‘Believe me, Melissa, the press, along with the malicious tongues of society, are capable of damaging any relationship. I think we should accept the invitation.’
‘Show a united front, you mean.’
‘Something like that. As my wife you will have to face society some time. You will meet and make the acquaintance of many of my friends, which will be a good thing, for we must go out into society and return their hospitality as it would be an advantage to you. It is also important to me that we put the right face on our relationship so I suggest the sooner we are seen together the better.’
‘And you think attending a ball is the solution? I will attend, but with everyone talking about me it will be a nightmare. I shall encounter curious strangers who will watch my every move, searching for something else to gossip about.’
‘You can do it. I have every faith in you.’ He spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.
‘And it doesn’t concern you that I shall be flayed alive by wagging tongues?’
Unbelievably he laughed outright at that. ‘Not a bit. The ball will be a complete crush, which will be to your advantage. You’ll survive.’
‘And I have no doubt that you will enjoy every minute of my suffering,’ she muttered.
‘I may be many things, Melissa, but I am neither cruel nor sadistic. Be assured that I will not leave your side all night—unless you really do feel that you cannot face it. I will not force you to go.’
‘No.’ She was adamant. ‘How pathetic and desperate that would seem. I am fully aware that in the eyes of the ton I am a shameless wanton and unfit to mingle in polite society. I may have broken all the rules governing moral conduct, but I have no intention of hiding away for ever.’
Laurence gazed across at his wife, her face flushed with the heat of the day and the thought of facing society at a grand ball. He felt admiration for her honesty and courage in admitting her fear over the coming event and her determination to face it out.
‘Your case is extreme, I grant you. Normally social prejudices exclude young women who have transgressed from the ton—not that you were aware of that or would care one iota if you did, when you willingly gave yourself to me in the Spring Gardens. But for what it’s worth, you won’t be alone. Antony and Eliza will be there also to give their support. You cannot imagine the influence we will have.’ With a reassuring grin he explained, ‘I do have enormous consequence and I will not permit anyone to say an unkind word against you.’
‘Thank you. That’s reassuring to know.’
‘As my wife these are the people you will have to associate with and it is absolutely imperative to me that you learn to get on with them, which is why it is important that we socialise.’
‘As the wife of such a high-profile figure, I realise I must conform. I am not complaining. I will yield to the temptation to allow myself to enjoy the evening, which already holds the promise of enchantment.’
Laurence arched his dark brows and eyed her with dry amusement. He liked her use of the word conform. Dare he hope she would be willing to conform in other areas of their marriage before too long? ‘The object is to brave it out. You have spirit enough for that. As my wife, no one will dare disrespect you. I will not have my wife being a social outcast.’ He grinned suddenly as he appraised his wife. ‘No one will dare give you the cut direct in front of Eliza. She can be quite formidable and will terrify everyone into accepting you.’
Melissa found herself responding to his smile which she returned. ‘But what to wear? I suddenly find that I have so many sumptuous gowns to choose from that I shall have to consult Eliza to help me.’
Laurence was already imagining her attired in such a way that she would outshine the rest. ‘Normally I would advise glamour in favour of subdued elegance, but since it’s your first outing we don’t want to go over the top. I’m sure between the two of you that you will find something exquisite.’ A frown suddenly creased his brow as a thought occurred to him. ‘You do dance, don’t you, Melissa?’
She laughed. ‘Of course I can dance. That was one thing my mother insisted upon me being taught, so worry not, Laurence, I won’t disgrace myself or you by making a hash of it on the dance floor—although it’s quite a while since I practised so you will have to watch your toes.’
‘Have you visited your Aunt Grace, by the way? You told me she lives in Kensington.’
‘Not yet, but I thought I might pay her a call in a day or two.’
‘When you decide to go you must let me know. I would like to meet her.’
Pleased that he wanted to meet her extended family her face broke into a smile. ‘I would like that—and I know Aunt Grace would love to meet you, too.’
‘Then go ahead and inform her of our visit.’
