by Vikki Vaught
Melody bravely smiled, then said, “I’ll see you soon. Take care of yourself and return to me as soon as you can. I love you, and I’ll miss you terribly. May God keep you in his loving arms while we’re apart.”
He bent down, softly kissed her, and left the room. He quietly closed the door … He was too overcome to say anything.
Henry made good time and was back at the garrison late that evening. There had been no more news while he was gone. When he walked into their cottage that night, it seemed so empty without Melody. He knew he could not stay there without her. There were just too many memories, so Henry told Mansfield to pack his things and make sure that everything was ready to leave in two days, and then he left to go back to the garrison.
Tension was high and morale low. Everyone was anxious to just get this over with. News came that Bonaparte had been declared an outlaw on March 13, and he had arrived back in Paris on the twentieth. The French peasants and the low class welcomed him, declared him Emperor again, and the French King fled.
Henry got his orders, and he was to leave for the continent on April 4. He got permission to go home for the weekend. He made the trip in eight hours and poor Jupiter was worn out when he arrived home. He told Freddie to give him plenty of oats and hurried into the house.
Henry rushed up the steps and threw open the door. “Simpson, where is my wife?”
Simpson said, “I believe she is at luncheon in the small dining room, my lord.”
Henry ran up the stairs and did indeed find Melody and his sisters sitting down to luncheon. As he entered the room, he said, “Melody, I’m back, but I can only stay the weekend. I leave for the continent on Tuesday, but I was able to get away to see you before I go.”
“Oh, Henry, I’ve been dreading this news for a while! Do you have any idea how long all this will take?” she asked, with concern written all over her sweet face.
Keeping his voice cheerful for Melody’s sake, he said, “Darling, there’s just no way to know, but most of us believe we’ll have Bonaparte back into captivity quickly. I feel that this will be one large battle and that we will be victorious. Please, I don’t want any of you worrying about this. England will prevail. Now, let’s talk of something more pleasant. What did you have planned today?”
Melody bravely smiled and said, “Have you eaten yet? Please take a seat and join us. We were just talking about visiting some of the tenant farmers later today. The Morrison family is down with an ague, and we took them some of Cook’s famous chicken broth. I’m so thankful they let you come, even if it is only for the weekend!”
Henry joined them, and soon they were talking and laughing over silly tales, which helped to take their minds off where Henry was going. After lunch, they decided to take a walk in the garden and go down to the maze, as it was such a nice day. They walked holding hands and just glad they were able to see each other one more time before Henry had to leave for the continent.
They spent every moment together. They took long rides, and they were even able to go on a picnic, since the weather was unseasonably warm. On Sunday, they went to Mass together. They tried to make this time as normal as possible and pretend that this was not the last time they would see each other, for God knows how long. Making love was so poignant and tender that it brought tears to Melody’s eyes. They were able to avoid his parents so they did not have to deal with any conflicts. Melody told Henry they had treated her well and that he did not need to worry about her. She had Helen and Kathryn; she was helping Helen get ready to go to town for her first season, and Helen was very excited about it all. Nelson was already in town, getting the house ready for all of them, and they were planning on leaving around the middle of April. Melody had decided not to go but stay at the park with Kathryn instead. She told him that since he could not be there, she would not have an enjoyable time anyway.
After church, they went up to their rooms, and they made love until he had to go back to the garrison. They had agreed they would not have any tearful good-byes. As Henry was getting ready to leave, she kissed him and said, “I’ll see you soon, my love. Now go get rid of that terrible Bonaparte so you can come back to me.”
“I’m sure this will be over quickly, and this time, we’ll be rid of him for good. Please write me, darling. Your letters mean the world to me. This will all be over with soon, and then we’ll go up north and have a very happy life. I promise!” Henry pulled her close and kissed her one last time, and then he left the room.
When Melody woke up the next morning, she remembered that Henry was gone. She did not feel well, so she decided to stay in bed for the day. Helen came to check on her, but Melody just told her that she wanted to be alone. She promised she would be up and about tomorrow.
The next morning, she got up and was resolved to not be morose. She went downstairs to the breakfast room, and Helen and Kathryn were already there. Melody filled her plate and joined them at the table. As they ate their breakfast, Helen mentioned that she needed to go into the village that day and pick up some things from the dressmaker and Melody agreed to go with her. While they were in the village, they also went to the bookshop and the confectionery. Over all, it was a pleasant morning, and the time went swiftly by. That afternoon, Melody went to Helen’s room so she could model all her new clothes she would be taking with her to London. Again, the afternoon went by quickly. Melody appreciated what Helen was doing. She knew she was trying to take Melody’s mind off Henry. At four o’clock, they went down for tea. The duke and duchess were already in the drawing room when they arrived.
“I see you have finally chosen to join us, gel. You have been avoiding us, I do believe,” stated her grace.
Melody smiled pleasantly and said, “I haven’t intentionally been avoiding you. I just haven’t been feeling well, but I’m feeling much better today. Are you looking forward to going to town next week?”
