Match For Melissa (18 page)

“But what purpose would this serve?” The duke’s voice was trembling slightly. “My dear Diana, I do not understand.”

Melissa choked back a sob. This was indeed, the most difficult moment of her life! “You must give me your vow or…or I shall never see you again.”

“Regina, my love, I will promise as you ask, if it means this much to you. But please tell me why, my darling.”

“I cannot.” Melissa’s eyes were swimming with tears as she whispered her answer. “Perhaps someday, when we are old and gray, but I beg of you never to mention it again.”

The duke nodded, giving his promise, and Melissa reached up to touch his cheek with her lips. Then slipped from his arms and fled through the garden on feet that did not feel the stab of sharp stones. She ran until she reached the safety of the servants’ entrance and then she took a moment to dry her eyes. When she felt that she was fully composed, she forced a smile and went to pick up the hamper that Henri had packed for her.

The ride through the deserted streets was an agony as she dared not give way to her tears. She bid Harley a pleasant evening and climbed the steps to the town house with legs that trembled with exhaustion. Mary was waiting, as she had expected, and Melissa gave her free reign to explore the hamper and partake of the delights within. Pleading exhaustion, she climbed the stairs and sought the privacy of her bedchamber.

It was not until after she had washed her face and changed to her night rail that Melissa released a shuddering sigh. Now
that she was safely ensconced in her own bedchamber, she could allow herself to give way to the full measure of her emotions.

The light from the candle on her bedside table was soft and soothing, but Melissa took no comfort from the cheerful little light. She extinguished it with a single breath and crawled under the covers to seek the comfort of a good cry. But when the chamber was as dark as a moonless night, Melissa found that she could not indulge in the time-honored release of tears. Her eyes were dry as she stared up at the darkness and vainly attempted to banish the duke’s memory from her mind. Melissa had heard said that if one experienced immense grief, tears would dry in the searing pain and could not fall from one’s eyes. Reluctantly, she came to the conclusion that this must be true. The pain that consumed her at the loss of her love had burned her tears away. She was certain that she had made the right decision to assure her stepsister’s happy future, but the price she had paid was very dear, indeed!

The duke was in great confusion as he rejoined the crush in the ballroom. Though he had considered it long and hard, he still did not glean the reason for Regina’s strange request. He had given his promise and as a gentleman, he was required to honor it. This he would do, but the mystery of why she had asked for his vow intrigued him greatly.

Robert located the lady in question in short order. She was seated next to her sister and Lord Chadwick and he approached the small party with some difficulty as he was waylaid by several of his guests who requested a word with him. Once he had observed a few moments of polite converse with each, he arrived at Regina’s side.

“I compliment you on your appearance.” The duke favored her with a smile that was slightly risqué. “The exertions of this evening do not seem to have affected you adversely.”

Regina returned his greeting with a calm and peaceful countenance. “You would not say as much, Duke, if you had observed
my dance with Lord Ulmann. I fear I was quite out of breath and immensely grateful when the music ended.”

The duke observed her closely, but no heightening of color stained her cheeks. As her gaze met his, there was no hint of the passion that they had shared only moments before.

“Shall we take a turn through the gardens, my dear?” The duke’s eyes glinted dangerously as he extended his arm.

“That would be most enjoyable.” Regina smiled and rose to her feet. “But I fear that we must observe the proprieties and first avail ourselves of a chaperone.”

The duke stifled the urge to throw back his head and laugh. He was most impressed with Regina. She was the pattern card of the proper young lady when they were in company and a passionate woman when they were alone. It was a combination he found utterly charming and he smiled as he turned to ask her sister and the viscount if they would accompany them.

Robert was not unaware of the picture they presented as the two couples crossed the room at a sedate pace and entered the gardens. Several of the old tabbies had been smiling behind their fans and
on-dits
would spread through the
ton
on the morrow. The young Duke of Oakwood had never been known to take leave of a party to stroll through the gardens with a young lady before. The
tendre
that all would assume he had formed for Regina would be the topic of conversation in dozens of drawing rooms, and the gentlemen at White’s would be laying down pounds for pence that he would declare for her before the Season was concluded.

