by Vikki Vaught
The duchess returned his stare as she replied, “Well, I guess we will just have to make the best of a bad situation. I will treat her as you expect, but do not expect me to like it. I have never understood what you saw in her to begin with, but it is too late to do anything about it now.”
As Henry turned to leave the room, he said, “You’re right about that. Going forward, you will be pleasant to my wife, and let me say this, if I find out that you have said anything to hurt her, you will answer to me. I’m the head of this family now, and you need to remember that!”
He went to their rooms and found Melody already asleep in her bed. She looked so tired, yet so very lovely. He wanted to wake her up and kiss her all over, but he knew that he had promised to give her time to adjust to everything. Besides, it would not be right to make love until he could move beyond his feelings about her going on with her life. He went into his room to think about all that had gone on while he had been gone. He was feeling very overwhelmed and much older than his eight and twenty years. He truly found it amazing that he was a father. He never doubted that Mary Elizabeth was his child. She looked so much like Helen, when she was a young child. He knew there were bound to be difficult times ahead, but he still loved Melody very much. He would just have to try harder to get over his anger at what he irrationally saw as her betrayal.
He never expected to be the duke, nor had he ever wanted to be. He was just a soldier. He had never wanted to be anything other than that. At least, he had spent that short period of time going over everything with his father before Nelson had died. Henry went down to what had been his father’s study; it was his study now. Stallings had left several reports on his desk for him to go over, but he was just too tired to peruse them that night. He poured himself a large snifter of brandy and proceeded to get royally drunk.
The next day, Melody woke up, and the room was full of sunshine. At first, she could not remember where she was, but then it all came back to her. She was back at Sanderford Park. She hastily dressed and went to find her children in the nursery. Mary Elizabeth came running to her, as soon as she saw her. Melody went down on her knees and gave her a big hug. Then she picked up Brandon and hugged him close. “How are you feeling this morning? I know that all of this must be a little strange to you, but this is your new home. Look at all the lovely toys for you to play with. These toys belonged to your father and his sisters when they were children. Mary Elizabeth, look at all these beautiful dolls. Won’t you enjoy playing with them?”
Mary Elizabeth looked at her mother with her big blue eyes and nodded her head. “Yeth Mama, I tink I like it heyo.”
The nursemaid came over and introduced herself. “I’m Suzie, and I have been taking care of Lady Wyndham’s children, your grace.” At first, Melody thought her mother-in-law must have walked into the room, and then she realized that Suzie was addressing her. How strange it was to hear herself being addressed as her grace! She was not sure she could get used to that.
Melody asked, “Have my children had breakfast yet? They usually eat porridge.”
“Yes, your grace, and a fine breakfast it was! The children especially liked Cook’s special oatmeal,” Suzie replied.
“Well, good, I’m glad they enjoyed it.” Melody then turned to her children and said, “I’m going to leave you with Suzie now, but I’ll see you later after I go and talk to his grace, all right?” She looked over at Suzie and asked, “Where is Mrs. Worth? She’s my children’s nurse.”
“She went to get something, but I’m sure she’ll be back any minute. Do you want me to go find her for you, your grace?” Suzie asked.
“No, I’ll speak with her the next time I come to the nursery.” Then after giving Mary Elizabeth and Brandon a hug and a kiss, Melody turned and left the room. After she closed the door, she took a deep breath and thought to herself, now it is time to find Henry. She went downstairs and went to the study to see if Henry was there.
Melody knocked firmly and with purpose on the door. Henry said, “Come in.” When he saw her he added, “Melody, don’t you look refreshed. Did you sleep well?”
Melody looked at Henry and smiled, then said, “Yes, Henry, I feel much better after a good night’s sleep. Did you sleep well yourself?”
Henry came around to the front of his desk and leaned back against it as he said, “It felt strange to be in my father’s room, but I did sleep, and I feel much refreshed. Were your rooms acceptable? Please feel free to redecorate if you want.”
