“With all of the beautiful women in London, I doubt that,” Melody replied with a laugh, thinking of Countess Petrovich in particular. “But I appreciate your confidence in me nonetheless.”
A short time later, as Melody settled herself once again into the Wexley coach, she couldn’t help thinking how drastically her life had changed in such a short period of time. Balls, outings to the opera, Society in general, it all still seemed slightly unreal when compared to the life she’d led before.
“I am so looking forward to Signorina Cassini’s performance this evening,” Penny said excitedly as the coach moved forward, referring to the young Italian soprano who had recently taken London by storm.
Since Edward’s health had improved significantly over the past twenty-four hours, Melody was pleased to see that Penny’s mood appeared much more relaxed than it had been the night before.
“It is certain to be a packed house,” Henry remarked.
As it was opening night, Melody couldn’t help wondering if the Duke of Rutherford might be in attendance as well. Though she dare not let on to her cousin, for Penny would surely never let her hear the end of it if she thought for even a moment that Melody had anything more than a passing interest in the duke, she would be lying if she said she wasn’t looking forward to the possibility of seeing him again. To propel her thoughts along a different path, she complimented Penny’s lovely emerald-green gown, and as she’d hoped, the conversation quickly turned into a discussion of fashion.
While she and Penny chatted about fabrics and the latest fashion plates from Paris, Henry focused his attention out the carriage window as they made their way to Covent Garden. However, as they drew nearer to the famed local, Henry began to point out various sights and Melody was soon entranced by the magnificent buildings and notable landmarks that marked the way to the celebrated opera house. When at last they arrived at their destination, she could scarcely disguise her overwhelming awe.
However, once they entered the grand building, she found it simply impossible to hide her wonderment as her gaze moved from the enormous gas lit chandeliers and opulent furnishings, to the stunning architectural features that captivated the eye with their incredible beauty and intricate detail. Unfortunately though, with the performance about to begin, her admiration was cut short as Henry quickly summoned one of the attendants to show them to their seats.
Much to her surprise, Melody had discovered that the Cavendish family had long-held a private box at the Royal Opera House, in addition to boxes at several other venues as well, and it was there that they would be seated. Following the attendant, they ascended a wide marble staircase to the balcony level, and were shown to a lavish box set high above the crowd of people seated in the gallery below. As she and Penny entered, Henry held back for a moment, waylaid by an acquaintance just outside the curtained entrance.
As always, the enormity of her late husband’s fortune once again amazed her as she took in her surroundings, but even more astonishing was the fact that all of it, including this, now belonged to her son. Though as hard as it was to believe, all too soon the time would come when William would be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility that came with the title of Lord Edgington and all that it entailed. Knowing that it was her responsibility to guide him along the way, she silently reaffirmed her resolve to do the absolute best that she could to prepare her son for what lay ahead.
Sitting down upon one of the plush velvet-covered chairs, Melody’s eyes eagerly roamed the gallery’s elegant trappings and lavish décor, moved along the orchestra pit and curtained stage, and up to the other boxes that skirted the room. She saw several people that she recognized from the Middleton’s ball and nodded courteously in return to those who caught her eye. The neighboring box was empty however and curiously she wondered to whom it belonged. She was about to ask Penny but suddenly there was no need, for as she watched, the Duke of Rutherford and his sister promptly entered the box. Before she had time to look away, the emerald-green gaze of Gavin Montrose unexpectedly swung in her direction and immediately met with her own wide-eyed stare. Embarrassed, she smiled politely and then quickly turned away.
Gavin wasn’t entirely surprised to see Lady Edgington seated with Penelope Dunham in the box next to his, for he was fully aware that the late earl had owned those particular seats. He was a bit surprised however, to have found the lovely lady’s eyes fastened upon him as he’d turned. Now, as he studied her profile, he was once again struck by her alluring beauty. For a moment he felt a sharp pang of guilt for the meeting he’d had earlier in the day with Mr. Beckett, one of the investigators he’d hired years earlier in an attempt to locate his abductor, but he forced it aside. Quite certain that Mr. Beckett would swiftly prove that Melody Cavendish hadn’t been involved in his abduction, she would never need know of the vile assertions her husband’s nephew had cast against her, nor of the loathsome suspicions they had triggered within his own mind.
When Henry entered through the curtain several minutes after Melody and Penny had taken their seats, they both turned. Surprisingly, Henry’s expression was somber as he met their gazes.
“Henry, is something wrong?” Penny asked, eyeing her husband inquisitively.
“Apparently it has just been reported in the evening papers that Lord Hattford was involved in a dreadful accident in the wee hours of the morning.”
“My goodness, I had no idea,” Melody exclaimed in surprise.
“Hattford is your late husband’s nephew, is he not?” Penny asked, turning to Melody.
She nodded. “He is. But we are not well-acquainted. We only met once, and that was years ago.”
“Whatever has happened to him?” Penny inquired as Henry settled into his seat.
“Well, it seems the poor man was inadvertently run down by a delivery wagon on a street in Westminster.”
“Oh dear.” Penny’s eyes grew wide.
“Good heavens. Is he going to be alright?” Melody asked.
