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blacken herself comes as a bit of a surprise.”
“Ahem,” Mélisande cleared her throat, glancing to the doorway as a yawning Charlotte appeared.
The girl brightened upon seeing David, and Mélisande sighed. I’m going to have to discourage that... She looked over at him: he was shoveling food into his mouth and had barely paused to greet the new arrival. Even then, it was only a curt nod and a grunt. For a so-called authority when it came to women, he was certainly oblivious.
It didn’t seem to matter to Charlotte, however. “What brings you here so early?” she asked, leaning over his shoulder to see what he was reading.
David flipped the paper over. “None of your business, poppet,” he responded absently, moving the papers to the other side and continuing to read.
Mélisande winced as a flicker of pained irritation crossed Charlotte’s face. Should she tell David he was the object of such ardent juvenile affection? If he should laugh and poke fun at Charlotte, she would be devastated.
Meanwhile, Charlotte moved to the other side, still trying to read over his shoulder.
“I’m assisting Melly with some business, if you must know,” David told her a bit sharply, again moving the papers out of view. “Tedious stuff, but necessary. You certainly shan’t ever have to worry about such things, little one,” he added with a patronizing smile. “By the end of the Season, you’ll have a husband to manage such pesky details for you.”
At the word husband, Mélisande observed Charlotte look at him as one might a particularly delectable confection. Thankfully, David was intent on his breakfast and didn’t notice her predatory expression.
We definitely must have that talk sooner rather than later.
She was distracted from all such thoughts when the butler appeared to announce a guest. The Duke of Gravina had come to call. A quick glance at the clock on the mantel told her it was not yet even midmorning.
“Merde!” she swore under her breath. Rising, she excused herself, not bothering to have the servant show her guest into the parlor to await her leisure. Thank God she had other company present, although it certainly wouldn’t stop her giving him a piece of her mind. She swept into the entry hall like an avenging Fury.
“You should have waited until this afternoon to call,” she snapped as she entered. “I’m sure anyone who saw your arrival will be wondering at such an early visit.”
“I could not help myself,” he confessed, having the good grace to look contrite. “I shall take my leave immediately and return this afternoon, if you like.”
All recriminations died on her lips at the look in his eyes. They shone with some unnamed emotion, the violet shadows beneath them telling her he’d not slept well, either.
“No,” she said. “Your premature arrival may actually work to our advantage, as it provides an opportunity to discuss a matter of some importance in private. Follow me,” she commanded.
As they exited the foyer, she signaled a footman. “Have tea sent to the blue parlor at once,” she ordered without pausing, lest her trembling become visible. They entered the parlor and she closed the door, not caring what the servants might think. With any luck, it was about to be moot.
The moment the door shut, the few feet separating them vanished.
Alessandro kissed her in an echo of the pent-up desire that had been building from the moment she’d left him the night before. “I had to see you. I had to know you were real,” he rasped hoarsely, lips moving from her mouth to her jaw, trailing little kisses from there to the tender place just below her ear.
A thrill shot through Mélisande, spreading warmth to every part of her aching body. “I assure you I am quite real,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his neck. A pang of longing took her for a split second as she tasted his skin, but she fought it and pulled back. It was not the time or place for such things, no matter how much she wished otherwise.
“There is something we need to discuss,” she said, gathering her wits. Purposefully avoiding the settee, she took a seat in one of the chairs. She needed to think, which was impossible to do with him too near. “I have in my care Reggie’s sister, Charlotte, whom you met last night. Her parents are unable to travel to London due to infirmity, so I offered to bring her out in their stead. She’s living here with me through the Season, and preserving her reputation is my first responsibility.”
Alessandro’s immediate nod made it clear he understood. “I shall act with the utmost propriety during my visits here,” he promised. “I have no desire to ruin you or your friend.”
“It still might not be enough to prevent harmful rumors. Alessandro, we must be extremely careful,” she warned.
“If I must stay away, then I shall do so, but I hope it won’t be necessary.” His eyes pleaded with her.
She hesitated, clasping her hands. There really was no other choice. “You said last night that it might be better if people thought you a suitor. I have thought about it, and I am willing to do it, if you are. Not for my sake, but for Charlotte’s,” she added quickly, “and with the assurance that when we are ready to part ways, we shall devise a suitable means of mutual public release from any perceived obligation.”
Mélisande waited, praying he had not reconsidered.
“I agree to the ruse,” Alessandro finally told her. “But we will still need to use caution in conducting our liaisons.”
“Of course. I’ve already sent several messages this morning regarding a location for our rendezvous,” she lied. “Everything should be ready in a matter of days.” She hoped.
Before he could comment, a timid knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Mélisande called, thinking it was the servants bringing tea.
