Melinda Hammond Read Online Free Page B

During the first part of the dance, the earl tried several times to open a conversation, but each time he met with the same icy response. As indifferent to her coldness as to her setdowns, he lapsed into silence. As he suspected, after a few moments she spoke.
    ‘You must know, sir, that your attentions towards me are - are not welcome.’
    ‘Because of my reputation?’
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘Alas that I should be forced now to suffer for my youthful follies.’
    Melissa was undeceived by the sorrowful note. She replied with a false smile, ‘Well, sir, now that we understand each other, pray do not remain in Bath for my sake.’
    ‘Come, ma’am, how am I to leave while you think so ill of me?’
    She chuckled. ‘If you stay I hardly think you will do anything to alter my opinion!’
    Melissa then recollected that she had abandoned her aloof attitude and returned only monosyllabic answers to his comments for the duration of the dance.
    The music ended and the earl firmly placed her hand in his arm. Melissa put up her chin, aware of the interested stares they were attracting. She tried to pull her hand away, but found his lordship’s grip too tight, making it impossible to free herself without an unseemly struggle.
    ‘What, would you give the gossipmongers even more to interest them? Ignore them, my dear, they will soon grow bored with it.’
    Melissa bit her lip: the laughter she detected in his soft drawl made her fume inwardly, but she determined not to respond to his taunts. When they at last came to her aunt, Melissa made Aldringham a stiff little curtsy and immediately turned away. In no way discomposed, the earl bowed to Lady Fryer and after a brief enquiry into her health, he walked off. Lady Fryer fanned herself vigorously as she watched his retreating form.
    ‘Well, your uncle cannot say that we have encouraged the earl this evening! It was agreed that we could not snub him, but having allowed one dance, you need not stand up with him again, Melissa. Stay close to me, my love, and we will make sure he has no opportunity to make you the object of his gallantry tonight!’
    His lordship, however, far from seeking her out, paid no further heed to Miss Langham and quit the Assembly Rooms soon after, leaving her to decide whether she was relieved or disappointed.
    The next morning, her aunt suggested they might try a little trip to the Pump Room, since the earl’s interest appeared to be waning, but Melissa declined, pleading a headache. When her aunt had left the house, Melissa took herself off to walk in Sydney Gardens with her maid. The exercise did much to restore her spirits, but as she was crossing Pulteney Bridge a familiar drawling voice behind her made her jump.
    ‘Good morning, Miss Langham.’
    Melissa stopped and looked back. Lord Aldringham had ridden up on a magnificent black horse. She gave a brief nod then turned and walked on, but the black merely trotted along beside her.
    ‘My dear girl, do stop for a moment, so that I may dismount.’
    Melissa flushed at this term of address, but biting her lip she waited while the earl jumped down and handed his reins to his groom. She wondered why her pulse should be racing so fast. They were in a busy street with her maid in attendance: he could not harm her. But nothing could dispel the feeling that the earl could do anything, if he so wished. She resumed her walk.
    ‘Pray do not interrupt your ride for me, my lord.’
    Aldringham was unaffected by her chilly manner and fell into step beside her.
    ‘My dear Miss Langham, you do not imagine that I would prefer a gallop across the hills to a few moments in your company?’ His drawling tone robbed the words of any compliment.
    ‘I can think of nothing better than to be riding out on such a beautiful day.’ She sighed.
    ‘Then why do you not do so?’
    ‘We make but a short stay in Bath. It was not considered worth the expense to bring my hack.’
    ‘If riding gives you so much pleasure surely it