“I’m afraid that I do not know. It was only reported that his injuries were quite severe and that he is being treated at the local hospital.”
“I see.”
“Well I’m sure that Lord Hattford is receiving the best care possible, but we should all say a prayer for him tonight, nonetheless,” Penny said, just as the lights dimmed to signal the beginning of the performance.
“Yes of course.” Although she felt badly for Nelson, as she would for anyone who had suffered such a mishap, it was difficult to summon much more than passing sympathy for a man she scarcely knew, and one who had made his contempt for her glaringly apparent. And though acknowledging that it was terribly selfish of her, she couldn’t help but feel slightly relieved to know that she was unlikely, at least for the time being, to encounter any lingering hostilities from Nelson, or Lavinia, if they’d happened to cross paths at any upcoming societal functions, as she had once feared. Regardless, she would still pray that he made a quick recovery.
It wasn’t long into the performance however, that thoughts of Nelson gradually faded from her mind as she became completely engrossed in what was transpiring upon the stage. The opera was even more incredible than she had imagined it would be, and before long she felt as if she were being drawn into the scene right along with those on stage, transported to a completely different place and time.
As the poignant strains of a beautifully sung duet filled the air, Gavin’s attention vacillated between the figures on the stage and the lovely young woman seated just a short distance away. He found it difficult to look away as her animated features reflected the depth of her emotion as she appeared to lose herself in the melodic passage, revealing a passionate nature that he found tremendously intriguing. It was only his sister’s presence at his side that kept his eyes from remaining overlong on her expressive face, for he found watching Melody Cavendish nearly as enjoyable as watching the performance.
When the second act came to an end, Melody and Penny rose from their seats and followed
Henry out into the hall to stretch their legs during the brief intermission. Procuring them each a glass of champagne from a passing attendant, Henry handed the ladies their glasses as they enthusiastically discussed the first two acts.
Melody was about to comment on the magnificent costume designs, but her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the approach of the Duke of Rutherford and his sister as they exited their own box.
As the three women exchanged greetings, Gavin signaled an attendant and obtained champagne for he and Natalie. Handing a glass to his sister, he smiled politely to the other three. “Wexley,” he nodded and then turned his attention to the women. “Ladies, please allow me to say that you both look enchanting this evening.”
“Why thank you, Your Grace,” Penny replied with a radiant smile.
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.” Melody felt her cheeks grow warm as she met the steady gaze of the duke.
“So, Lady Edgington, are you enjoying your first visit to the opera?” Of course he already knew the answer to his question, for throughout the first and second acts her face had revealed her continued delight whenever he’d chanced to glance in her direction.
“Oh yes, it is simply wonderful.”
“I am glad to hear it, for as difficult as it is to believe, there are those for whom the opera holds little appeal.”
As the rich, pleasing tones of his voice caressed her ears, the dream she’d had the night before crept unbidden into her thoughts. Was it her imagination or did the duke’s voice sound even more familiar to her now than it had the night before? No, surely it had to be because of the dream. Her subconscious was playing tricks on her now, subtly altering the memory of his voice so that it now seemed more similar to the duke’s. Was it yet another sign that she needed to set the memories aside and move on with her life?
“Melody, are you alright?” Penny asked, breaking into her momentary reverie.
“What?” She blinked and attempted to regain her focus. Her cousin was eyeing her curiously, as were the rest.
“Natalie asked what you thought of Signorina Cassini.”
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” she said, smiling apologetically at Natalie. “I am afraid my thoughts drifted for a moment. Please forgive my inattention; it must be all of the excitement.”
“It’s quite alright.” Natalie’s expression was slightly amused. “I completely understand. One’s first experience with something so extraordinary can be quite overwhelming.” She turned to her brother. “Gavin, do you remember how excited I was the first time I attended the opera?”
“Indeed I do. You were so excited you could scarcely sit still throughout the performance.” He smiled at the memory. “And as I recall, you were chattering like a magpie nearly the entire time and mother was constantly having to remind you to keep quiet.”
“Yes, she was rather put out with me at the time, wasn’t she?” Natalie stifled a giggle.
“She was sorely vexed indeed,” Gavin affirmed. “And especially so when you inadvertently dropped your opera glasses over the side of the balcony at the start of the third act.”
“Oh dear.” Melody grinned just picturing it, while Natalie playfully wrinkled her nose at her brother’s reminder.
“How is your dear mother by the way?” Penny asked. “I haven’t seen the duchess in ages.”
“She is well, though she rarely comes to Town these days.”
“Yes, she is much improved,” Natalie added somewhat pensively. “She finally appears to have gotten past the worst of her grief after losing Papa & Richard, but even so, she seems content to spend the majority of her time at Rutherford Park nowadays.”
Penny nodded understandingly. “Please give her my regards when next you see her.”
Richard? She had assumed that the duke’s father had passed, for Gavin Montrose now held the title, but who was Richard? A brother? An older brother perhaps? Could it be that Gavin had not always been his father’s heir, but a second son? That startling possibility gave Melody a moment’s pause, and as she once again turned her gaze to the duke’s face she suddenly felt uneasy. Perhaps it wasn’t just her imagination after all. Could it be? With the dream still lingering in the back of her thoughts, she tried to study the duke’s features without being too obvious. She felt the fingers on her right hand twitch imperceptivity at her side as her eyes traversed the planes of his face.
