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Would she ever learn to leave well enough alone? At that moment, I caught sight of the gentleman I had been seeking. “Oh, there is the colonel!” I exclaimed. “You will excuse us, won’t you, Miss Dunbar? I have been charged with making an introduction.”
Miss Dunbar pursed her lips but did not protest. It had to be the smartest decision I had ever seen her make. She made her curtsy and left us.
“Miss Anderson, if I may be so bold, you are an absolute angel,” Mr. Bywood said in a low voice. “Miss Dunbar’s inquisitiveness tries my patience at the best of times.”
“She does take an extreme interest in what others have done,” Mr. Melbourne said, staring after Miss Dunbar with a peculiar expression on his face. “I hadn’t noticed how searching her questions could be until now. I never would have described her as a gossip, but there it is. What other reason could she have to question everything?”
Discussing Miss Dunbar’s true nature was the last thing I wished to do. With a shake of my head, I said, “I saw the colonel this way.” As I walked, both men fell into step on either side of me. Colonel Mayfield was taking a turn along the edge of the room. “Good afternoon, Colonel.”
“Well, Miss Grace, what a charming picture you make today,” the white-haired man said with a smile. “And who are these two following on your train? Never say you have come to me for advice on which one you should marry.”
“Of course not!” I exclaimed. Could I not get through a day without blushing. “You know Mr. Melbourne, I’m sure. May I present Mr. Bywood? Mr. Bywood, this is Colonel Mayfield. Colonel, Mr. Bywood is seeking help on an estate matter and I thought you would be just the person to assist.”
The colonel shifted so that he leaned more on his cane. “Oh? Well, I am no expert, but I will do what I can.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Colonel,” Mr. Bywood said eagerly.
“Miss Anderson and I will leave you two to discuss what you need,” Mr. Melbourne said, offering me his arm.
My mission was complete, so I was happy to accept it. I don’t think Mr. Bywood even noticed as Mr. Melbourne drew me away. “The colonel was correct,” my new escort said in a low voice. “You are looking lovely today.”
“You do realize you’ve said that almost every time we’ve met,” I voiced. I couldn’t help a smile even though my words were chiding.
“Only almost? I apologize for stumbling! What can I say? You always look beautiful to me,” he complemented. He glanced over his shoulder. “So is it true, what you said about Bywood? He really has an attachment?”
“Do you take me for a liar? He told me himself when I first met him,” I responded. I caught a glimpse of my mother frowning at me. “He meant to reassure me that he would not be pressured into a courtship, which my mother was not subtle about desiring between him and I.”
“Ah. More fool he, though I’m sure whoever he has in mind is a fine enough lady. In my mind, there is no one who can compare to you,” he flattered. He reached over to put his free hand on mine. “Who wouldn’t be enchanted by a beautiful, talented lady who is as intelligent as she is kind.”
“I can point you to a rather extensive list,” I countered. A warm glow spread through my heart. His attention was flattering, and he’d been smart enough not to focus on my appearance with his compliments. “Be careful you do not put me on a pedestal, Mr. Melbourne.”
“Well, this is a fine scene,” Mr. Harper approached with a smile. His gaze shifted to where my hand was still covered by Mr. Melbourne’s. “Melbourne, how did you manage this?”
“Miss Anderson is worth the wait,” Mr. Melbourne said with a smile.
“I’m delighted for you both,” Mr. Harper said. He sounded sincere, but he was able to hide his emotions too well.
I tried to gauge whether his words were meant as censure or not. Mr. Harper had always assured me my grief was valid and there was no reason for me to be hurried into marriage just for the sake of being married. Was he disappointed to see the betrothed of his dead friend with another man?
Oh, dear. Would I offend Jonathan’s friends by moving on with my life?
****
THE IDEA THAT I MIGHT be disappointing Jonathan’s friends was one that remained in my mind. Was I being insensitive in pursuing my own happiness? Should I have asked first? Ridiculous! Who would I have consulted? Why should Mr. Harper care what I did with my time?
Was I overthinking the matter?
Still, I was troubled as I made my way to the cemetery. I hoped the bright, cheerful day would help lift my melancholy, but I was still distracted by the time I reached Jonathan’s grave. I knelt down to leave my flowers and to pull some of the grass that had grown up too much around the stone.