* * *
It was a brilliant, warm day when Melissa ordered the servants to have one of the horses saddled while she changed into her riding habit. It was the day Antony and Eliza had offered to take her riding in Hyde Park and she’d been looking forward to it enormously.
Pulling on her gloves as she crossed the hall, she was pleasantly surprised to encounter Laurence. Looking extremely fetching in a sapphire-blue riding dress, with a matching hat cocked at an impudent angle atop bunches of delectable curls that bounced delightfully when she moved her head, she stopped in front of him.
The heat of his gaze travelled the full length of her in a slow, appreciative perusal, before making a leisurely inspection of her face upturned to his.
‘I’ve just been round to the stables. It had almost slipped my mind that it’s today you are to ride out with Antony and Eliza until the groom told me you had instructed him to saddle one of the horses. You look lovely, by the way—enough to outshine all the fashionable ladies you will see in the park.’
‘Are you coming with us?’ she asked.
‘I wasn’t going to, but I changed my mind.’
‘Oh—please don’t feel that you have to.’
‘I want to. Why should my wife have all the fun, I asked myself? Come, we’ll go to the stables together and I’ll introduce you to the horse I’ve chosen for you.’
Melissa followed, looking at Laurence admiringly, thinking how attractive he was, with his darkly handsome face and the breeze lightly ruffling his shiny black hair. With a tall hat tucked underneath his arm, he was resplendent in an impeccably tailored dark brown riding coat. His gleaming white neckcloth was perfectly tied and his narrow hips and muscular thighs were encased in buff-coloured breeches, disappearing into highly polished tan riding boots.
Melissa hadn’t been to the stables before. Grooms were hard at work cleaning stalls and grooming horses, of which there were many. Some of the men tipped their hats politely to her when she appeared. Taking her elbow, Laurence propelled her towards a snowy white mare an elderly groom was holding.
‘This is Ben. He’s been with us for more years that I care to remember. He’s in charge of the yard and making sure everything runs like clockwork,’ he explained.
‘I’m pleased to meet you, Ben. Riding is one of my greatest pleasures so I imagine we will be seeing much of each other.’ She gave Ben a friendly smile, casting her eye down the long row of stalls. ‘I have no doubt you have your work cut out with so many horses to look after.’
Ben’s face compressed into a multitude of wrinkles as he grinned at her. ‘We manage nicely, Lady Maxwell.’
‘Let me introduce you to Lady. Lady is to be your mount for today,’ Laurence told her. ‘She’s a reliable mount that I’m sure you’ll enjoy taking out for your first tour of the park.’ Standing back, he looked at her. ‘Now, give me your opinion of her.’
‘I’ll be able to do that when I’ve ridden her. What is your opinion of her, Ben?’
‘She’s a good horse, my lady,’ he said, scratching his head. ‘She’s a gentle mount—level-headed and sure-footed. She won’t let you
down.’
‘I’m relieved to hear it.’
The mare rubbed her head against her, her soft dark eyes alive with intelligence. She stroked the velvety nose as Lady blinked her large eyes, arching her elegant neck and nickered softly, relishing the attention. Ben handed the reins to Laurence and went to fetch His Lordship’s horse. Melissa wrinkled her nose at the saddle with distaste, having forgotten she would be required to ride side-saddle.
‘I’d rather not be seated on that, but for decency’s sake, I suppose I must. Although how on earth anyone can be expected to communicate with the horse on that, let alone stay on, is a mystery to me. I shall probably become unseated at the first hurdle—which I have no doubt you will blame on my poor horsemanship and not the saddle.’ Peering askance at her grinning husband, who she was beginning to suspect was finding some humour in her apparent aversion, Melissa smiled gingerly. ‘If I take an undignified tumble, I am sure it will fill Your Lordship with morbid delight,’ she retorted tartly.
Laurence laughed. ‘Heaven forbid! I imagine you are too good a horsewoman to do that. All the other ladies seem to manage it. Don’t tell me you have never ridden side-saddle?’