“I’m ready to leave the country. I enjoy the season every year, but this one will be particularly busy, what with Helen’s come out and presentation at court. I just hope she will meet someone this season, and we can marry her off,” she said.
In frustration, Helen said, “Mother, I told you that I don’t want to get married yet. I want to just enjoy myself this year and not take anything too seriously.”
Melody put her arm around Helen as she said, “Helen, you’re going to have so much fun. I know you’re going to be well received. You’ll have dozens of beaus, and you may meet someone very special, just as I did when I met your brother. I didn’t go to London with the expectation that I would meet someone and be married seven months later. Sometimes, it just works out that way. I want you to be happy, so just keep an open mind when you get there.”
“I guess you’re right, Melody. I wouldn’t mind finding someone like you did. Someone that I could love and that would love me as Henry loves you.” Helen looked over at Melody with determination in her eyes. “I wish you would change your mind and come with me. We would have so much fun, and you could help me navigate through the ton. Please change your mind and come with us. I think it would be better for you. It would help keep you from worrying so much about Henry. Please say you will come?”
Melody could tell this was important to Helen. So she said, “Well, maybe I’ll go for a few weeks, just to help you adjust, if it’s all right with your parents.”
The duchess turned to her and said, “You can come with us. I know you would help entertain Helen and keep her busy, so I can enjoy myself with my friends. At least, until the season gets fully under way and Helen makes her curtsey at court. Yes, I think it would be a very good idea for you to come, so no more discussion.”
They finished their tea and biscuits, and everyone went upstairs to rest before dinner. Melody thought Helen was probably right and that going to town would help take her mind off Henry, now that he had left for the continent. Once she got there, she might change her mind and stay for the entire season. They went to the schoolroom and told Kathryn that Melody was goin
g to London after all.
“I’m glad that you decided to go, Melody. I think it will be good for you. It will take your mind off Henry, and I know he would want you to go and have a good time. He won’t worry that you’re sitting here alone feeling blue and worrying about him. You need to write him and let him know you’re going.” Kathryn wistfully hugged Melody and then said, “I wish I could go. Even if I’m too young to be out in society yet, I would love to be able to visit all the museums and go to some of the other attractions that are available in London. I’ve never been able to go there.”
Melody wanted to help Kathryn feel better, so she said, “Helen and I will see if we can convince your mother to let you go and just stay while I’m there. I’ll tell her that I’ll help to keep you entertained and will chaperone you so she doesn’t have to do it herself.”
Kathryn hugged her tightly as she said, “Oh, thank you, Melody! I hope she’ll say yes. Will you ask her tonight after dinner?”
“Yes, Helen and I will both do our best to persuade the duchess to let you come with us,” she said. “Well, I need to go to my room, so I can read. I’m at a good spot in my book and want to finish it before dinner.”
Melody sat down on the chaise in her room and was soon lost in her book. Before she realized, it was time to get ready for dinner. She called Millie and was soon ready to go down. She arrived in the drawing room, just as everyone was ready to go into dinner. The duke gave her a hard cold stare. It was obvious that he was not pleased that she was cutting it close and had almost been late again. Dinner went well, and soon the ladies left his grace to his port.
Melody and Helen approached the duchess and Melody said, “Your grace, we would like you to consider letting Kathryn come to town with us. Now that she will be left all alone, except for her governess, she’ll be lonely. Remember that always before, she had Helen to help entertain her, but Helen won’t be here, since she’s going to town, and now I’ll be going as well. She’ll be all alone. Please let her come, just for the time while I’ll be there.”
Melody watched the duchess closely, hoping she would say yes, because she knew this was important to Kathryn. Then the duchess replied, “You make a very good argument for Kathryn. I agree she would probably get into mischief, if left on her own. She can come, as long as you take full responsibility and keep her entertained.”
Melody was shocked but so happy for Kathryn. She could not believe she had actually convinced the duchess! “Thank you, your grace, I promise to watch over her. I know it’s what Henry would want me to do, and besides, I love Kathryn very much and find her company delightful.”
Helen and Melody went to the pianoforte so Helen could play and Melody could sing. This helped to pass the rest of the evening, and at ten o’clock, they went upstairs to bed.
The next morning, they told Kathryn that the duchess had agreed to allow her to go to London. Kathryn ran to Melody and Helen and hugged them. She was overjoyed that she was able to go and started talking about all the wonderful things she would be able to do. Melody was pleased that she had been successful in persuading the duchess to allow Kathryn to go. Maybe the duchess was starting to accept her, because she had been a little nicer to her lately. She knew she was making the right decision to go with everyone, because it would help keep her mind off what Henry would be doing.
