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To my surprise, that insufferable man was in attendance at the Colonel and Mrs. March’s party that evening. Somehow, he became my partner for a game of whist. That, coupled with the fact that Miss Dunbar was at the same table, informed me that the evening was not to be the enjoyable one I had expected to have.
“I feel I ought to apologize to you, Miss Anderson,” he said as the cards were dealt. “I should not have questioned your actions earlier today. It was kind of you to look past the boy’s action to see what must have driven him to steal.”
“What happened?” Miss Dunbar asked with a great deal of interest. “You must tell us all! We are all agog.”
To my embarrassment, Mr. Melbourne related what had occurred outside the Pump Rooms. Mrs. March shook her head once she had heard it all. “My dear, thievery ought not to be rewarded. Kind and well-meant, you may have been, it just should not have been done. A constable should have been summoned to deal with him as he deserved.”
“I cannot believe I missed seeing that,” Miss Dunbar said with a pout. A moment later, her face cleared. “Shall we play now? Mrs. March, have you heard from any of your husband’s friends who are still on the continent?”
It didn’t surprise me that Miss Dunbar was annoyed. She disliked the attention being taken away from her and I did not mind her pulling it back to herself. It was sweet of her to ask after the colonel’s friends. So many of them could be on their way home now that Napoleon had been removed from power.
With cards in hand, our game began. Mrs. March was chattering away about a friend who had recently returned home after being away for several years. Miss Dunbar was listening intently. My mind, on the other hand, began to wander.
How had Mr. Melbourne known who I was when we met at the card table? No one had introduced him in the Marchs’ home. Had he remembered me on his own, once he had time to think about it? Or had that maid, Miss Nelson, enlightened him?
I played a card without even thinking. Mrs. March gave a delighted laugh while Mr. Melbourne groaned. “Oh, Miss Anderson,” Miss Dunbar said, shaking her head. “Where is your mind today?” She reached over to put her hand on my arm. “Are you having a bad evening?”
She had a talent for annoying me in an instant. “I confess I did lose focus for a moment,” I said, shifting so that she could not touch me so easily. “But I am certainly not having a bad day. You know I do not often have luck when it comes to cards.”
“How kind of you to be so concerned,” Mr. Melbourne said, smiling at the other young woman.
Why wasn’t I surprised to see him try to turn her up sweet? It seemed everyone thought her to be a sweet, innocent young lady. Any missteps she made was just learning her way in society. Of course, there was no maliciousness intended on her part.
Obviously, I was not in the mood for polite society if I was so easily put out. Miss Dunbar shook her head and refused to look at Mr. Melbourne. “Mrs. March, you were saying a captain you know has been tasked with guarding Napoleon?” she said. “What shall he be doing? Tell me all.”
Her question only added to my annoyance with the whole situation. I could understand being curious about something, but why did she demand to be told all? It did not concern her and matters were still on edge with Napoleon being in custody. Speculation would be had, but the details should not be widely spread lest the wrong person overheard them.
“Do you meet Miss Nelson often?” Mr. Melbourne asked in a low voice.
“I have only met her a few times,” I said, still watching Miss Dunbar. She was listening to Mrs. March with a remarkable amount of concentration. “She has visited Mr. Sinclair’s grave on behalf of her former employer, Miss Sinclair.”
Mr. Melbourne’s expression became serious. “You still go yourself?”
“I regularly visit my betrothed’s grave to ensure it is maintained and tended. He was buried away from family and I will not have it said Jonathan Sinclair has no one to remember him now that he is gone!”
I didn’t realize my voice had risen so many octaves until Mrs. March reached over to pat my hand. “My dear Miss Anderson, you are so loyal,” she said with a smile. “Would that all our brave soldiers and sailors had such devoted sweethearts or wives waiting for them.”
Miss Dunbar played a card. “Are you sure you are well, Miss Anderson? You seem most unlike yourself.”
Ha! She did not like that our small group had turned their attention to me again. I forced a smile. “Thank you for your concern, but I assure you—again—that I am well. Will you all be attending the dance this week at the Rooms?”