“My rooms are fine. I may want to change them later, but for now, they will do. I’m sure your mother was not happy about moving out of them.” Melody looked around the study, remembering the last time she had been in it and felt deep sadness roll over her. This was where Nelson had told her about Henry’s death and that was one of the last times she had seen Nelson alive.
“I had Mother move out of the rooms before I left to bring you home, and while she’s not happy, she’ll adjust once some time has gone by.” Henry looked up and saw Melody’s face and asked, “Are you all right? You look incredibly sad.”
Melody met his gaze and said, “I’m all right. I was just remembering the last time I was in this room. It made me think of Nelson and how horrible it is that he’s gone.”
Henry took her hand in his and gently said, “I miss him too. I also miss my father. I’ve been going through some of his papers. There’s so much to learn, and I don’t really know where to start. I never expected I would have to be responsible for all of this. I just hope I’m up to the challenge.”
Melody wiped a tear from her eye, and then she smiled bravely as she said, “I’m sure you’ll have it all well in hand in no time. You have always been very quick at everything, and I’m sure that once you get everything under control, you’ll do splendidly.”
Henry looked reassured and nodded his head. Then he asked, “How are the children this morning? Do they seem to be all right in the nursery? I’m sure that all of this must be very overwhelming for them.”
“Children are quite resilient, and they adjust quickly to a new environment. As long as they have toys around them, they’ll be fine. How did your mother take the news about Brandon?” she asked.
Henry sighed deeply and said, “Much as you would expect. She’s back to her old vindictive self again. I knew it was too good to believe that she had mellowed. I told her she was to treat you with respect. Have you seen my sisters yet?”
As she watched Henry walk back around his desk, she replied, “No, I came to see you first. I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet. How about you? Have you eaten?”
Henry shifted some papers around and said, “Yes, I ate an hour ago. I’ve been going over some reports Stallings left for me. I expect he’ll be here soon, so we can go over them together. Why don’t you go into the breakfast room? I’m sure you’ll find my sisters there.”
Melody nodded her head as she replied, “I think I’ll do that. I’m very hungry, and I seem to be getting my appetite back. Before you know it, I’ll be back to my old plump self again.”
Henry laughed as he said, “Good, because I like you much better a little plump! Would you like to go riding this afternoon? I can probably break away around two o’clock. Would that work for you?”
“I would like that, Henry. Just be patient with me, for I haven’t been on a horse for a long time. Well, I’ll let you get back to your work, see you later.” She turned and with a wave of her hand, she walked out of the study.
Henry watched as Melody left the room. God, she was so lovely. He wished they could go back to before Waterloo! Henry knew he had to find some way to forgive her. That was the most promising conversation they had had since they had found each other again. They just needed to take some time to get used to each other again. He knew that Melody was very uncomfortable about being a duchess, and he could not blame her. He was still getting used to being the duke, and he had had over two months to accept it.
Melody made her way to the breakfast room and bot
h Henry’s sisters were there. As she walked into the room, she was greeted enthusiastically. Helen and Kathryn both came over and gave her a hug, and then she hugged them back as she said, “It’s so good to see you both. I’ve really missed both of you tremendously. I’m sorry I quit writing to you. I was so scared when I found out about the baby. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly. I hope you’ll forgive me?”
Helen smiled reassuringly at Melody and said, “Henry told us about everything. Since I know how poorly you were treated by my parents, I can understand why you did it. But, Melody, surely you realized that Nelson would have protected you. He wouldn’t have let them hurt you.”
“I know that now, but at the time, I was still grieving the loss of your brother, and all I wanted to do was feel safe. I was just too afraid your parents would take my daughter away that I wasn’t thinking rationally.” It relieved Melody tremendously that Helen seemed to understand why she stopped writing to them.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re back with us, and I don’t want you to ever leave again,” Kathryn said.