‘Not if I can help it,’ she replied, running her hand over Lady’s glossy flank. The horse tossed her head in appreciation of her touch.
‘If you’re afraid to ride Lady side-saddle—if it’s more than you can handle—simply say so,’ he suggested generously, a lazy, challenging, taunting smile tugging at his firm lips.
Melissa merely glowered at him, affronted that he should dare suggest such a thing. ‘I love to ride—but this silly saddle will take all the pleasure out of it. Still...’ she sighed out loud ‘...it’s a serious handicap, I confess, but because I have no wish to embarrass you and drive you to murderous fury today by insisting that the saddle be changed, I suppose if I am to play the game by society’s rules then I have no alternative but to get used to it.’
‘Very sensible. I’m happy that you’re beginning to see things my way,’ Laurence said with a wicked grin.
She scowled at him. ‘Don’t count on it. Does Lady have any peculiarities that I should know about before I risk life and limb?’
Laurence lifted an eyebrow lazily. ‘She’s as docile as a lamb.’
Melissa wasn’t overly thrilled with all the reassurances she was receiving. ‘Not too docile, I hope.’ There was such a thing as being too docile, which usually meant boring. ‘Come, help me into this monstrous instrument of torture.’
Placing his hands on her waist, Laurence lifted her effortlessly into the offending saddle, watching as she hooked one knee around the pommel and placed her booted foot in the stirrup before settling her skirts.
A groom brought the mount Laurence was to ride that had been readied for him. It was a striking chestnut stallion, with a rippling black mane and tail. His neck was wonderfully arched, his head and large eyes seemingly without flaw. The horse’s sleek coat gleamed. Laurence swung himself up into the saddle with ease and with measuring awe Melissa could not help admiring the way he handled the spirited mount.
‘Ready?’
Meeting his calm gaze, she felt an unfamiliar twist to her heart, an addictive mix of pleasure and excitement. She nodded, taking the reins firmly in her gloved hands.
Together they rode out of the yard, Laurence’s skittish mount dancing sideways, elevating his white hocks in a flashy, high-stepping gait.
* * *
A large company was already congregated in Hyde Park. It was a place where the rich and famous came to see and to be seen. It was composed of ladies and gentlemen of quality, mounted on some of the finest horses that England could produce. The park was a hive of colourful activity, the atmosphere jovial and relaxed.
They met up with Antony and Eliza as arranged. They were in the best of spirits.
Edging his horse close to Melissa, Antony managed to take her gloved hand and place a kiss on her fingers. He grinned, a warm, enchanting grin. ‘You look divine, Lady Maxwell. Marriage clearly agrees with you. You look delectable.’
Hearing every word of his friend’s flattery, Laurence laughed. ‘Hands off, you reprobate. Look to your own wife—who is rather stunning.’
Eliza, radiant and vivacious in a topaz riding habit, a matching hat adorned with a cheekily curling feather, favoured Laurence with a broad smile. ‘Why, thank you, Laurence. I fear there are times when my husband fails to notice. It does him the world of good to be reminded.’
The four of them proceeded to the Ring. Since there were so many carriages attended by liveried footmen and bewigged coachmen and horses circling, they had no choice but to join the elegant parade and pad along at a sedate pace within the enclosed lane. Curious looks were cast their way. Eyebrows were raised, eyes assessing and lingering overlong on Melissa, and a buzz of whispers ensued, for it was the first time Lord Maxwell had been seen with a woman since his first wife’s demise and, of course, as Eliza pointed out, London would be alive with gossip about her tomorrow.
Eliza, always a popular figure at the best of times, paused now and then to pay her respects to friends and acquaintances. Noticing Melissa’s strained profile and sensing her frustration at being hemmed in, Laurence brought his horse alongside Lady.
‘I suspect you would rather be riding free than struggling through this melee. Come with me. There’s a remote region of the park where you can ride away from the crowds. It offers more freedom than the Ring. We’ll meet up with Antony and Eliza later.’
