The Buccaneer and the Bastard by Merry Farmer

Author:Merry Farmer [Farmer, Merry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-11T16:00:00+00:00

“What about Mr. Hazelton, though?” Lady Fangfoss pressed Melanie, her expression twisted with distress. “He’s a perfectly fine gentleman.”

“Perhaps he is, but he is not the man for me,” Melanie insisted.

“It’s a shame about Wilton,” Lady Fangfoss sighed. “I was so certain he would do for you.”

“No, my lady,” Melanie nearly growled in frustration. Lady Fangfoss had been working her way through every male houseguest since she dragged Melanie aside, and Melanie’s patience was near its end. “I am engaged to Mr. Crymble.”

“But he is not suitable at all,” Lady Fangfoss complained, wringing her hands. “What will people think when they hear that the two of you met at my house party?”

Melanie’s brow shot up. “Is that your concern, my lady? That my attachment to Frank will somehow reflect poorly on you?”

“This is not what I had in mind at all,” Lady Fangfoss fretted. Melanie could tell it was a half-lie. “This is not what I trained and educated you girls for all those years ago.”

“To be honest, my lady, Mr. Crymble is not what I had in mind either,” Melanie said, tilting her chin up. “He is a thousand times better, even if society abhors our match and shuns us forever. Mark my words, Frank and I will have the final laugh on this matter.”

She turned and marched away from Lady Fangfoss, knowing she was being rude, but too aggravated by the situation to do anything else. She’d known all along that one of the hallmarks of society was the mistaken belief that a woman had a right to keep her business to herself, that everyone and then some felt as though they had a right to comment on things, but she hadn’t realized how frustrating it would be.

She was ready to scream with that frustration when she spotted Frank storming across the garden, as if he, too, were frustrated beyond belief. The sheer relief that she felt at the sight of him was a balm to her soul. From the moment they’d first entered into things, Frank had been a pillar of strength and fortitude. In a way, he had more censure to endure than she did, and she admired him beyond telling for weathering the storm that had broken over them. Frank was bold and generous, handsome and clever. He was, in fact, everything she ever could have dreamed of. Perhaps they could find a secluded spot to spend the day together without anyone else’s interference.

She picked up her pace, ready to run to him if she had to, when Angeline’s call of, “Melanie, can I have a word with you?” stopped her in her tracks.

Frank had just noticed her at that moment. He and Melanie shared a fleeting smile of warmth and longing, but the moment was ruined as Melanie let out a growl of frustration, then schooled her face into a smile as she turned to Angeline.

“What can I do for you, dearest?” Melanie asked her, pretending more happiness at the sight of her sweet friend than she felt.

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