The Melody of A Lady's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Aria Norton

  “He's a good man who loves our daughter, and she loves him. Don't you realise our daughter seemingly changed overnight when we ended her lessons? It wasn't about the lessons, but the man we removed from her life. You know we suspected that her affections for him were growing, and we assumed taking him away would make her forget him, but we failed to realise the power of love.”

  Henry sighed, rubbing his face. “This is not the way things are done.”

  "I know that as much as you do, my love, but we have to decide on what's best for our daughter. I cannot tell you how heartbroken I was to hear her repeat back to me everything I have taught her over the years. Our daughter has never been a conventional girl, Henry. Does it not stand to reason that she would fall in love with somebody society would disapprove of?"

  Margaret watched her husband get to his feet and move to the window. She came to stand beside him, taking his hand.

  “We have to do the right thing, my love. I know that it's difficult, and we'll face some backlash, but things will eventually die down. The scandal will last for a moment, but our daughter's happiness will last for a lifetime.”

  “Very well,” her husband finally said. “Write a letter to that boy and invite him to dinner tomorrow evening.”

  Margaret stood on her tippy toes and kissed her husband's cheek. "Just when I think I cannot love you any more than I do, you prove me wrong."

  An arm snaked around her waist, drawing Margaret to her husband. He kissed her head and rested his against her.

  Nathaniel was about to leave his house when a footman stopped him and handed him a letter. Nathaniel immediately recognised the Barclay coat of arms.

  “Why on earth would they send me a letter?”

  Could it contain some poison that would kill him as soon as he opened it? No, the Lord and Lady Pembroke were not murderers. Were they?

  Nathaniel opened the letter with some trepidation, his head pulled away just in case. Fortunately, it only contained a note, and nothing else.

  “They wished to never see me again. Why would they contact me again?”

  Confused, he read the letter. By the time he reached the end, Nathaniel didn't know whether to cry or shout. They had reconsidered their decision and were now giving him a chance to make amends with Helena! Wait, was this a trick of some kind?

  “Perhaps I read it wrong.”

  Nathaniel reread the letter, quickly coming to the same conclusion. He wasn't wrong- they had indeed changed their minds.

  “This is marvellous! Stupendous! But how?”

  Had what he said moved their hearts? It didn't matter, did it? The fact remained that he would see Helena again, and hopefully, convince her of his love. Nathaniel was soaring so high he was worried he might never come down. He laughed, spinning around with his eyes closed and his arms thrown out.

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” he cried, punching the air.

  Nathaniel came to a sudden stop, remembering something. He could not approach Helena and ask for her hand in marriage while betrothed to Beatrix.

  “I'll have to end the engagement right away! There's no time to lose.”

  What if Helena rejected him? Even if she did, Nathaniel still couldn't marry Beatrix.

  “My heart belongs to Helena, and will always be hers. It wouldn't be fair to marry Beatrix knowing this.”

  As chance may have it, he was already on his way to see her.

  Beatrix smiled widely when Nathaniel entered the parlour, but it soon dropped when she noticed his mood. Why is he so happy? She instinctively knew it had nothing to do with her.

  "Nathaniel, I'm so pleased you could come today. We have so many things to discuss about the wedding."

  “About that,” Nathaniel began. “I'm afraid we'll have to call the wedding off, Beatrix.”

  “What?”

  “I should have never agreed to it in the first place- we both know this.”

  “But, but, but... why?” she cried. “Why have you changed your mind? Just yesterday we were discussing when we should have the banners read, and now...” Beatrix narrowed her eyes. “Does this have something to do with Helena?”

  The idiot couldn't stop the grin from lighting up his face when Beatrix mentioned Helena's name.

  "Yes, it does,” he readily admitted. “You know that I had every intention of being with Helena, but misunderstandings arose, and we were snatched apart."

  Did Nathaniel know she was to blame for the misunderstandings? It appeared not.

  “How can you say this to me?” she demanded. “That woman betrayed you! I've never betrayed you, Nathaniel, and yet you're ready to leave me for her.”

  “But you must understand, Beatrix,” he insisted. “It was all a misunderstanding, you know. Helena never betrayed me. Rather, I was the one who hurt her because I'm a selfish fool.”

  “Lies!” Beatrix shouted. “All lies!”

  Nathaniel pulled his head back. “Get a hold of yourself, Beatrix. This is unlike you.”

  “How do you expect me to remain calm when you're calling this engagement off and running back to that woman? How do you expect me to feel?”