Melody turned to Kathryn and smiled, then said, “Just look at you! Kathryn, you’re all grown up and so pretty. Are you still planning on being an artist?”
Kathryn smiled enthusiastically as she replied, “Yes, and Mother and Father let me continue with my art lessons. I’m much better than I was when I painted that portrait of you back in 1814, and I can’t wait to paint your beautiful children. We peeked in on them this morning before we came down for breakfast and they’re adorable.”
“How is Mary taking the loss of Nelson?” Melody asked. “I was so pleased to hear that they had married. I’m sure they loved each other very much. I met her children this morning, and they both seem to be well-behaved children. Angela looks so much like Mary and so does Roderick. Where is she this morning?”
“Mary hasn’t taken losing Nelson well at all. She rarely comes down for meals, and she doesn’t even spend much time with the children. Hopefully, you can help her learn how to cope with her loss,” Helen explained.
Helen and Kathryn sat back down, and Melody went to the sideboard and filled a plate. She made herself eat some coddled eggs with bacon and toast, and of course, she had cherry preserves with her toast. After they finished their breakfast, Helen and Kathryn decided to take a walk in the gardens and Melody went back upstairs to her children.
Melody met Henry at the stables at two o’clock so they could go riding. Her old riding habit was very loose on her, but at least, she could still wear it. After she returned from her ride, Millie would take it in so it would fit better in the future. They decided to ride down to the lake. When they got there, Henry helped her down from her horse. Melody felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her veins as Henry placed his hands around her waist to lift her down from her horse. He held out his arm for her to take, and they started walking around the lake. They soon came to the spot where they had spent many a happy moment together laughing and making love. It brought back so many wonderful memories.
Henry stopped and turned toward her, then said, “I remember this spot well. In fact, when I was getting my memory back, this is what I dreamed we were doing. We had many wonderful afternoons here, did we not?”
As Melody gazed up at him, she replied, “Yes, we did. I feel so strange being here. I never thought I would ever see this place again, much less be here with you. I never stopped loving you, Henry. Brandon understood that you would always have my heart.”
Henry looked out at the lake, and then he answered, “I’m beginning to understand that, but it will take time for me to accept that you were with another man. I find it hard to believe there was no love between you. Melody, I know you couldn’t have been with him if there had been no feelings.”
Melody earnestly said, “It was different, Henry. Brandon was my best friend and I had known him all my life. Of course, I loved him, but I just wasn’t in love with him, not in the same way I love you. It’s hard to explain, but we did have a good marriage, and he was such an honorable man. I wish you had had a chance to know him better. When I first returned to my parents, Brandon helped me deal with my grief. Since he had recently lost Lily, we consoled each other.”
“I’m relieved that you had someone whom you could depend on. I just wish you hadn’t married him. I’m trying to move past this, but it’s going to take a while. Well, enough about that. Did you enjoy spending time with my sisters?” he asked.
“Oh yes, Henry, and they’re so beautiful. I always knew Helen was beautiful, but Kathryn has really grown into a lovely young lady. She still seems a little shy, but not as much as she used to be. I haven’t seen Mary yet. They told me that she isn’t handling Nelson’s death well at all. I hope she can find it in herself to begin to move on. It does take a while, and it has only been a little more than three months. I was still grieving deeply, even a year after I thought I had lost you. The only thing that helped me was our daughter. Of course, when my parents died, I had to make some very difficult decisions as you are well aware of,” Melody explained.