“Are you quite all right, Duke?”

Robert turned to find Regina gazing up at him and he became aware of the bemused smile that had spread across his face. “I am most content, my dear. It is a lovely night, is it not?”

“It is lovely, indeed.” Regina smiled happily. “Your gardens are exquisite. I could not imagine a more beautiful setting. I should like it above all things if you would take us to your favorite spot.”

Robert grinned as he led them toward the marble bench and
the rolling green lawn where he had shared a kiss with his goddess Diana. What a little minx Regina was! If he had not come to know her so very well, he would swear that she had never set foot in this particular section of his gardens before!

It was when they were seated on the marble bench that Robert came to a decision. He would ask for Regina’s hand in marriage. She was perfection itself, and he found himself most eager to make her his duchess.

But how should such a proposal take place? Robert suspected that a simple declaration would not satisfy. Regina had made her tender feelings known to him in a most courageous way. She had slipped into his gardens most improperly unescorted, and invited him to waltz with her in the darkness. She had initiated their kiss and enjoyed it most passionately, declaring her love for him. This highly regarded and seemingly decorous young lady had flouted convention and risked censure from every member of the
ton.
It had been a daring ploy for one of so gentle a heart and it was only after she had elicited his promise never to speak of their interlude, that her modesty had returned.

Robert glanced at Regina, who was engaged in conversation with her sister and Chadwick, and sighed. It was clear that he must tender his proposal in a like manner, one that would captivate her sense of intrigue and romance. Perhaps it would aid him if he knew more of her preferences. He waited until there was a break in the conversation and then he turned to Regina.

“What is the one entertainment that you would like most to enjoy this Season? I wish to know the type of affair that would intrigue you the greatest.”

Regina considered it for a moment and then she smiled up at him. “I should very much like to attend a costume ball. Mama has told me of the splendid costumes and the grand unmasking at which prizes are awarded for the most beautiful and unusual attire.”

Robert smiled back, but his mind was busy. A costume ball
would be the perfect setting to tender his proposal. “Then you have never attended such a ball before?”

“No, and I do hope that one will be held this Season, and that I shall receive an invitation to attend.”

“What a fortuitous coincidence!” The duke’s eyes crinkled with mirth. “Just moments ago, I decided to host a costume ball.”

“Oh, how wonderful!” Regina clapped her hands together like a schoolgirl. “I do hope that you shall invite me to attend.”

“Gina!” Dorothea chided her gently.

“Please accept my apologies, Duke.” Regina’s voice was contrite. “It is just that I was so excited at the prospect of attending my first costume ball that I forgot myself.”

The duke laughed and patted her arm. “There is no need for apology, my dear girl, for I was about to ask if you would be my honored guest.”

“Oh, yes!” Regina’s voice was high and breathless. “I should be delighted!”

Robert smiled as they strolled back to the ballroom. His grand costume ball would be the pinnacle of the Season with hundreds of guests in their costumed finery and a buffet that would tempt even the most discriminating of palates. They would dance to the strains of the finest orchestra and enjoy excellent wines and spirits. Then, at the time of the unmasking, he would make his declaration for Regina in full hearing of all his guests. Such a spectacle was bound to please her and the
ton
would speak of his unique proposal for years to come.

“Are you intending a large affair?” Lord Chadwick inquired politely.

“Excessively large.” Robert smiled. “I plan to invite every member of the
ton
who is in residence for the Season.”

“It will be such a grand crush!” Dorothea’s voice was merry. “What think you, Gina? Shall I be an historical figure or a simple shepherdess?”

While the two ladies discussed costumes with Lord Chadwick, Robert chuckled softly in amusement. The moment the
news of his proposed ball was spread among the members of the
ton,
the odds would change at White’s. If he knew of a deserving, but destitute, lad, he would send him there with a purse tonight to make his fortune.