  Nathaniel frowned. “I expect you to understand as my friend. You and I both know we do not love each other, but I do love Helena.”

  “Do not mention that woman's name to me,” she commanded, turning away from him.

  Oh, she was so mad she could spit! Everything was falling apart in front of her, and Beatrix could do nothing about it. How could my plan have failed? She sucked in her breath when she realised who had interfered.

  Beatrix spun around, pinning Nathaniel with a stern gaze. "That maid came to see you, didn't she? She told you about the misunderstanding, and now you're running back to that woman like some fool. Have you no pride? I pity you because you'll be turned away by her parents. They will never allow you to marry their daughter."

  “That's where you would be wrong,” Nathaniel corrected.

  “They are the ones who have given me the chance to make amends with Helena. Frankly, I'm surprised at your reaction, Beatrix. I never realised you could be so... nasty. I'm rather glad this situation has revealed this side to you.”

  Too stunned to react, Beatrix watched Nathaniel walk away, closing the door silently behind him. Uttering a shriek, she knocked over a lamp and watched it crash to the floor, just like her life.

  Chapter 25

  Helena would rather have a quiet evening with her parents, but they had invited a guest over, and now she would be forced to put up with small talk.

  “I'm in no mood to receive anyone, or talk to anyone outside of this house.”

  Luke was the exception because she would marry him, but even he annoyed Helena at times.

  “Well, it's out of your hands,” said Rose.

  Helena had forgotten her friend was lurking in the corner of the room under the guise of looking for her brooch. I'm confident it's nowhere near this room, but she insists on looking for it. I can only assume Rose is keeping a watchful eye on me. Helena didn't know why, and she didn't bother asking why. What was the point of worrying about such things?

  “Hush, and find me something to wear. I couldn't be bothered to dress up for this guest.”

  “You should always look your best when guests come to see you,” Rose scolded. “It shows your mother has taught you well.”

  “I'll be married in a matter of months- is that not proof enough that my mother has taught me well?”

  "Not necessarily. You're extraordinarily beautiful, and that makes men lose their minds over you. You could be the most horrible person to have ever walked the earth, but you'll still have suitors chasing after you for your beauty."

  Helena pursed her lips. “Why must you always be right? It's an annoying habit.”

  “I find it annoying that since you got engaged, you've ceased to worry about your appearance. You didn't comb your hair yesterday- I checked. You're falling apart day by day, and it worries me.”

  Helena did feel that she was spiral
ling downwards, but she didn't have the strength to stop it. However, she didn't want anyone to be alarmed by it. Did I indeed forget to brush my hair yesterday? What had she done yesterday?

  “I had tea with Mama yesterday, and I'm quite certain I brushed my hair.”

  “You brushed the top! If I put my hands in your hair right now, I'll never get it out again due to all the knots. I can't do anything about it today, but tomorrow we're going to wash it and de-tangle it.”

  Helena grimaced. “Must we? I rather thought I'd have a reading day tomorrow. Or perhaps I'll attempt to paint again, although everything I paint looks horrible. I think I've lost my ability.”

  That should have alarmed her, but it didn't. Strange. Rose, on the other hand, looked positively frightened.

  “It's not possible to lose such a thing, is it?” Rose asked. “No, I don't think so. Don't worry, it'll come back to you in no time at all.”

  "Will it?" Helena countered. "I don't think it matters. I'm certain Luke will not want a wife who spends her time painting. He'll probably want me to attend social parties and be like every other married woman. Eventually, I'll be confined to our house when I grow big with child. I wonder what sort of mother I'll be? I hope fair and fun. Although I suppose I'll have to see what Luke will say."

  Rose shook her head. “Do you hear yourself? This does not sound like you, Helena! What has become of you?”

  "Why, nothing at all. At least, I don't think so. I feel fine, and despite my supposedly messy hair, I look fine. Or have I suddenly become ugly overnight?" Helena looked in the mirror and saw her usual self staring back at her. "I still look the same, although I do think I've lost a little weight. Do you see it?"

  She turned to her friend, alarmed, when she saw tears in her eyes. Rose immediately looked away, using her apron to dab her eyes.

  “Rose? Have I said something to upset you?”

  “No. I just got something in my eye.”

  Helena grinned. “That sort of excuse does not work on me, you know. I know you better than that. Is something bothering you?”

  Helena saw her friend's shoulders go up as she took in a deep breath, and slump back down before turning to her.

