Match For Melissa (27 page)

When Melissa arrived at Oakwood House, she was weary and dispirited. Though she had followed the exact route she had taken the previous evening, she had found no trace of her missing earring.

“Lissa! Whatever is amiss?” Emmy rushed up to greet her friend, but after one look at Melissa’s distressed countenance, the smile quickly vanished from her face.

“I must see Mrs. Parker, Emmy. Would you be so kind as to find her for me? It is a matter of grave importance.”

Emmy nodded and pulled up a chair for her friend. “Your face is the color of snow, Lissa. You had best sit down while I fetch her.”

Mrs. Parker arrived in short order, wearing an expression of deep concern. “Emmy told me that you are overset, Lissa. Whatever is the matter?”

“I have lost one of my precious earrings!” Melissa’s voice was trembling and she took a moment to compose herself. “I did not discover that it was missing until I was back in my bedchamber last night. I searched there thoroughly, and this morning I retraced my steps to your door. But I…I failed to find it!”

Mrs. Parker took Melissa’s hands and squeezed them tightly. “You must not give up hope, Lissa. Do you remember when last you possessed it?”

“I…I am not certain!” Melissa sighed heavily.

Mrs. Parker thought for a moment. “Your earrings were both in place when you entered the ballroom. I remember noticing how lovely they looked in the light of the chandeliers.”

“And you were wearing them when you danced with his
grace. Emmy spoke up. “I was watching from the balcony. You had both when you went into the garden. I am certain of that!”

Melissa gave a small heartbroken cry. “My earring is gone then, just as I feared! If I lost it in the garden, it may never be found!”

“Of course it will, child.” Mrs. Parker patted Melissa on the shoulder. “I shall call the staff together and organize a search for your precious heirloom.”

Emmy nodded. “Mrs. Parker is right, Lissa. With that many searchers it is certain to be found. Did you bring your other earring?”

“Yes, it is in the bottom of my basket.” Melissa was surprised at Emmy’s question. “Why did you wish to know?”

“Many members of the staff did not see you in your costume. You must show them your other earring so that they will know precisely what they seek.”

“Well done, Emmy!” Mrs. Parker was beaming as she gestured for them to follow her. “Let us make haste to organize this search. We shall each take a small section of the garden and comb it thoroughly. Not a single blade of grass shall escape our notice. You shall see, Lissa. Our search shall be so meticulous, your missing earring will be certain to be found.”

Robert frowned as he rang, once again, for his valet. He had intended to don the appropriate clothing to call on Regina. It was early but he was certain that she would receive him. Once he had secured the guest lists, they would peruse them together to see if they contained any names they did not recognize. He rang another time and began to pace the floor anxiously. His valet had been unfailingly prompt in all his years of service. Where in tarnation was the man?

Deciding that there was nothing for it but to locate the gentleman’s gentleman himself, Robert opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. He found it deserted, which was also unusual. Not a sound reached his ears as he walked toward
the staircase. It was as if he were alone in the house. Had there been some type of crisis that had demanded the services of his entire staff? If so, why had he not been informed?

Fearing the worst, Robert hurried down the staircase but he found no one in attendance on the first floor. It was as if his entire staff had suddenly deserted him. What in blazes was going on?

As he passed through the entrance hall, he heard the sounds of approaching carriages. Robert glanced out one of the tall narrow windows that flanked the front door and frowned as he observed two carriages arriving. He recognized the first. It was his mother’s coach and it contained two occupants, the duchess and his sister, Lucy. A frown furrowed Robert’s brow. Why were they here, in London? He had just taken leave of them not two days past!

A second carriage arrived on the heels of the first and Robert’s frown deepened as he observed that the coachman was dressed in Lady Beckworth’s livery. Aunt Sarah was here, too. And with her was her cousin, Lady Jennings.

At that exact moment, Robert heard a commotion at the side of the house. He rushed to the Drawing Room to look out the French doors, and he was astounded to see his entire staff gathered in his gardens.

Robert hurried to the doors and threw them open, just in time to see his housekeeper hold up a mate to the earring he had found. The staff was gathered around her and they were all staring at the earring, as if they wished to memorize its design.

