Dreaming of You

by Jennifer McNare

  The others eyed him speculatively, but they knew better than to press him. Though he had long been considered a bit of a rake by several of his peers, those that knew him well knew that he didn’t brag about his bedroom exploits. “Deal the cards, Talbot.”

  Edward Talbot, the gentleman seated to Gavin’s immediate right, smirked and picked up the cards. “Speaking of widows, I hear that the Countess of Edgington has just come to town,” he said.

  “Old Charlie’s widow?” This asked by Andrew Darby, the red-haired chap seated to Gavin’s left.

  “The very one.” Edward, always eager to impart the latest bit of gossip, nodded his head briskly up and down.

  Devon’s eyes widened in interest. “You don’t say.”

  “Hell, it’s been nearly five years since Edgington passed,” Andrew said, wrinkling his brow in confusion. “Where has she been all this time?”

  Edward shrugged.

  “Have you gotten a look at her?” Devon asked, directing the question to Edward.

  “Not yet, but I certainly intend to. And sooner, rather than later,” he said with a rakish grin. “Heard she’s a real beauty.”

  “Edgington’s widow, hmm,” Gavin mused with only the mildest of interest. Charles Cavendish had been a longtime business associate of his father’s, though he hadn’t known the man well himself. His nephew Nelson had been a classmate of his at Eton however, and unfortunately they were well-acquainted. When he’d heard that Nelson had lost his long-coveted title and inheritance to Edgington’s infant son by his second wife, he had felt little sympathy for the man. Nelson was an obnoxious boor whose unpleasant personality was made even more repugnant by his fondness for the bottle, and these days he did his best to avoid him, as did most everyone else of their mutual acquaintance.

  “I have it on good authority that she will be in attendance at the Middleton’s ball this weekend,” Edward added, as he tossed out the cards.

  “Ah, and I take it that you have managed to wrangle an invitation for yourself as well.” Gavin grinned knowingly.

  “I have indeed.” Edward smiled widely, nodding his head. “And as I have no doubt that you are on the guest list, might I inquire as to whether or not you will be gifting the assemblage with one of your rare appearances?”

  Gavin’s smile turned to a frown. It was pretty much a given that his name was on every guest list when it came to ton functions, though his attendance was certainly not, for he tended to avoid as many of the seemingly endless number of Society events as possible. “Unfortunately I shall, for Pennworth is presently attending to business matters in Scotland, and Natalie has coerced me into escorting her in his stead.”

  “Don’t look so glum, Rutherford,” Devon said, tossing one of his cards to the center of the table. “At least you’ve only one sister, and she married after her first season. I’ve got two, and this is to be Amelia’s second Season, and then Bridgette shall be entering the fray the following year. I am forced to endure nearly every ball, route and social gathering on the bloody calendar.”

  “You have my sympathies.” As Devon’s father had passed away several years ago, it now fell upon him to secure marriages for his two sisters. Gavin certainly didn’t envy him the task. Dealing with the tiresome aspects of the marriage mart was a tedious business to be sure. Fortunately his father and brother had still been alive when Natalie had her Season.

  “Well I for one, am looking forward to attending the Middleton’s affair,” Andrew stated with a sly grin.

  The other men at the table, including Gavin, rolled their eyes skyward, for it was well-known amongst their little group that Andrew had more than a passing interest in Felicity Middleton. It was also well-known among them, and amongst nearly every other member of Society, that Felicity’s husband was a brainless old fool who had no idea that his pretty young wife was reputed to have bedded nearly every able-bodied gentlemen who’d given her so much as a passing glance over the past several years.

  “Come on, Rutherford. It won’t be so bad. Besides, don’t tell me you aren’t just the slightest bit curious to get a look at Edgington’s lovely young widow,” Edward remarked, looking up from his cards.

  “He’d better not look too closely if Anastasia is nearby,” Devon quipped with a cheeky grin. “I hear the countess has a rather volatile temper.”

