But that was years ago, before Melanie’s old governess had died. She had not ever been so full of high spirits since then. “What was her old governess’s name?”
“Mrs. Anderson.”
“No, that’s not quite how I remember it,” he said slowly. “Melanie called her Andy didn’t she?”
“Yes, I believe you’re correct.”
Walter stopped and glanced out to sea, seeing those days with a touch of nostalgia. Melanie had adored Andy and she’d changed so much after the woman had passed away.
He shook his head as nostalgia shifted into a new perception of past events. He’d never quite put the two events together until now. Was Melanie’s withdrawal because of the governess’s death? The woman employed to replace Mrs. Anderson had been very strict about everything. Was that all it had taken to end a friendship?
“We’re having an intimate dinner with friends tomorrow night,” Valentine said as their street came into view. “You’re invited, of course.”
Walter smiled ruefully. “I don’t mind being the man to make up the numbers provided there’s a good dessert to be had at the end.”
“Why do you think I invite you along to dine with us so often?” Valentine slapped his shoulder. “You seem to be the only man within three miles who hasn’t the least bit of interest in Melanie romantically. I am always assured Melanie has an enjoyable evening in your company.”
Walter was surprised by that claim. He had always assumed his presence made little impression on her mood. He could have stood on his head, for all the notice she took of him. “Who else is on the guest list?”
“Mr. Hartwood and his wife have consented to come.”
“I know them well, but they are an unusual choice as Julia’s first dinner guests.”
“The choice was my sister’s suggestion, actually,” Valentine confessed. “She thought a series of small, informal dinners would strike the right note to win back goodwill. Plus it’s an opportunity to casually promote the shop to someone with funds to spare.”
“Clever thinking.” Despite the frost in her manner, her choosiness about finding a husband, Melanie was well regarded by the older set of their town. She had certainly been of help in improving Valentine and Julia’s standing in society of late. “As good a place to expend the effort as any I can think of.”
“She is determined that Julia make a good impression.”
His mind jerked back to Melanie Merton and her refused suitors. Why did she not want a husband of her own yet? As far as he could tell, she rebuffed all romantic overtures. Had any of those fellows ever stood a chance to win her affections? Had any of them kissed her?
She could probably use a good kiss to loosen her corset strings. Walter imagined…
“Why are you pursing your lips?” Valentine asked suddenly.
“What?” He quickly adopted a thoughtful expression. “Oh, just thinking an idea through. There’s a factory in Portslade I heard about. Could be a good investment.”
Valentine stopped and stared at him. “How do you have money to spare for another investment already? I swear, everything you touch must turn to gold.”
“Not quite.” He grinned. “I am still eating off porcelain dinnerware.”
Valentine questioned him about the property while Walter scolded himself silently. It was a very bad idea to turn his mind to Melanie Merton, a woman who had hurt his sister so very badly in the past. Despite the friendly façade he affected before others, he was still extremely annoyed with her. Luckily, he wasn’t the sort of man she would ever notice was constantly biting his tongue rather than sharing his real feelings.
Two
Melanie Merton hated her life. She hated the clothes she wore. The house she lived in that was no longer hers to manage. The smiles she had to bestow upon her brother’s friends while overlooking their scowls. Even without the responsibilities she’d always enjoyed, and the hours on her own, she never had a moment’s peace. She just wanted a quiet morning, and that never seemed to happen lately unless she confined herself to her bedchamber.
Today, she was entertaining Mr. Linus Radley until his sister, Julia, her new sister-in-law, came down that morning. The forms of proper behavior that had been drilled into her head since she was a young girl made it impossible for her to say what was really on her mind, even when she wanted to. She was too polite to ask Mr. Radley to go away until a more reasonable hour of the day, and had ordered tea and cake to fill the endless minutes until Julia relieved her of this duty.
“It looks to
be a lovely day for a stroll,” Mr. Radley said suddenly. “Might I entice you to venture out with me to look upon the sea? With your maid, of course.”
Melanie sighed with what she hoped sounded like regret and not irritation. She would not go out walking with Linus Radley, with or without a suitable chaperone. She had seen enough of him in the past weeks not to want anything more to do with him than she absolutely had to. He was a bully. “Unfortunately, I am otherwise engaged today.”
“Oh?”
Dear God, the man wants particulars. She searched her mind for the least interesting activity she could think of that might dissuade his interest. Mention of a charitable project always seemed to bore most gentlemen into leaving her presence. “I am to visit the vicar in an hour to discuss the needs of the poor. I do what I can in my own small way but there are so many families in need. I truly hope some kind and generous benefactor comes forward soon.”