded the opportunity.”

“And your mother was flattered by his attention?”

Regina laughed. “She was more than flattered. The moment Mama realized who he was, her eyes gleamed like those of a starving child gazing into a gingerbread stall. Even if the duke calls upon me but once, Mama’s status with the
ton
will increase.”

“Then your mother is delighted with this turn of events, but she is as puzzled as you are by the duke’s interest in you?”

“Yes. It is indeed strange, Lissa. He paid me no attention at the ball. I dare say he did not even notice me. And later, when he came up to converse with us, the only words he spoke to me were to compliment me on my appearance. I have you to thank for that, Lissa.”

Melissa smiled. “Did I not tell you that you looked beautiful?”

“You did, but I did not put much stock in your compliment. I assumed that you were merely attempting to give me courage for the ordeal ahead. And to think that I had anticipated this particular ball with dread! It was truly wonderful, Lissa. Mama did not scold me once during our journey home!”

“That gives me reason to think kindly of the duke.” Melissa
smiled. “His request to call upon you has saved you from your mother’s reprimand.”

Regina smiled back, but suddenly an anxious expression spread over her countenance. “I had almost forgot to tell you, Lissa. Mama is writing a list of tasks for you. She will leave them on the table in her sitting room and she asks that you accomplish them in the early morning.”

“I shall be certain to do so.”

“I fear the duke’s visit will make more work for you, Lissa.” Regina appeared concerned. “Mama is all in a flutter concerning the arrangements and she will wish everything be done to perfection.”

Melissa nodded. “I do not mind, Gina. And rest assured, I shall do my best to make certain that the duke is properly entertained.”

When Regina left to go to her own bedchamber, Melissa sat thoughtfully for a moment. Unlike Jane and Regina, she did not find it strange that the duke had requested permission to call upon her stepsister. Regina was a proper young lady with a sweet temperament, a keen intelligence, and a kind heart. If the duke had recognized her worth and it was the source of his interest, Melissa had every intention of treating him with the highest regard. Any gentleman who was kind and attentive to Regina would find favor with her.

After another few moments of contemplation, Melissa arose and made ready for bed. She extinguished the candles, crawled under the covers, and sighed up into the shadows. Tomorrow would be a busy day. Lord Chadwick was expected to call upon Dorothea and the duke was arriving to pay his respects to Regina. Once the other young gentlemen realized that her stepsisters had gained the attention of such exalted personages, they would flock to their house in droves. Regina and Dorothea would be inundated with visitors and such an event could not suit Melissa more. With calls from so many members of the
ton,
she might be fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of the gentleman who had danced with her on the balcony after all!

“If you have no further need of me, miss, I’ll begin the dusting now.”

“Go ahead, Mary.” Melissa turned to their maid-of-all-work with a smile. “I can finish these cakes by myself.”

Melissa was in the kitchen, standing beside a table littered with bowls and supplies. Jane had asked her to bake lemon seed cakes and Melissa was complying with her stepmother’s request. The recipe lay on the counter and Melissa glanced down at it to make certain that she had followed the instructions exactly and missed none of the ingredients. A note that had been added at the end of the instructions made her smile. This recipe had belonged to Elise, their family cook, who had retired when Lord Harrington had taken Jane for his wife. Melissa’s own mother had brought Elise to Harrington Manor from her family home and Melissa harbored many happy memories of the hours she’d spent in the kitchen with Elise, watching her prepare the excellent food that had been served at their table.

Elise had been in the habit of writing notes on all of her recipes and this one was no exception. It said, “These cakes are Lissa’s favorites. Remind her not to eat too many, else she will no longer fit through the little manor’s door.”

Melissa gave a happy laugh as she read the words. She had been exceedingly fond of the lemon cakes and only Elise’s admonition regarding her little manor house had kept her from taking more than her share. Her mother had designed a playhouse
for her, a miniature replica of Harrington Manor. Lord Harrington had engaged a carpenter to build it from the sketches Melissa’s mother had made and they had given it to Melissa on her fourth birthday. Young Melissa had been enthralled with this child-sized version of her home and she could still remember her cries of delight when she had spied it under a tree in the garden. She had spent many pleasant hours ensconced in her playhouse, entertaining her dolls with tea parties and banquets, and dreaming of the day when she would grow up to be mistress of her own grand manor.

After a final stirring of the batter, Melissa prepared it for baking. She had no sooner put the cakes on the baking shelf when Regina appeared in the kitchen doorway. Her cheeks were flushed with high color and she looked very excited, indeed.

“Which dress would you advise me to wear, Lissa? The duke will be here in less than two hours.”

Melissa considered it for a moment. “I should choose the sprigged muslin, Gina. It will do very well for a morning call. If you could find Mary and ask her to press it, I will come to arrange your hair just as soon as these cakes are baked.”

“You are making your lemon seed cakes!” Regina smiled as she sniffed the air appreciatively. “Oh, thank you dear Lissa! I do love them above all things. And the duke will be so impressed with the quality of our refreshments!”

Melissa laughed. “I am certain that the duke has tasted lemon seed cakes before.”

“Perhaps, but all others pale in comparison. It will be a test of my will to enjoy only one, but I would not have the duke think me greedy. When the refreshments are served, you must sit by my side and keep me from taking a second.”

“I will put a plate aside for us to enjoy later.” Melissa smiled at her stepsister. “But I cannot sit by your side, Gina. Your mother has asked that I serve the refreshments.”

“You are to be our waiting maid?” Regina began to frown.

“I fear that I have been bested by my own cleverness, Gina. By passing myself off as your mother’s servant to Lady Beckworth,
I am now obliged to assume that position for the entire Season.”

“But why?” Regina looked dismayed. “Surely none of the guests who attended Lady Beckworth’s ball will remember who took their cloaks.”

Melissa sighed and shook her head. “There is one who will remember me well. It seems the duke was so impressed with the flower arrangements in the ballroom, he asked Lady Beckworth who had done them. That kind lady pointed me out to him, and she confided to your mother that he took careful note of my appearance.”

“This is most unfortunate!” Regina’s frown deepened. “And it is also most unfair! Could we not make a clean breast of it to the duke? From all I have heard, he is a kind man. Surely he will not give us away!”

“Your mother would never agree to any action that might jeopardize her good standing with the
ton.
There is naught to be done about it now, Gina. It is exactly as Mr. Shakespeare wrote; I have been hoisted on my own petard.”

Somehow everything was accomplished in time. When Jane, Dorothea, and Regina were seated in the Drawing Room, prepared to receive their first callers, Melissa took up her position at the door. She did not have long to wait.

Lord Chadwick was the first to arrive. Melissa relieved him of his stylish coat and escorted him to the Drawing Room where Dorothea was eagerly awaiting his company. She had not much opportunity to converse with Lord Chadwick on the short journey to the Drawing Room, but Melissa was impressed with his kindly, almost paternal manner. She had no doubt that the servants in his home were a happy lot as the viscount seemed inclined to treat his social inferiors with both kindness and civility.

Only a few moments passed before there was another knock at the door. When Melissa opened it to give access to the gentleman
who was standing there, her face drained of color and her limbs grew suddenly weak. A wave of dizziness threatened to overwhelm her senses, and it was all she could do to force her trembling hands to receive his coat. He was the same handsome stranger who had danced with her on the balcony and Melissa’s heart fell as he introduced himself. The man of her dreams was none other than the Duke of Oakwood. And he had come here not to seek her out, but to court her stepsister, Regina!