Whether or not Lady Heathbrooke realized Melody’s distress, she said, “What a lovely surprise.Please show him in.”
* * *
During the last month and a half, when he’d climbed into bed, Edward had wondered if he would be back to his usual self when he woke the next morning.He’d prayed for the weight that filled his chest to ease, for the positive outlook he’d always had to return, for his mind to escape the constant onslaught of negative thoughts.
Yet the sun in his life remained absent, blocked by dark, thunderous clouds.Everything he saw was painted in shades of grey.His heart, which had once beat with joy, had grown cold.
Anger.Disillusionment.Unforgiving.
These were the feelings that clung to him every second of every day.Not because he hadn’t tried to change his outlook, but because getting past the feelings of betrayal, the crushing pain that came with realizing he’d been lied to by those he’d trusted the most, was like climbing out of a bottomless pit with no light in sight.
The life he’d once embraced with optimism and hope was now an unbearable chore to be endured.
How foolish he’d been to think he could get past Evie’s death — that happiness might be his once more.
Jaw clenched, he followed Jarvis to the dining room, where Lady Heathbrooke and Melody were breakfasting.The cunning minx might have thought she could deceive him, use him to whatever advantage she chose, then cast him aside without repercussion.She’d probably thought he’d be too good-natured to lash out in the event he discovered the truth.
Well, she would be wrong.
After what had occurred, after the fantasy she’d fed him had shattered, he wanted revenge.If he were to suffer, then she would too, until death did them part.
Hands tightly fisted to reign in the dark emotions that kept him on constant edge, he looked directly at Melody when he entered the room.Apprehension filled her gaze, and concern creased her brow.
Weeks ago, before his world had been torn to pieces once more, he might have experienced feelings of pity — a need to offer some reassurance — to forgive.He paused on this thought and considered, tried to analyze what he was feeling right now in this moment.
His heart gave a solid thud that echoed through his hollow chest.
No such gentle emotions existed.Melody was no longer the woman who lit up his life and gave him hope.She was his enemy, and as such, she deserved only his contempt.
Looking away from her, he gave his attention to his godmother.When he saw that she wore a deep frown and watched him with narrowed eyes, he forced a smile.“Good morning.I hope my stopping by doesn’t inconvenience you.”
“Not at all,” said Lady Heathbrooke.“It’s past time you came to call.”
“Agreed.”When she raised her chin a little and gave an expectant look, he crossed to where she sat and dropped a light kiss to her cheek, then retreated a step.“Happy as I am to see you, I must confess this isn’t merely a social visit.In fact, I have an important matter I’d like to…apprise you of.”
There would be no discussion, the way there had been in the past.This time, he would inform Lady Heathbrooke of his decision while making his expectations clear.No one was to stand in his way.
“Will you not have a seat?”she asked him.“An extra place can be set for you if you would like something to eat.”
“No, thank you.”He’d breakfasted before leaving home.However… “A cup of tea will be sufficient.”
“Excellent.”She smiled at him, then slid her gaze toward Melody.“Can you please collect an extra cup?”
“Of course.”The hushed words drifted toward him.
His stomach clenched with the awareness that Melody crossed to the cabinet behind him and that she would soon be near enough to touch.
Her footfalls were soft.Stealth-like.The cup was set before him without his having heard her approach.A reminder of who she truly was and the fake identity she’d made him fall in love with.
Despite the fresh anger flooding his veins, he caught her hand before she was able to make a retreat and held her in place.Her gasp was audible, his godmother’s curiosity palpable.
Edward ignored both in order to say what needed saying.“I’ve asked Miss Roberts to be my wife, and she has accepted.”
Silence followed for the second or two it took Lady Heathbrooke to find her tongue.“You cannot be serious.”
Something akin to flint had hardened the old woman’s gaze.
Edward faced it without so much as flinching.“I have never been more serious about anything else in my life.Melody Roberts is going to be my wife, and that is final.”