“We are searching for another, precisely like this one.” Mrs. Parker’s voice was commanding. “Lissa is certain that she lost it in the gardens and there is no time to waste. We shall search until we have found it!”

With a murmur of agreement, the staff dispersed. The head gardener directed them to various sections of the gardens and all were so intent on the task before them, none saw their master standing at the open doors with a shocked expression on his face.

“Lissa?” Robert breathed the question. If Lissa had lost the earring, then she was his Diana, the Princess of Winter! The woman he loved, the woman he could not live without, had been right under his nose at Oakwood House for the past two weeks, and now she was only a few steps away in his gardens!

Robert rushed from the Drawing Room and threw open the front door, calling out for his mother and the rest of her party to join him in the gardens. Then he raced up to his bedchamber to retrieve the earring and necklace and raced out to the gardens to find Lissa.

“Whatever was Robert doing, throwing open the door himself?” Lady Beckworth turned to her old friend with a frown.

The duchess began to smile. “I have not the slightest notion, Sarah, but nothing Robert does shall ever truly surprise me, not after the pranks he pulled as a boy. I suggest we do as he directed and go to the gardens straight away.”

After instructing their coachmen to drive round to the stables and see to their horses and equipages, the small party approached the door. It was fortunate that it was ajar for there was no one to grant them access.

“Where are the servants?” Lady Jennings surveyed the empty entrance hall with concern.

“They are obviously elsewhere.” The duchess looked amused as she turned to her daughter. “Take Lady Jennings’s cloak, Lucy, and find a convenient place for it. Sarah and I shall fend for ourselves.”

After the ladies had divested themselves of their outer garments, the duchess took Lady Beckworth’s arm. “Did you take notice of my son’s unusual manner of dress?”

“How could I
not
take notice?” There was an answering twinkle of amusement in Lady Beckworth’s eyes. “His shirt cuffs were not fastened correctly and it appeared to me that the buttons were in the wrong holes. And I am not certain, but I believe he had an untied cravat looped over his wrist.”

The duchess nodded. “You are precisely right, Sarah. Robert
was in a frightful state of disarray, as if he had hastily dressed himself and failed abysmally at the task. And he wore a most puzzling smile, very like the one he used to wear when I caught him pilfering cakes from the ledge where cook had placed them to cool.”

“It was a most mischievous smile, indeed.” Lady Beckworth laughed. “I have not seen Robert enjoy himself so since he assumed his father’s duties as the duke.”

Lucy nodded in complete agreement. “Robert did look supremely happy. What could be the cause of it, Mama?”

“I am not certain, Lucy, but I do believe I sense a scandal in the offing.”

“A scandal? How dreadful!” Lady Jennings fanned her face, her eyes wide with distress.

“You are doing it up too brown, cousin.” Lady Beckworth laughed merrily. “We are all aware that you adore a good scandal. Do not bother to pretend otherwise for we shall not believe you.”

Telling color rose to Lady Jennings’s cheeks and she gave an embarrassed laugh. “I fear you are right, cousin. But scandal is exciting, is it not?”

“It is, indeed.” Lucy giggled. “And I do believe Mama has the right of it. Robert is up to a good bit of mischief. Let us hurry to the gardens and see for ourselves.”

The duchess marched toward the Drawing Room, a happy smile on her face. “I do declare, Sarah. I have not had so much fun since the night we attempted to run away from Mrs. Scarborough’s Academy, intent upon becoming actresses!”

Melissa was searching the ground under a small hawthorne bush, when she became aware of the hush that had fallen over the garden. A moment later there was a shout, followed by a babble of excited voices.

“Lissa!” Mrs. Parker’s voice carried clearly to Melissa’s ears. “Come quickly! Your earring has been found!”

Melissa stood up and rushed toward the clearing where they had agreed to meet should her earring be recovered. Her steps slowed somewhat when she noticed Lady Beckworth and three other well-dressed ladies observing the process with some amusement.

“I am here, Mrs. Parker.” Melissa brushed off her dress hastily and approached the housekeeper. “Who found it?”

“I did.”

Melissa’s eyes widened as the crowd of servants parted slightly and she caught sight of the Duke of Oakwood. He was holding up her earring for all to see and smiling broadly.