Together they rode away from the Ring, cantering side by side at a leisurely pace. Laurence firmly restrained his powerful stallion who longed to gallop. They came to a quieter area of the park with a long stretch of green turf.
‘You ride on,’ Laurence said. ‘Enjoy the gallop.’
‘Will you not come with me? I’ll race you.’
He laughed. ‘I think not. My mount against your quiet little mare? You couldn’t possibly win.’
Melissa wasn’t prepared to stay and argue. Impatient to be off, she nudged her mount with her heel and she was away.
Laurence watched her go, pausing to drink in the sight of her, supple and trim in her blue habit. Their weeks of marriage had taught him to see beyond the outer shell of this lovely, vibrant woman and to read the true depth of the person hidden within. He realised that for all the pleasure he had derived from their coming together, some deeper, richer emotion was taking root in his heart. As yet he could put no name to it—it had a quality that was outside the realms of his experience. Still, whatever it was, it was pleasant.
As he indulged himself admiring his wife from afar, he watched as she galloped over the green turf, urging her mount on even faster. She rode like the wind, with the blind bravado of a rider who had never fallen off. She seemed to leave all her cares behind her like the gauzy blue scarf tied around the crown of her hat. It rippled gracefully behind her like the pennant on a ship’s mast and the long skirts of her riding habit billowed along her mount’s flank as she rode with more proficiency in the side-saddle than she had given herself credit for. The clash of his emotions as he watched her surprised him. He let her ride her fill before approaching her.
Having slowed her horse to a walk, the reins held loosely in her gloved hands, allowing the animal to choose the route and hearing the jingle of a bridle and the snort of a horse, Melissa turned and saw Laurence riding towards her. His warm, silver eyes looked at her in undisguised admiration as he drew alongside, a smile curving on his firm lips.
‘Did you enjoy that?’ She looked so vital, her eyes shining and her cheeks flushed from her exertions.
‘I enjoyed myself thoroughly,’ she replied, leaning forward and patting Lady’s neck. ‘I felt able to breathe again. What a spirited little mount Lady is.’
‘My compliments, Melissa. I know few men who ride as well as you.’ He fell in beside her.
‘
I’m sure you exaggerate, Laurence. You are being kind, but I do indeed love to ride.’ The genuine warmth and admiration in his voice and in his eyes flooded her heart with joy.
‘I know you do. Any time you want to ride out, if I am not available take one of the grooms. Lady enjoyed it, too, I wager. She looks perky. It will have done her good to get out. Is she to your liking?’
‘Oh, yes. She’s not as fast as Freckle, but we get on well enough. She’s a lovely horse.’
They returned to the Ring at a leisurely walk. Antony and another gentleman were having a heated discussion about the merits of their respective horses, while Eliza chatted with the gentleman’s wife. When Laurence came alongside him, Antony broke off his conversation to speak to him.
‘I wondered where you’d disappeared to.’
‘Melissa wanted a good gallop so I took her to the other side of the park. Have I missed anything?’
‘You might say that—although it’s probably a good thing you were otherwise occupied.’ He indicated a gentleman walking away from them. ‘You’ve just missed Gerald, you’ll be pleased to hear.’
As if he knew he was being discussed, the gentleman paused and turned to look back.
Laurence scowled and Sir Gerald’s lips curled with something akin to dry amusement mingled with dislike, and he nodded ever so slightly in acknowledgement, which Laurence did not deign to return. Undeterred, Sir Gerald casually turned and went on his way.
Antony sighed. ‘So, things are still no different between the two of you, I see.’
‘Should they be?’
‘No, I suppose not. What happened between you affected all of us, Laurence,’ Antony said with mild reproach. ‘Eliza in particular finds it difficult to come to terms with it all. Alice was her friend and Gerald her brother. When the two of them met before you appeared on the scene, none of us could have foreseen the tragedy that was on the horizon.’
‘How could we? But it is done now. No good will come of going over it. I am sorry that Eliza has been so deeply affected by what happened, but it is impossible for things to go back to what they once were.’
Wedded for His Secret Child Page 13