CHAPTER 11
April 1815
THE NEXT WEEK went by quickly, what with getting everything ready to go to town. Before Melody knew it, they were off to London. The trip was pleasant, and soon they arrived at Sanderford House. Melody had never been there, so she was amazed at the size of it. It looked almost as large as Buckingham palace. There was a level of opulence she had never seen. It was somewhat overwhelming, and she was sure she would get lost before she learned her way around. Melody liked the library most of all, because it had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and she could just imagine spending many delightful hours curled up with a good book. After the housekeeper, Mrs. Stewart, finished the tour, she showed them to their rooms. The suite she would be using was beautiful. Melody could see herself spending many pleasant hours writing letters at the small delicate French desk in the sitting room. She loved the soft shades of mauve and cream in the sitting room, and the bedroom matched. Of course, what would have been Henry’s room adjoined her room. His room was very masculine with another large bed with heavy dark mahogany furniture, and she thought of Henry and wished he was there so he could make love to her in that big bed. She liked the colors used to decorate his room. The shades of deep green with beige accents were very restful, and then she felt a sharp stab of pain, remembering what Henry was doing and where he was. They would have had such an enjoyable time, just like last year. Oh well, there was no use dwelling on what could not be. That would only cause her to become melancholy, and she knew that Henry was counting on her to be strong. She was still waiting on a letter from him. It had only been a fortnight since he had left for the continent. She probably would not hear from him for at least another week.
The first week went by quickly. They went to the modiste, Madame Devy and were having new gowns made up for the season. Melody was pleased to see that the duchess seemed to be more pleasant ever since they had arrived in town. It had been her idea for Melody to have a new wardrobe along with Helen. She told Melody that she needed new clothes because, after all, she was now part of the family and needed to dress accordingly. The duchess was very controlling about what she would wear and was constantly making comments about Melody’s weight. She told Madame Devy to make sure that all Melody’s gowns hid her plumpness. This was quite embarrassing to Melody, but there was nothing she could do about it except maintain her dignity. Just when she thought she was making progress with the duchess, she found out that she was wrong. She realized that the only reason the duchess was buying her new clothes was that she did not want Melody to embarrass her. She did compliment Melody on doing a fine job of entertaining Kathryn, but Melody knew this was because she did not want to have to do it herself. They had all their new clothes by the second week. Melody just wished Henry could see her in all her new finery. Madame Devy was brilliant, and she did have to admit that her new gowns were very slimming.
Finally, Melody received her first letter from Henry. He was very busy, and his men were impatient to get a chance at Boney. They landed on the continent and were making their way to Brussels. It would be a slow process, but they should be there by mid-May. The weather had been truly dreadful. Henry told her that it had been raining everyday since they landed. He seemed to be in a good frame of mind, and he reminded her that he loved her and missed her very much. She was relieved to hear from him and immediately wrote back. She let him know that she had been having a lovely time with Kathryn. They had gone to several museums so Kathryn could see art by some of the great masters. Kathryn enjoyed her art instruction and diligently worked on her lessons. The duchess had even consented to let her continue her instruction even though they were in London.
That evening, they were all going to the Duke of Ashurst’s opening season ball. Melody had a beautiful, new ball gown to wear. Once she was dressed, she noticed how nice she looked in her gown, which was a deep rose satin with gold trim on the bodice. The gown was simple yet elegant, and it definitely enhanced all of Melody’s best attributes. Millie did a remarkable job on dressing her hair in a new style, which was very flattering to her face. Nelson would be escorting them to the ball. It was so nice to see him again, and he looked happier than she had ever seen him. He had shared with her that he had been spending quite a bit of time with Mrs. Harrison, and they were getting to know each other very well.
Melody descended the stairs, and most of them were already in the entry hall. They turned to look at her, and she could tell that they were impressed with how well she looked. Nelson met her as she stepped down from the stairs. He bowed, raised her hand, and kissed her fingers as he said, “Melody, you look lovely. I may have to watch out for you. There will be quite
a few men trying to get your attention this evening. I’ll have my work cut out for me, protecting you from them.”
Melody looked over at Nelson with astonishment in her eyes. Surely, he did not think she would want other men flirting with her. “Nelson, I would never give my attention to any other man. I only want Henry, you know that.”
Nelson laughed as he gave her a quick hug and said, “I do. I was just teasing you. Henry would be very proud of you if he could see how elegant you appear tonight.” Nelson turned to everyone and said, “Well, it’s time to be off.”
They all got in the carriage to travel to the Duke of Ashurst’s residence It appeared that the ball would definitely be a crush as they waited in line with all the other guests. A red carpet was rolled out to protect everyone’s evening attire, and finally, it was their turn. The footmen helped all of the ladies out of the carriage, and they went up the stairs. At the head of the stairs, the majordomo announced their arrival. Melody was slightly taken aback by all the heads that turned when her name was announced. They moved through the receiving line, and she made her curtsey to the Duke and the Duchess of Ashurst. The duchess was a lovely woman, only a few years older than Melody. She gave her a welcoming smile, told her she was glad she could come, and mentioned that Melody should come for a visit so they could have tea together and get to know one another. They eventually made it down the stairs, and Melody spied her friend Susan standing by Aunt Miriam. They greeted her warmly, gave her a hug, and kissed her on the cheek.