Mrs. March needed no further encouragement to launch a discussion about the new dances she had heard about. Miss Dunbar made a valiant attempt to direct the conversation back to returning soldiers. She was to be disappointed as Mr. Melbourne was exceptionally knowledgeable on dance movements.
Though it may have been petty, I was immensely pleased to see the other girl thwarted just once.
****
MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, as soon as my parents and I arrived at the Rooms for the ball, Mr. Melbourne appeared at my elbow. “Miss Anderson, I hope you will honour me with the first dance,” he said immediately. “And will you make me known to your parents?”
Since they were right next to me, there was no way to refuse gracefully. I wasn’t even sure why I hesitated. He had been a friend to Jonathan. Why wouldn’t I be pleased to know him? “Mother, Papa, this is Mr. Melbourne,” I said. “You may remember him as Mr. Sinclair’s friend. Mr. Melbourne, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.”
“Yes, I do remember,” my father said, nodding in acknowledgement. “It is a pleasure to see you again. How is your father?”
“Very well, sir,” Mr. Melbourne said with a smile. “Do you know him, then?”
“We attended school together. Ah, the trouble we got ourselves into,” he replied. My father stepped closer to allow for better conversation.
“Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, I see a friend Grace and I must speak to,” Mother said, linking her arm with mine.
“I will find you for our dance,” Mr. Melbourne said, meeting my gaze.
Why did that make me so nervous? The Rooms were as full of people as I had ever seen, so it was a bit difficult to hear Mother as she spoke. “My dear, was that the young man Mr. Sinclair was always looking after all those years ago?”
Here it came. Mother would be thrilled to have another single gentleman to push me towards. “Yes,” I said with a sigh. “He has changed, hasn’t he? I don’t remember him being so tall.”
“I hope he has learned how to control himself,” Mother said, her tone full of censure. “I have not forgotten how he imbibed too much one evening and ended up half-dressed in the street. It was shocking.”
Astonished, I glanced over my shoulder, however, Mr. Melbourne was out of sight. “I don’t recall the incident,” I said honestly. And it did sound like something I would have remembered hearing about. “How wonderful that he has grown out of such antics.”
“Or, perhaps, he has moved on to other, worse actions.”
Was it possible I had found the one man my mother wouldn’t try to match me with? Would wonders never cease? But, of course, I could not forget that she had been kind enough not to push me at Mr. Conrad Ingram. Two miracles so close together was more than I could have ever hoped for.
“Good evening, Mrs. Forrester,” Mother said as we approached the woman. “How are you today?”
“This crush is really intolerable,” Mrs. Forrester said without any greeting. “Sarah says this is desirable, but how can a body have a conversation with such noise? And so many people! How is one to find a friend in such a crowd?”
“Well, we found you,” I said with a laugh. “Everyone wants to be seen by everyone else, you know.”
Tutting, Mrs. Forrester shook her head. “I must say, you are looking very fine this evening, Miss Anderson. That shade of blue suits you very well. If my grandson were here, I’m sure he would ask for the first dance.”
“Oh, that would be—” Mother began to say, her eyes lighting up with delight.
“I’m afraid I would have had to refuse as Mr. Melbourne has already requested to partner with me for the first dance,” I said, ruthlessly interrupting. Did Mother really hope there was a chance for me with Mr. Forester? “But should your grandson request another dance, I would be happy to accept.”
Mrs. Forrester raised an eyebrow. “And who is this Mr. Melbourne? Have I met him? The name is unfamiliar.”
“I cannot say,” I said. “I am not sure how long he has been in Bath this season. Is Miss Forrester with her brother? I have not seen her yet.”
After regarding me with a narrow-eyed stare, Mrs. Forrester said, “Indeed. They said they were going to get some punch. I imagine James found some friend to talk to and who can say where Sarah has taken herself off to?”
A hand on my elbow made me jump. “I think the orchestra is preparing to begin,” Mr. Melbourne said with a smile. “Shall we?”
“Mrs. Forrester, may I make Mr. Melbourne known to you?” I said, trying to cover my surprise. Mrs. Forrester gave a regal nod. “This is Mr. Adam Melbourne, who is visiting Bath. Mr. Melbourne, my friend Mrs. Forrester.”
Mr. Melbourne bowed. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I must steal Miss Anderson away now or we will miss our dance. I shall return her to you afterwards.”