  Gavin allowed a small, enigmatic smile to curve his lips. Anastasia did have a passionate temperament, both in and out of the bedroom. It was one of the things he liked best about her. However, and somewhat surprisingly considering her hot-blooded nature, she wasn’t the jealous type, a circumstance he appreciated even more. Like him, she enjoyed the freedom to do as she wished, and with whomever she wished to do it. It made their present relationship an ideal situation.

  Chapter 14

  As their carriage rapidly approached the Middleton’s London home, Melody glanced down nervously at the ice-blue, watered silk bodice of her ball gown. She’d had several new gowns, including this one, made for her before she’d traveled to London, but this was the first time she had actually worn any of them. The designs and fabrics were far more extravagant and sophisticated than anything she had ever worn before, but Madame Dubay, the highly-skilled French seamstress she’d hired to travel to Edgington to create her new wardrobe, had guaranteed her that the styles she’d helped her to select were the height of fashion and all the rage in London. Nonetheless, she was suddenly unsure of herself and could hardly resist the urge to pull up upon the low-cut bodice of the gown she wore now, that in her opinion revealed a rather shocking amount of cleavage. Penny however, had assured her that she looked absolutely perfect. And in truth she thought, glancing across the carriage, the cut of her cousin’s gown was even slightly more revealing than her own, and her husband, seated next to her, seemed not to think that anything was amiss at all.

  Taking a deep breath, she tried to quell her nerves by focusing not on the night ahead, but rather on the conversation at hand.

  “I do hope Miss Murdock remembers to give Edward his medicine before putting him to bed,” Penny fretted, glancing worriedly at her husband.

  “Dearest, you reminded her at least a half dozen times,” Lord Wexley said, smiling fondly at Penny. “I am quite certain that she will not forget.”

  Melody was aware that Penny and Henry’s youngest son had been suffering from an unfortunate malady of late, and that this was Penny’s first evening away from home in more than a week. As a mother herself, she could hardly fault her cousin for her concern, but she had seen for herself that young Edward was indeed on the mend. In any event, she sought to set her mind at ease. “We needn’t stay overly long Penny. I assure you that I shall be content to leave whenever you are ready to return home.” In fact, she would probably be ready to leave before Penny, though she would never say so aloud. Her cousin was so excited to begin her introduction to Society that Melody didn’t have the heart to let on how very unexcited she was. In truth, she was only doing this for her children, for she would have been more than content to spend the remainder of her days residing peacefully in the country. However, as the current Earl of Edgington, William would someday have to take his place amongst his peers, and it was her duty to begin paving the way for him. As their mother, it was up to her to see to William’s future, as well as Emma’s.

  “I am being silly, aren’t I?”

  “You are not being silly at all, my dear,” Henry declared, patting his wife’s hand affectionately. “You are a loving and devoted mother, and Edward and Phillip are most-fortunate to have you.”

  “I could not agree more,” Melody added.

  Penny smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Well, in any event, I shall do my best to enjoy the night ahead and not spend all of my time fretting about Edward.”

  “Excellent,” Henry grinned, “for I am looking forward to spending a delightful evening with two of the loveliest ladies in London, and being the envy of all the other gentlemen in attendance.”

  “You see w
hy I adore him so?” Penny said, tucking her arm through Henry’s.

  “I do. You are fortunate indeed Penny.”

  “As am I,” Henry added gallantly, placing his hand over Penny’s.

  “Most certainly,” Melody agreed with a warm smile. Their affection for one another was obvious and Melody was delighted that Penny had made such a wonderful match.

  Several minutes later, as they alighted from the carriage at the front of the Middleton’s lavish home, Melody once again felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. This was it, her first foray into Society. Lord, help her.

  Noticing her obvious trepidation, Penny reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly as they made their way up the front steps. “Relax, Melody. You are going to be a smashing success.”

  Gracious, she shuddered to think what she would have done without Penny. Her vivacious, kindhearted cousin was an absolute godsend. Casting a sidelong glance at Penny, she took a deep breath and tried to appear confident and at ease.