Listening with only half an ear as the topic of conversation shifted to the upcoming general election, she tried to imagine the feel of her fingertips moving lightly across his forehead, along the slope of his nose, then to his cheekbones and down to his jaw. Charles had been insistent that his son be descended of impeccable lineage, born of a true aristocrat. Would he have dared to abduct the son of a duke to ensure that the child’s bloodlines met his exacting standards? Dear lord, was it possible that Gavin Montrose was the man at the cottage, that it wasn’t just her mind playing tricks. She focused on his eyes. Were they the same? Were her children’s vivid green eyes the same shade as his? It was difficult to tell from where she stood, but the color of his hair, that she could see clearly, and it was in fact a very similar shade to her daughter’s long chestnut-colored curls.
In the back of her mind, Melody knew that there was one thing that could easily prove or disprove the sudden suspicion now rioting in her thoughts. The scar. Its presence, or lack thereof, could tell her with absolute certainty whether or not the shocking notion rioting within her head was entirely nonsensical. She felt her chest tighten and the breath catch in her throat as her eyes once again shifted to his jawline. It was almost a relief to see that the collar of his shirt made it impossible to tell if he possessed the lasting impression of a wound inflicted by a child’s reckless swordplay.
Though he pretended not to notice, Gavin couldn’t help but be aware of Lady Edgington’s rather intense perusal of his face. What was she thinking as she studied him so intently? Was she merely attracted to him or was it something else entirely? Of course he’d long been the subject of many a woman’s interested regard, that was nothing new, but there was something different about the way she was looking at him, almost searchingly it seemed. Unfortunately he had no further time to ponder it, for just then the signal was given for everyone to return to their seats as the intermission was over and the third act was about to begin.
“Apparently I can add another name to your long list of admirers,” Natalie murmured as they reentered their box.
“Pardon me?”
“Don’t be coy,” Natalie said knowingly, her smile slightly mischievous. “I saw the way she was looking at you, just as you did.”
“I assume you are referring to Lady Edgington.”
“Of course, who else would I be referring to?” Natalie rolled her eyes as she released Gain’s arm and lowered herself onto her chair.
“You could have been referring to Lady Wexley,” Gavin said with a perfectly straight face, just to needle her.
Natalie gave an unladylike snort. “If Penny had been eyeing you like that, Wexley would have had you calling for your second and met you with pistols at dawn.”
Gavin chuckled as he took his seat. “I wouldn’t doubt it.”
“Honestly Gavin,” Natalie began, her tone becoming serious. “Perhaps you should consider courting her. She is obviously smitten with you, and it’s clear that you are attracted to her as well.”
He quirked a brow, his expression staid. “Is it now?”
“Yes, it is. And besides, I like her.”
“Well then, if you like her, perhaps I should just skip the courtship altogether and usher her straight to the altar.” His tone was unmistakably teasing, and Natalie immediately responded by smacking his arm with the wooden sticks of her delicate lace fan.
As the stage curtains opened once again, Gavin’s attention drifted as he sat pondering his sister’s suggestion. His mother had been at him for years to take a wife, and even more so now that the responsibility of fathering the next Rutherford heir had fa
llen to him. Unfortunately for her, it wasn’t a desire he was all that eager to fulfill. He liked to think that it was because he enjoyed his life as it was now, at least for the time being, as well as the immediate future. Unfettered by the ties of matrimony, he could live his life as he saw fit, come and go as he pleased and take to bed as many beautiful women as he wanted, all with a clear conscience.
What he didn’t like to admit, not even to himself, was that she still haunted his thoughts. If he took a wife, would it finally drive her from his mind, would he finally be able to forget her? Or if not forget, would it at least allow him to set aside the memories and focus on the present, the future? And what of his future sons and daughters, would the offspring his wife bore him lessen the pain of having his firstborn child stolen from him. Though he tried to deny it, there was a part of him that didn’t want to forget, a part of him that didn’t want to move forward, a part of him that was still determined to find them both. With a weary sigh, he tried to push his troubling thoughts aside.
Glancing to his right, he expected to see Lady Edgington once more engrossed in the performance on the stage, but instead he was surprised to see that her eyes were once again focused upon him.
Drat, Melody thought as she quickly turned her head, he’d caught her staring once again. The man must surely think she was quite obsessed with him by now. Although, better he think that than to know what she was really contemplating, what she couldn’t stop that little voice inside her head from thinking, that it might be him, that lord help her, she wanted it to be him. With a concerted effort, she forced her gaze to remain on the stage throughout the remainder of the performance.
Chapter 17
Tossing aside her dressing gown, it was well past two o’clock in the morning when Melody finally slipped into her bed and drew the covers up to her chin. Since arriving home from the opera, her thoughts had been in turmoil and she wanted nothing more at that moment than to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep, though she feared that was not likely to happen.
Dreaming of You Page 15