Other couples were lining up. “I didn’t say it earlier, but you look beautiful tonight,” Mr. Melbourne said right before he released my arm to take up position across from me. He smiled at me.
“I...what?” I breathed. The breath left my lungs. Had he really just said that? Why was he saying it now, on the dance floor of all places? I had been informed I looked very well, even lovely. But it had been five years since anyone had called me beautiful.
He even sounded as though he meant it.
“Surely you must have heard that from everyone you’ve spoken to tonight,” Mr. Melbourne said earnestly. “I can understand why Mr. Sinclair was so enamoured with you five years ago. He was a fortunate man to have won your hand, and I am sorry you did not get the happiness you both deserved.”
I wanted to walk off the dance floor and find some place to cry. How dare he say such things to me when I couldn’t react as I wanted?
The first steps of the dance began for Jenny’s Market. I knew it well and moved without even thinking about what came next. “I can see I have blundered,” Mr. Melbourne said in a low voice. “I did not mean to offend or discompose you.”
“No, I am fine,” I reassured. I wasn’t really. Why was he singling me out? Why was he looking at me with such sympathy? Oh, why had I agreed to dance with him?
“No, I can see that I have upset you,” he said before we were separated by the dance. When we were together a few seconds later, he continued, “It was thoughtless of me to mention my friend in this setting. You told me yourself that you still visit his grave. I respect you for your loyalty. Not many would have the same devotion.”
“Then you have not known enough women in your life,” I said, more sharply than was necessary.
To my surprise, he merely nodded. “I agree completely. I have no sisters and seldom visit my female cousins. My poor mother died when I was too young to know her.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize—”
“How could you? Though you and I met five years ago, we did not become acquainted at all, did we? I was young and my only concern was to enjoy myself however I could. Too impatient to know a friend’s intended wife.”
Again, his words sounded honest and sincere. “You cannot blame yourself for that,” I felt obliged to say. “I did not make an effort to know you either. You were Jonathan’s friend who always seemed to find trouble and I didn’t bother to help you as Jonathan did.”
“You are kind to suggest it would have been appropriate. Shall we start again?”
We parted for the movement of the dance, giving me a few seconds to think. Jonathan would want me to be kind to his old friend. Mother had already expressed a distaste of him. She wouldn’t push me at him as a prospective husband.
Nevermind Mr. Bywood had offered such companionship before and I had not been inclined to accept.
“Yes, let’s,” I said when I was once again face-to-face with him. “It is a pleasure to see you this evening, Mr. Melbourne. Are you enjoying Bath?”
“More now that I have met you,” he said without breaking eye contact.
Oh. Oh, dear. I felt the blush heat up my cheeks. “Mr. Melbourne, there’s no reason to turn me up sweet. We are friends, of course.”
“Miss Anderson, I assure you, I am being completely sincere. I am delighted to be partnered with the most beautiful lady in the room—in all of Bath, in fact.”
Again, I could hear no trace of mockery in his voice. “Sir, you are acquainted with Miss Dunbar. She is the acclaimed beauty of the Season, you know. I cannot compete with her, and do not intend to do so.”
“You are kinder than that lady, and that adds to your physical beauty.”
Heavens above, what could he mean by such flattery? I should have been angry, but I couldn’t find any trace of that emotion in mind. Granted, my emotions could not be trusted, as they were hopelessly muddled.
“I hope I shall hear you play soon,” Mr. Melbourne said, shifting our conversation. Maybe he saw how flustered I was and was taking pity on me. “I have heard you are a talented musician.”
It was easier to speak of music, and the change of topic came as a relief. For the remainder of the dance, our conversation remained neutral. As we left the dance floor, Mr. Melbourne managed to catch my hand and squeezed it. “I look forward to our next dance,” he said.
My heart skipped a beat, and it took several moments for me to realize he hadn’t asked for a second dance. He had brought me to my mother and Mrs. Forrester and he left me with them before I could say a word.
“What a charming young man,” Mrs. Forrester said. “You made a lovely couple. I quite liked him.”
Charming was an excellent way to describe him. But I could not shake off the question of why he had sought me out. Why now after so many years?