  Moments later, as their names were announced by the Middleton’s regal-looking butler; Melody summoned her courage and made her way into the crowded ballroom with a smile on her face and her head held high.

  As her cousin had predicted, it wasn’t long before they were approached by numerous ladies and gentlemen eager to make Melody’s acquaintance. Being the center of attention was a bit daunting at first, but with her cousin’s reassuring presence at her side she managed to calm the worst of her nerves and gradually began to feel more and more at ease as she greeted each person who was presented to her. Even so, as she was introduced to every new gentleman who stepped forward, she couldn’t completely quell the anxiousness she felt as she listened with added interest to each one of their voices, searching for any hint of recognition.

  “I say, is that her?” Andrew Darby asked from across the room, craning his neck to get a better look at the woman in question.

  “Considering the crush surrounding her, I would assume so.” Gavin’s bored tone relayed his lack of interest.

  “Perchance Talbot was right then. It may be that she is a real beauty.” He raised up onto his toes. “Damnation, I can’t get a decent look at her from here.” Ignoring Gavin’s lackadaisical attitude, Andrew’s curiosity went undeterred as he shifted a few steps to the left. “Devil take it,” he muttered under his breath a moment later. “I’m going for a closer look,” he said glancing back toward Gavin with an eager expression. “Care to join me?”

  “I’ll pass.”

  “Suit yourself,” Andrew replied with a shrug, and then quickly moved off in search of a better vantage point to view Society’s newest addition, the widowed Countess of Edgington.

  With one widowed countess already occupying his attention, he was hardly in need of another, Gavin mused as he watched Andrew weave his way through the throng. He had yet to spot Anastasia amongst the milling guests, but he knew that she would be in attendance. Regrettably, with his sister about, he would have to keep his distance from his current paramour until much later in the evening, as Natalie for some reason or other, had taken a decided disliking to Countess Petrovich.

  As Penny had also foreseen, Melody soon found herself inundated with dance requests from a bevy of enthusiastic gentlemen, both young and old, a circumstance she found flattering, but slightly overwhelming as well. Now, as she was led onto the dance floor by her second partner, a middle-aged gentleman with a balding pate, a rotund midsection and a salacious smile, she was once again inordinately relieved that she’d had the forethought to enlist the services of a skilled dance instructor prior to leaving Edgington. It had taken weeks of practice to master the intricate steps of the quadrille, the cotillion, the differing versions of the waltz, and a slew of other popular dances, but the preparation had been well worth the time and effort, for she hadn’t embarrassed herself even once by missing a step or a turn as she had made her way across the floor with her first partner.

  Unfortunately, her current partner Lord Pittwich wasn’t nearly as graceful on his feet as she was, and managed to trod upon her toes not once, but twice as they danced to the orchestra’s lively Scottish reel. On a positive note however, the fast-paced tempo left little time for conversation and she had to endure only brief moments of the viscount’s effusive adulation. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the gracious compliments he bestowed upon her, but rather it was his wandering eye that left her feeling discomfited. Though his praise was focused upon the beauty of her features, his gaze tended to drop far too frequently from her face to the revealing cut of her bodice. Despite her genial smile, Melody felt only a tremendous sense of relief when the dance finally came to an end and she was returned to her cousin’s side.

  “Are all of your toes still intact?” Penny asked with a knowing grimace, once Lord Pittwich had relinquished Melody’s arm and reluctantly moved away.

  “I do not think any of them are broken, but I fear I may be sporting a bruise or two come morning,” Melody murmured under her breath as she cast a doleful glance at her cousin. “If Lord Pittwich had spent half as much time paying attention to his footwork as he did to ogling my bosom it might have helped.”

  Penny suppressed a chuckle. “He is relatively harmless, as long as you do nothing to encourage him.”

  “You can be assured that I most certainly will do nothing of the sort.”