The quiet cemetery had no answer for me. But I did encounter Miss Nelson once again and had a comforting conversation with her. Though I didn’t feel as though I made much sense when I explained my complicated feelings, she listened and then assured me that my feelings were valid.
Somehow, the conversation turned to Jonathan’s final days. To my astonishment, Miss Nelson informed me that Miss Sinclair knew nothing about it but would like to know everything she could. The betrothed’s sister didn’t even know he had been ill!
It was strange that Mr. Harper, who was so thoughtful to bring me the news, hadn’t taken the time to do the same for Jonathan’s sister. Though it was not easy, I explained what I knew. Then, so that she would not have to be the bearer of bad news, I offered to pen a letter to Miss Sinclair myself.
I returned home with a sense of purpose. I sat down to pen the letter to Miss Sinclair. I described how I met her brother and how much he had meant to me. Even though I had already told the maid, I wrote all I knew about how Jonathan had died.
It was rather soothing to put it all down on paper. By the time I was finished —and I did pause for the evening meal with my parents– it was growing dark. I had filled every inch of three sheets of paper. Now I would just have to find a way to get it to Miss Nelson to carry it to her former mistress.
Why hadn’t I thought to get Miss Sinclair’s direction myself? Who knew when Miss Nelson would be able to see my letter delivered.
Stretching my fingers, I stood up from the writing desk. My parents hadn’t asked me what I was doing, which had been a relief. I’m not sure what they would have said if they knew what I was writing. I had the feeling my mother would be annoyed since any mention of Jonathan set her on edge these days.
Despite my preoccupation with the letter, I had noticed Mr. Melbourne hadn’t visited and I hoped he would the next day. When I laid my head down, I fell asleep faster than I had in five years.
****
“MR. MELBOURNE, MA’AM,” Sally announced while Mother and I were in the sitting room.
“Good heavens,” Mother exclaimed, setting her book down. “At this time of day? Does he have no concept of proper times to visit? I’m of a good mind to turn him away. How dare he think we are available at any time he chooses?”
I honestly couldn’t understand her animosity. “Well, I think his timing is excellent,” I said, setting aside my embroidery. “I find I am in need of... some ribbons. He shall make an excellent escort. Sally, please tell the gentleman I will be right down. I just need to get my bonnet.”
Sally curtsied and withdrew. “Grace Elizabeth Anderson,” Mother said in an even tone. “Why do you encourage him? He cannot be serious in this courtship.”
“He has given me no reason to suspect he is playing a game or is anything other than serious,” I rebuffed. He had visited often, sought me out at events, had taken me driving. If he wasn’t sincere, he was going to a lot of effort to pretend he enjoyed my company. “He is not the youth with a penchant for mischief that you remember, Mother.”
“I simply cannot accept this is the man you would choose after all the eligible men I have presented to you,” Mother said with a scowl.
“I’m sorry I have disappointed you. However, we cannot discuss it further because Mr. Melbourne is waiting for me.”
One of these days, I would have to have a serious conversation with Mother about her prejudice against Mr. Melbourne. He wasn’t going anywhere and I didn’t want him to. I was more than willing to see where our relationship would go once we had time to get to know each other better.
Hurrying upstairs, I found my bonnet and short spencer jacket. Really, I had no idea what I would do with new ribbons but I’m sure some project would present itself eventually.
When I came down, Mr. Melbourne was standing in front of the door, hat in hand. Thankfully, Mother hadn’t thought to come down to antagonize him. “There you are,” he said with an immediate smile. “You’re looking beautiful today.”
“Oh, hush,” I said, pulling on my gloves. I kept my eyes lowered as my cheeks flushed. “I hope you don’t mind escorting me to the shops for some ribbons.”
“I will not hush when I speak the truth and I am happy to escort you anywhere,” he said, offering his arm. He leaned close and asked, “Are we trying to escape your mother?”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “She’s not in the best of moods today, but you mustn’t tell her I said that.”
Nodding in understanding, Mr. Melbourne guided me out of the house. “I’m sorry I didn’t visit yesterday,” he said as he settled his hat on his head. “How did you spend your day?”
“I wrote a letter to Jonathan Sinclair’s sister, which was something I should have done long ago.”
Mr. Melbourne gave a start. “I didn’t realize he had a sister.”