  “I feel fine. I must be more tired than I initially thought, so it'll be an early night for me. I better get your dress and accessories because our guest will be here any minute now.”

  Rose pulled out a navy dress with embroidery along the bodice, navy shoes, and a simple diamond necklace. The woman did what she could about Helena's hair, complaining the entire time. Finally, Helena was done and just in time because Judy came to call her.

  “You look beautiful, Helena,” said Rose. “Please, try to enjoy this evening?”

  "Very well. I'll try just for you, but I do not promise anything more. For all we know, the guest might be horrible and stinky. In that case, he or she had better sit far away from me."

  Rose chuckled. “I'm sure that's not the case at all. Go on, I'll tidy up your room before I retire for bed. Do you think you'll need me once dinner is over?”

  “No. I'll simply throw my dress on the floor for you to pick up tomorrow. How does that sound?”

  “Blissful,” Rose laughed.

  Helena smiled and held it in place until she left her room. She dropped it soon after and went downstairs. Keeping up a cheerful attitude was not easy, but she did it for her loved ones. They don't deserve to feel bad because I can no longer feel happy. She could always breathe a sigh of relief when she was alone, because then the mask came off, and Helena was free to be as sad as she wanted to.

  “I assume the guest must be in the drawing-room with Mama and Papa. If I find the person tiresome, I shall come up with an excuse to leave dinner early.”

  Helena entered the drawing-room, coming to an abrupt stop when she recognised the man sitting with her parents. She smiled as she felt her entire mood lift, but reality quickly hit her squarely in the chest. There's no reason to be happy to see him. They were betrothed to others, and that was the truth of the matter. Fortunately, no one saw her reaction as they were engrossed in whatever they were discussing. I don't understand what he is doing here, but I suppose it's time for me to act once again.

  "Monsieur Baudelaire, how good to see you again," she said, walking into the room. "I trust you're well?"

  Everyone got to their feet, including Helena's mother, and watched her warily. What was the matter?

  “Good evening, Lady Barclay,” Nathaniel greeted, bowing. “Yes, I'm well, thank you. How are you?”

  “Wonderful. I didn't know that you were the guest for this evening. My parents said not a word.”

  Helena looked at her parents, raising her eyebrows. They had some explaining to do, but later. For now, Helena would graciously receive their guest and pretend that nothing at all was wrong.

  “We wanted it to be a surprise, dear,” her mother said. “We know how you enjoyed your violin lessons with Nathaniel, so your father and I thought it would be lovely to have him join us for dinner.”

  They were calling him Nathaniel now? Since when are my parents informal with him? I must have missed something.

  “My violin lessons seem a day and an age ago, and yes, I did enjoy them at the time, but now I have other interests. Is dinner ready? I'm famished.”

  Helena's mother nodded. “Yes, it is. Nathaniel, why don't you escort Helena?”

  Helena wanted to protest, but that would seem foolish. It was only natural for him to escort her.

  “Shall we, Monsieur Baudelaire?”

  Helena lightly laid her hand on his forearm, gritting her teeth against the butterflies that had erupted in her belly. Stupid feelings.

  Like a true gentleman, Nathaniel pulled out her chair and tucked her in. Helena thanked him and could have gladly kicked his chair out from under him when he sat down beside her.

  “Wouldn't you rather sit on the opposite side?” she asked sweetly.

  "I'm fine right here. if you don't mind."

  “Of course not. Why would I mind? You may do as you please, Monsieur Baudelaire.”

  Dinner progressed, and the first course was served. Helena hardly tasted her food but continued to eat bite after bite.

  “How is London treating you?” Nathaniel inquired.

  Did he really need to ask that question? “Well, thank you.”

  If Nathaniel was expecting her to return the question, he was in for a surprise. I'll answer him, but I'm not going to ask anything.

  “My stay in London started off rather rocky, and it steadily grew worse, but now I can honestly say that it has become rather enjoyable.”

  Lucky for him. “Oh?”

  “Yes. I'm hopeful for a good outcome.”

  He was undoubtedly talking about his betrothal to Beatrix. “Oh, how lovely.”

  When would this man stop talking? This entire situation is not good for me. I wish Mama and Papa had asked for my permission before inviting Nathaniel. If only they knew how torturous this is for me. Helena couldn't help recalling all the good times she and Nathaniel spent together and hated herself more for it. She felt herself slipping further into the miry bog of melancholy, and wondered if there was an end to it.