Melissa nodded as she sampled the lemon confection that Henri had made. “This is delicious, Henri. You must not hesitate to serve it at his grace’s ball.”

“If it pleases you so, why are you not smiling,
mon enfant?”
Henri’s gaze was anxious. “You have not smiled once in the time that you have been here. Are you feeling not quite the thing?”

Melissa frowned. “It is nothing of importance, Henri. I am a bit tired, that is all. The fact that I have failed to smile truly does not signify.”

“Perhaps it is the fault of
l’amour,
eh?” Henri leaned over to peer at her closely. “When one has formed a
tendre
for another and the other does not return this affection, one often fails to smile.”

A heated blush rose to Melissa’s cheeks and she shook her head quickly. “Oh, no, Henri. That is not at all the case! I have not formed a
tendre
for anyone.”

“I am grateful to hear you say that, for there is no one who is worthy of my Lissa.” Henri winked at her. “If you doubt my words, you must ask Harley, or Emmy, or Mr. Oliver, or even Mrs. Parker. We all are in complete agreement. Not even His Majesty, himself, would be a suitable match for our Lissa!”

Melissa laughed at Henri’s words. The little chef was doing his utmost to coax her out of her brown study, plying her with delicious tidbits from the kitchens and complimenting her to
the point of absurdity. She must shake herself from the doldrums and present a cheerful demeanor for those in the duke’s employ.

On the pretext of perusing the flower gardens to learn which varieties would bloom in time for the duke’s costume ball, Melissa made a hasty exit from Henri’s domain. There, in the lovely gardens, she could be safe from prying eyes until she had managed to compose herself. Melissa sank down on a bench near the roses and sighed as she drank in the sweet scent of their perfume. In less than a sennight, the duke’s costume ball would be a
fait accompli
and Regina would be his betrothed.

Melissa thought back to the day following the duke’s dinner party when Jane had summoned her for a private audience. Every word that her stepmother had spoken had added to Melissa’s distress.

It was the morning following the duke’s dinner party and Melissa had been summoned to Jane’s private sitting room. It was the first that Melissa had heard of the costume ball and her eyes were wide as Jane described it.

“It is to be the grandest event of the Season and I am to be his hostess again.” Jane’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “It will be held in two week’s time so we must begin the preparations immediately.”

Melissa nodded, but she barely managed to stifle a groan of distress. The prospect of another grand affair following so closely on the heels of the dinner party that Melissa had worked so arduously to arrange was daunting. Perhaps it would not be so difficult if her stepmother were willing to help, but Melissa was certain Jane would rely solely on her servant, Lissa, and not inconvenience herself in the slightest.

“It is to be a costume ball unlike any the
ton
has ever seen before.” Jane preened in front of the mirror, not unlike a peacock admiring his own plumage. “I am convinced that the Duke
of Oakwood intends to declare for Regina before the entire assembly.”

Melissa forced a smile, arranging her countenance in the manner that Jane expected. “That would be a wonderful occurrence, indeed, but what is it that makes you so certain?”

“He has asked Regina to be his honored guest.” Jane seated herself gracefully on the settee, smoothing her skirts around her. “The duke has hinted to me of a magnificent surprise that is to take place on that evening. What else could it be?”

Melissa fought to keep the pleasant expression on her face, as if the prospect of the duke declaring for Regina did not cause her heart to break even further. “I daresay you are correct. I can imagine no other surprise that would be as magnificent.”

“Regina must be dressed to perfection for the event.” Jane lowered her voice, as if she were imparting a delicious secret. “I have secured an appointment with Madame Beauchamp and that good woman has agreed to fashion a spectacular
ensemble,.
We shall consult with her on the morrow.”

Melissa nodded, trying not to betray her true emotions. While she was happy for her dear stepsister, a wave of longing for the man she had lost made her cast down her eyes lest her stepmother catch a hint of the sadness that consumed her.

“This is to be the grandest ball the
ton
has ever seen.” Jane’s excitement was evident in her heightened color and the way she clasped her hands. “Everyone who is come to London for the Season will receive an invitation.”