“I’ve been informed that Jonathan’s parents were killed in an accident soon after Jonathan died,” I said as we walked along the pavement. “Miss Nelson, who was a lady’s maid in the household, told me that much. Miss Sinclair has never known the whole of how Jonathan died.”
“Poor girl.”
“I hope she will write back to me and we can be friends, but I will understand if she does not. She does not know me from anyone. I know next to nothing about her and I doubt we shall ever meet.”
“I would take you to meet her.”
Startled, I looked at Mr. Melbourne. Did he realize what he had just offered? “I mean,” he said quickly, a flush spreading up his neck. “I would arrange for a meeting. If that’s what you wished and if Miss Sinclair was agreeable.”
“You’re sweet to make such an offer,” I said, amused by his embarrassment. It was not something a gentleman would do for an unmarried lady. Not unless there were expectations...
Did he expect to marry me?
“Perhaps if Miss Sinclair is disposed to traveling, we could bring her here for a holiday,” Mr. Melbourne said, recovering his composure and enthusiasm. “If she has lost her family, perhaps a holiday will be just the thing to raise her spirits.”
“I’m not sure if she is in need of having her spirits raised, but maybe. I’ll see if I get a response before I take part in any schemes.”
“Yes, let’s focus on the ribbon we are after,” he said, his jovial tone returned to normal. “Are you in search of a specific colour? Blue to match your eyes perhaps? A cheerful green to liven up a bonnet?”
“I’ll know it when I see it,” I responded. Did I dare to be particular to extend our errand?
He tilted his head. “Miss Anderson, do you even need a ribbon?” he asked. His tone became one of mock accusation. “This has been a ploy to spend time with me! Admit it!”
With a laugh, I shook my head. “I told you we were escaping my mother.”
“And here I thought we were on an important mission! I feel betrayed.”
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I said, “You are ridiculous sometimes. I hope you know that. When would acquiring a ribbon be considered in need of anything as serious as a mission?”
Mr. Melbourne brought his free hand up to his chest. “Say you don’t mean it! Choosing a ribbon is a serious matter, and if you don’t know what colour you need, how will we know if we get the right one? It could be just a shade wrong and imagine what a disaster that would be!”
“Where did you learn such dramatics if you didn’t have any sisters?”
“You forget my neighbour Elizabeth,” he said cheerfully. “I learned all my dramatic flair from her.”
Why did his teasing amuse me? I did not suffer ridiculousness or fools lightly, but Mr. Melbourne made me laugh. Or, at least, I would laugh if I knew it would encourage him. Instead, I bit my cheek and shook my head.
“One of these days, Ms. Anderson, I will make you laugh and you won’t try to stop,” Mr. Melbourne said, patting my hand. “Don’t you know life is easier to enjoy if you laugh. It makes the times better and the good time shine brighter.”
“That almost sounds poetic.”
“Are you a reader of poetry?”
“Are you not?”
He shrugged. “I’ve not read much of it, I will admit. I know ladies are in raptures for Byron’s work, but I’ve not had much interest in it.”
“Poetry is one of the things I shared with Jonathan,” I admitted. “And neither of us cared much for Byron. We used to read Shakespeare to each other when we sat in my mother’s sitting room.”
Pursing his lips, Mr. Melbourne nodded. However, I felt a pang of regret for bringing up Jonathan again. “But,” I said, as brightly as I could, “as you said, we are on a mission for a ribbon now. Not a discussion about the superiority of reading poetry.”
“We are,” he said, his expression lightening. “What shall it be? Will your mother be more convinced if it is a blue ribbon or should it be a green one? Pink, I think, would be out of character for you.”
“Why? I like pink?” I replied. It was not a favourite colour, it was true, but how would he know that?
“I think white would be more convincing than pink,” he said firmly. “I cannot think of a single gown that you own that is pink and none that a pink ribbon would make an admirable addition. No, it is not the colour we want.”
Even Jonathan hadn’t paid particular attention to what I wore, let alone the colour. It was flattering that Mr. Melbourne had.
“Do you wish for my advice or have I merely been brought along to carry your purchases?” Mr. Melbourne asked as we approached the front of the shop.
“Oh, just to carry my boxes,” I said, quickening my steps to get ahead of him. I smiled at him over my shoulder. “Maybe if you have sensible advice to give, I might be tempted to listen. I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you though.”