The Earl's Stowaway. Krystina DarylЧитать онлайн книгу.
twirled them twice to increase the distance between them and Nancy. "You must understand that he fears his relationship may become as disastrous as that of his parents. It haunts him, but I'm sure he will be able to make a decision soon."
She smiled. "You didn't answer my question."
He feigned confusion. "Didn't I?"
She chuckled. "You are a good friend, Lord Townson."
"Just Nicholas or Nick, I do not like being referred to by my title. Lord Townson makes me feel beyond my years." He turned his lips down into a fake pout.
Melanie giggled. "In private, yes, but in public and around Gran, no."
He raised his eyebrow. "You refer to her as Gran as well?"
Melanie nodded. "She asked me to after dinner last week. I'm not sure why."
Nicholas chuckled and shook his head. "That calculating old dowager! She is always up to mischief. You can consider that as her approval."
Melanie stared at him puzzled. "Approval for what?"
"To be Christopher's wife." She gasped making him laugh. "I know you've thought about it."
"Well, not that exactly..." she blushed.
"Miss Monroe, a lady doesn't think of such things!" He faked a scorn.
"Don't act so shocked. Compared to you, my thoughts are equal to a saint's!"
He laughed, throwing his head back and attracting Nancy's attention. He apologized to her then moved a few feet away before he whispered, "Christopher did tell me you were perceptive but such a comment does suggest your skill has had some influence. Tell me how much gossip, have you heard concerning this brute you think me to be?"
"Well, Theresa and Annie, the maids, told me to be careful around you or find myself ruined. But I'm not one to listen to another's opinion on a person's character. I prefer to find out for myself, with caution of course."
"So you do not believe them?"
"Not until I witnessed Christopher's reaction to your offer to teach me how to dance." She shook her head. "That man can be damn possessive!"
He chuckled. "And what of the dowager, what warning did she issue?"
Melanie smiled. "Gran did tell me you are one to watch, but not to worry too much about gaining unwanted attention from you. Shouldn't I be worried, my lord?"
Nicholas laughed. "Oh no! I rather prefer having my neck whole."
Melanie laughed, spinning out of his hold and coming to a stop in someone else's arms.
"Hallo again," Carl whispered, pressing her tight against him.
Melanie felt her body go cold at his touch. Quickly she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. Nicholas grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him. "What have you done to the Lady, Mr. Meed?" he asked harshly.
Carl gave a slight bow. "Nothing, Lord Townson."
"It didn't look like nothing," Nancy pushed, standing up and moving to Melanie. "Dove, you look pale. What's the matter?"
Melanie pulled a tight smile over her lips and shook her head. "Forgive me. He took me by surprise and I reacted."
"See, it was all a misunderstanding," Carl spoke with a casual laugh.
Nancy nodded, moving back to her seat.
Carl moved towards them and Melanie fought the urge to hide further behind Nicholas. He held out his hand, eyeing her. "May I have this dance?"
She wanted to yell 'go to hell' and run out, but, she wasn't that uneducated girl anymore. She was supposed to either politely decline and make up an excuse or accept.
"You can have the next one, Carl," Nicholas spoke firmly, taking Melanie's hand and starting the dance. "What did he really do to you, Melanie?"
God, what can I say? What will happen if I scream that this was the man who bought me to be his whore! Though Gran had taken her into her home and her heart, would her feelings change knowing that the man she trusted to attend to her business thought of her ward as nothing more than an escaped whore? Shaking her head, she gave Nicholas an answer. "The way he looks at me... it makes me feel very uncomfortable... I'd prefer not to have him touch me..."
He lowered his voice, "Do you feel safe with me, or would you prefer I go get Christopher?"
She nodded, swallowing hard. The thought of having Christopher near her made her feel safer. "Please do. Just don't... don't tell him what I told you. He-he already has to control his temper around Mr. Meed."
"Say no more. I understand." He stopped the dance and led her to a seat. "Miss Melanie is having a headache. I'm off to ask Lawrence for a reliever."
"Why not use the bell pull?" Nancy asked.
"It is no problem, milady," he answered with a smile, then quickly left.
Carl stood up and approached her and the urge to weep filled her. "Mayhap, a slower dance might help?" he asked holding out his hand.
"I do not know a dance slower than the waltz but I see no reason why you shouldn't dance," Nancy answered. "Unless you have one, Melanie?"
Melanie knew the weak excuse of a headache would not hold. She shook her head, and hesitantly placed her hand in Carl's. She stood up and walked to the middle of the room with him. She hissed when his hand settled on her waist.
"Imagine my shock to find my slave in my employer's house, acting like a Lady," he whispered in her ear. Melanie turned her head away from him and kept silent, praying Nicholas would move quicker.
"I could expose you, but that can be avoided." He nuzzled his nose against her cheek making her jerk her head further away in disgust. "One night, Melanie, and I'll keep your secret."
She turned to him and glared straight into his eyes. "There is no secret to keep. The only secret is the identity of the man who sought to steal my innocence."
Carl's eyes widened and she smiled at the shocked response. "I wonder what Christopher would do if he found out it was you I was running from?" His face flushed red as he looked away. "Yes, Mr. Meed. Christopher is keeping me under his protection. Threaten me again, make advances on me again, and I'll reveal your true character to him."
Carl stared back at her, the anger blazing in his eyes. "Are you his mistress? Is that why you first name him?" he hissed angrily.
Melanie had a string of curses reserved for him, ready to be unleashed but she pulled away from his sickening hold instead. "Thank you for the dance, Mr. Meed."
He pulled her back. "But we've only just begun."
"She said thank you. I won't be as kind if you do not release her, this instant." Christopher said, closing the few feet to them with three powerful long strides.
Carl quickly released her, moving away from her. Christopher stalked after him, "What are you doing here, Carl?" he snarled.
"Your grandmother invited me," he stammered, fearfully looking up at Christopher.
Melanie looked at Christopher in shock. She has never seen him in such a state before. Every muscle in his body was tensed with the strain of maintaining control. She turned to Nicholas. What had Nicholas said to him?
Nicholas moved closer to her and whispered, "Chris despises the man. All I had to do was tell him Carl was insisting on a dance with you."
She nodded, looking back at the imposing man standing a foot over the cowering one. There was no way she was going to tell Christopher that Carl was the man who purchased her. He looked ready to kill Carl, all because of a dance!
She moved to the duo and placed her hand on Christopher's arm. "Christopher, dance with me." He didn't move, his hands tightly clenched in fists. She moved between them and held his fists in her hands. "Please, Christopher. Dance with me."
Finally,