They turned around and started walking back to their horses. When they got to them, Henry pulled her into his arms and gave her a gentle kiss. Melody responded immediately and returned his kiss. It felt so good to have her in his arms again; he might not have forgiven her, but he definitely still wanted her very badly. Melody melted in his arms; he deepened their kiss, and she responded by putting her arms up around his neck and pulling him close. Soon their tongues were dueling as Henry took his hand and kneaded her breast. It was as if they could not get close enough. It was the best feeling that either of them had felt in three years. Melody’s knees gave out, and Henry pulled her to the ground. He pulled up her habit and found her sweet spot. She was dripping wet and ready for him; he ripped open the buttons on his breeches and surged home. He was in heaven. He pumped into her forcefully, and Melody went wild; she grabbed his buttocks, pulled him tightly against her, and met him stroke for stroke. All of a sudden, she stiffened in his arms and went soaring, just as Henry made a final thrust and his seed spilled into her. They went limp and clung to each other as if they never wanted to let go. They both just lay there in shock. It had been such an electrifying experience. Gently, Henry pulled out of her and sat up. He looked at Melody and she blushed.
“Melody, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked. “I didn’t mean for that to happen and certainly not so roughly.”
Melody couldn’t look at him, for she was so embarrassed. “No, Henry you didn’t hurt me, far from it. I wanted you as much as you wanted me.”
God, she was so beautiful with her cheeks flushed from the passion that had just taken them away from all their problems. “You’re right. I did want you desperately, but I promised you that I would give you time to adjust, and what do I do? Ravish you the first time we’re completely alone. I hope you can forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Henry. I’m your wife, and as I told you earlier, I never stopped loving you. You’re the one who can’t forgive me.” He felt a stab of pain when she said this. God, why did this have to happen to them!
“I know, Melody, but I just can’t get the picture out of my head. I keep seeing you in Brandon’s arms, and I just burn up. I have never thought of myself as a jealous man, but when it comes to you, I just don’t like sharing.” Oh, why could he not let this go!
Melody looked at Henry with sadness in her beautiful eyes, and it just about tore him apart. He had to move beyond this, if they were going to get back to the way, they were. He stood up and offered Melody his hand so he could pull her up. Melody straightened her clothes, and Henry tried to button up his breeches, but some of the buttons had come off. He did get them fastened, eventually. He helped her mount her horse, mounted his, and they headed back to the house. They didn’t talk on the way back because they were both deep in their thoughts.
Once they got back to the stables, they both dismounted, and Henry turned to Melody. “I need to get back t
o my study. I told Stallings that I would be back by three o’clock, and it’s after that now. Let me escort you to the house so that you can go freshen up and change your clothes. I’ll see you this evening at dinner.”
Melody went up to her room and had Millie draw her a bath. She got undressed and slipped into the tub. Millie left her to soak and took the riding habit with her so she could take it up for Melody. What an exhilarating experience. She had never felt so much passion, and she had definitely felt passion before, but nothing so intense. Melody thought about the afternoon with Henry and wished there was something she could do so he would forgive her. She guessed he was right. She just needed to give him time. She thought about the fact that she had not realized she would have inherited everything Henry had. She was amazed that she did not think of it at the time, but she realized she still did not regret marrying Brandon. She felt it had been the right thing to do for Mary Elizabeth. She just hoped that eventually, Henry would realize it. Melody finished her bath and dressed so she could go and visit her children.
The children had just gotten up from their naps. Mary Elizabeth came running over to her and cried, “Mama, I have fun. I have new fiend and hew name is … is An … ge … wa. Can I wealwy pway witf hew evee day? She live heyo too.”
“Yes, darling, she’s your cousin, and I’m glad to see that you like each other. Have you been playing with Brandon?” she asked.
Mary Elizabeth looked up at her and said, “Mama, he just wittle. He don’t know how to pway. All he do is cwawl. He puw my dollhouse down.”
“I know that he is little, but he is your brother, and you need to help Mama take care of him.” Mary Elizabeth nodded her head, and then the little girls ran back to the dollhouse and started playing with it again. Melody picked up Brandon and turned to Mrs. Worth. “Have they been behaving themselves for you?”
Mrs. Worth curtsied and answered, “They’re little angels, your grace. The girls have been playing together all day, and they’re getting along well. Roderick was feeling a little left out because he doesn’t have someone his own age to play with, but he’s a good boy. His mother came and got him so she could spend some time with him.”