  “Come, let’s take a stroll on the terrace before the next set,” Penny said, looping her arm through Melody’s. “Henry’s been coaxed into one of the card rooms I fear, but I shall fetch him for a waltz later on.”

  “You seem very happy, Penny.” They moved along the edge of the ballroom, heading for one of the many sets of open doors that lined the rear wall.

  “I am.” Her smile was genuine.

  “I’m so glad,” Melody replied with sincerity.

  Penny squeezed her arm. “And what of you, my dear? Were you happy with Edgington before he passed?”

  Though Henry and Charles had been marginally acquainted before his death, Penny had never met her late husband. “I was…content,” she hedged.

  Penny nodded and didn’t press her further. “And now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you are still quite young, my dear. Are you content with widowhood, or do you wish to remarry?”

  It was a compelling question, and one that had crossed her mind on more than one occasion. “Honestly, I am…not certain.” It was true enough, for after being married to Charles, the institution of marriage held little appeal. However, she couldn’t deny that at times she felt a touch of loneliness. Though she would always have her dreams and the wonderful memories of the man she’d fallen in love with at the cottage, dreams and memories weren’t always enough. Perhaps if he hadn’t awakened that part of her, the part that craved a man’s touch, his touch, she would be content. But he had.

  Fortunately she was spared from having to speak on the subject any further, for as they were just a few steps from one of the open doors, Penny’s attention was suddenly drawn by a lovely young lady standing off to the left.

  “Natalie, how lovely to see you,” Penny greeted warmly as the other woman smiled and stepped toward them.

  “Penny, I wasn’t sure if you would be in attendance this evening,” said the slender brunette as she approached. “I hope this means that young Edward’s health is improving.”

  “Yes, much to my relief the poor dear is finally on the mend.”

  “How wonderful. I am so glad to hear it.” Her expression pleased, she then cast her gaze toward Melody.

  “Natalie, please allow me to introduce you to my cousin Melody Cavendish, Countess Edgington. Melody, this is my dear friend Natalie Marshton, Viscountess Pennworth.”

  “Lady Edgington, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Natalie said.

  “And yours, Lady Pennworth.”

  “Please, you must call me Natalie.” She smiled warmly. “As you are Penny’s cousin we are sure to become friends.”<
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  “Of course,” Melody agreed with a friendly smile of her own. “And please call me Melody.” She was drawn to Natalie Marshton’s gregarious nature at once.

  “Melody and I were about to take a stroll along the terrace. Would you care to join us, Natalie?”

  “Thank you, but actually I am waiting for Gavin, though heaven only knows where he’s gone off to.”

  “Am I mistaken, or did I just hear my name being bandied about?” The deep voice was accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.

  Natalie immediately turned toward the voice, as did Melody and Penny. “There you are. I was beginning to fear that you had reneged upon your promise to take me for a turn about the gardens and had snuck off to one of the card rooms instead.”

  “And have you tattling to Pennworth that I was lax in my duties as escort?” Gavin retorted with a look of mock affront.

  “I do not tattle you wretch,” his sister proclaimed, rolling her eyes skyward. “Honestly,” she said, shaking her head as she glanced between Penny and Melody, “he still treats me as if I were little more than a troublesome child.”

  Penny’s features revealed her amusement as she dipped into a flawless curtsey. “Good evening, Your Grace.”

  “Lady Wexley,” Gavin greeted with a slight bow. “How are you this evening?”

  “I am quite well, Your Grace, thank you for asking.” Penny replied amiably, and then turned toward Melody. “Please allow me to introduce you to my cousin, Melody Cavendish, Countess Edgington, and Melody, allow me to present His Grace, Gavin Montrose, Duke of Rutherford.”

  “How do you do, Lady Edgington?”

  Melody’s eyes widened slightly as she dipped into her curtsey, for before her stood one of the most attractive men she had ever laid eyes upon. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.” She felt her cheeks grow warm, for even to her own ears her voice sounded faint and slightly uneven as she straightened. She could only hope that the others didn’t pay particular notice.