“Your grace!” Melissa’s lips mouthed the words, but her voice was no more than a whisper. She stood there transfixed, staring at the glittering earring he held in his hand, her feet no longer capable of forward motion.

“Come to me, Lissa.”

The duke beckoned her forward but Melissa’s feet seemed affixed to the ground. Had the duke recognized her earring as one of the pair that the Princess of Winter had worn?

“Lissa?” The duke’s eyes were warm and they seemed to twinkle in the sunlight. “Come here and I will return your lovely earring.”

“Yes, your grace.” Her legs were trembling so violently, they felt like a pair of thin sticks in a fierce wind. Melissa somehow managed to make them obey her and crossed the clearing to approach him. She reached out to take the earring from his hand and that was when the Duke of Oakwood did something so completely unexpected that Melissa could do no more than gasp. He reached into his pocket, drew out a glittering blue diamond necklace, and quickly clasped it around her neck. And then he pulled her into his strong arms and kissed her in front of the whole assembly!

Melissa felt her knees weaken and dissolve the way Elise’s apple conserve had melted on freshly-baked bread. Her head spun in confused circles and she was only dimly aware of the shocked exclamations and the startled gasps that surrounded
her. Her confusion lasted for no more than a moment and then she gave way to the bliss that filled every portion of her soul.

Robert felt passion overtake him as she began to return his kiss. He had found his Diana and nothing would keep him from making her his wife. He wished with all his being that their kiss could continue forever, but he owed an explanation to his staff and his family.

Reluctantly, Robert released his Diana. He took the precaution of clamping one arm firmly around her waist to assure that she would not escape him again, and he turned to face the crowd that surrounded them. “Now that I have thoroughly comprised this lovely young lady, I fear she has no choice but to marry me.”

“You are bamming us, certainly!” Lady Jennings’s voice was quavering with shock. “Surely you cannot mean that you are declaring for Lady Harrington’s maid!”

Robert smiled. “But that is precisely what I am doing, Lady Jennings. I formally declare for this lovely young lady before this whole assembly. What say you, Mother? Will you indulge in an attack of the vapors and refuse to speak to me ever again if I marry dear Lissa?”

“Certainly not!” The duchess laughed. “You know that I have never given a button for social conventions! If you marry her, I shall welcome her as my daughter with open arms.”

Lucy smiled. “Well done, Mama. I, too, will welcome her, Robert, if she is the choice of your heart.”

“Aunt Sarah?” Robert turned to Lady Beckworth who was wiping a tear from her eye.

Lady Beckworth nodded quickly. “Of course I shall welcome her, Robert. And I shall do my utmost to assure that the
ton
does likewise.”

“And I shall do my part, also.” Lady Jennings spoke up. “I vow that I shall not breathe a word of what I have witnessed here today until you give me your leave.”

“That is a sacrifice indeed, Lady Jennings.” Robert favored her with a smile. And then he turned to his housekeeper. “Mrs.
Parker? I value your opinion and I wish to hear it. Will your staff accept Lissa as their new mistress?”

Mrs. Parker turned to her staff and one by one, they began to applaud. When they had quieted, Mrs. Parker nodded. “You have your answer, your grace.”

“Now that you have informed me of your true feelings, I must answer the question that is uppermost in your minds.” Robert smiled at them all. “Lady Harrington’s daughter released me from my obligations last evening after we both had confessed that we loved another. My dearest friend, Regina, is to marry her young parson who is soon to become the vicar of Oakwood.”

“Can this be true?” Melissa’s voice was only a whisper but the duke heard her and nodded. A smile of joy spread over Melissa’s face and she knew she had never been so happy. Regina was to marry the Reverend Mr. Watson! And he would be the vicar of Oakwood!

“Regina also confessed that Lissa is the daughter of Lord Harrington.”

“Then Lissa is not a servant?” Lady Jennings looked greatly relieved when the duke shook his head. “But for what purpose did Lady Harrington introduce her as such?”

“Lissa must tell you the reason if she wishes to do so. It is not my secret to tell. And now, if you will all indulge me, I must have an answer from my intended bride.” Robert knelt down on the grass, keeping a firm grip on Lissa’s hand. “Will you marry me, my darling Lissa? Or would you prefer that I compromise you more thoroughly, right here in my gardens?”