Dreaming of You (23 page)

“Believe me,” he said, dropping his amused gaze to the earl’s plum-colored tights and gold-buckled shoes, “I shall.”
 

Nearly two hours after her arrival, Melody had danced with a court jester, a masked highwayman, King Henry VIII, and two swashbuckling pirates, but she had yet to encounter the Duke of Rutherford.  It was disappointing, however with such a large gathering it wasn’t all that surprising, for there had to be at least several hundred guests crowded within the large, overrun ballroom.
 

As her most recent partner escorted her from the dance floor, Melody thanked him politely and then promptly excused herself.  The crush of people was making it quite warm, and after dancing three straight sets in her heavy velvet gown, she was in desperate need of a breath of fresh air and a quiet moment to herself.  Making her way to the far side of the room, she quickly skirted the edge of the crowd and then made a beeline for the outside terrace.  There were several sets of French doors that had been opened to
allow in the cool night air, and in the hope of going unnoticed, she deliberately avoided the doors leading to the center of the terrace and chose to exit through a set to the far right.
 

As she’d hoped, the dimly lit side terrace was unoccupied.  Removing her mask, she raised her face skyward, welcoming the cool air as it blew gently across her face.
 

“I’ve missed you,” Anastasia said with an alluring smile.
 

They stood near the edge of the dance floor, several feet separating them from any of the other guests as they spoke in hushed tones.  “I have been busy,” Gavin hedged.  “Though I can hardly imagine that you have been languishing unattended in my absence.”  His tone was light and devoid of jealousy.  
 

“Would you believe me if I told that I had been?”
 

He quirked his brow, eyeing her speculatively.  
 

“I am only teasing, darling.”  Anastasia laughed, the sound rich and throaty.  “You and I have no false expectations.  It is one of the reasons we get on so well, is it not?”
 

“It is indeed.  
One
of the reasons,” Gavin replied with a saucy wink.
 

“You know, you could pretend to be a little jealous, for the sake of my ego if nothing else.”
 

He grinned, enjoying their playful banter.
 

She cocked her head to the side, studying his expression.  “Is it another woman who has been keeping you so
busy
of late?”
 

“No, it is not another woman,” he replied equably, lowering his voice as the music that had helped to obscure their conversation came to an end.  It was true enough, for although Melody Cavendish frequently occupied his thoughts, she certainly hadn’t been occupying his bed, at least not yet anyhow.
 

“Well then, would you care to take a stroll through the rear gardens, Your Grace?”  Her tone was whisper soft and blatantly seductive as she placed her hand on his forearm.  
 

He eyed her flowing white gown, the diaphanous one-shouldered garment belted at the waist with a thin gold chain, so easily removed with just a few simple flicks of the wrist.  “It is rather warm in here,” he said, already leading her toward the nearest set of French doors, casually winding their way through the large group of costumed revelers exiting the dance floor.
 

Turning to reenter the ballroom, Melody was about to reaffix her mask but stopped short as a man and woman exited through the very set of doors she’d been about to enter.  Noting her presence, they halted on the white marble floor of the terrace just a few feet in front of her.
 

“Lady Edgington,” Gavin said in surprise.  Reaching up, he pushed his mask upward and then pulled it off entirely.
 

“Oh, good evening, Your Grace,” Melody replied, as her eyes moved from him to the woman at his side, noting as they did the proprietary manner in which Countess Petrovich’s hand rested upon his arm.  In her other hand she held a beaded white and gold mask attached to a beribboned wand.
 

“I do not believe that we have met,” Anastasia said, eyeing Melody curiously.
 

“Allow me to make the introductions then,” Gavin said quickly.  “Anastasia, may I present Lady Melody Cavendish, Countess Edgington.
 

“How do you do,” the dark-haired beauty said, smiling politely.
 

“Lady Edgington, may I present Countess Anastasia Petrovich.”
 

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”  With difficulty, she managed to get the words past the sudden lump in her throat as she eyed the other woman.  Her simple, figure-hugging costume enveloped her lush curves like a second skin, leaving Melody feeling woefully unsophisticated in her modestly cut medieval gown of crimson velvet.
 

The countess nodded her head courteously in response before she spoke.  “His Grace and I were just coming outside for a breath of air.”  
 

As Melody looked on, the countess’ fingers seemed to tighten slightly around the duke’s forearm.
 

“I fear I was becoming a bit…overheated.”
 

Gavin tensed at Anastasia’s subtle innuendo, silently cursing his misfortune in stumbling upon Lady Edgington at such an inopportune moment.
 

“I see.”  Unfortunately she did see, quite clearly in fact, for there was an unmistakable air of intimacy between the two that was impossible to miss.  She recalled the night of the Middleton’s ball, and what Penny had said about the duke’s amorous activities.  Were he and the countess lovers?  The sudden notion made her feel physically ill, and the lump within her throat seemed to thicken as she attempted a smile.  “I too was overcome by the warmth inside,” she said, deliberately misinterpreting the countess’ comment, “and sought a bit of fresh air myself.”  
 

Her voice sounded slightly uneven to his ears, and studying her face, Gavin noted that she looked rather pale.  “Are you feeling unwell, Lady Edgington?”
 

Unwell?  
She felt as if she were about to toss up her accounts.  “A slight headache,” she fibbed.  “It’s nothing.”  Taking a step to the right, she felt slightly off balance.  Seeing Gavin for the first time since discovering his identity was difficult enough, but combined with the sudden suspicion that he and the gorgeous brunette on his arm were lovers, well, it was all a bit more than she had anticipated.  “If you will both excuse me, I should be getting back inside.”  She took another step, forward this time, her head spinning.  Reaching out, she placed her hand on the doorframe to steady herself as she made to move past them.
 

“Perhaps we should escort you back inside,” Gavin said, his expression growing concerned.  
 

“No, that isn’t necessary, really.”  
Get ahold of yourself
, she commanded silently.
 

“You
are
looking a trifle unwell,” Anastasia noted, her own expression now showing concern.  She released Gavin’s arm and stepped toward Melody.  “Perhaps I should assist you to the ladies retiring room.”
 

“No, I-”
 

The countess made a tisking sound as she reached for Melody’s arm.  “I insist,” she said, pulling Melody gently toward the door as Gavin looked on.  “Mayhap if you sit and rest for a few minutes the headache will pass.”
 

She was about to decline the countess’ offer once again, but then glancing between her and Gavin, she abruptly changed her mind.  “Yes, I think you may be right.”  Taking the countess’ arm, she allowed the woman to lead her back inside without further argument.
 

With his forgotten mask dangling from his fingertips, Gavin watched as Anastasia obligingly escorted Lady Edgington back into the ballroom.  Following just a few steps behind, his amorous assignation inadvertently thwarted, his mood wasn’t frustrated, but rather slightly bemused instead.  He hadn’t missed the telling glance Lady Edgington had cast between he and Anastasia just before accepting her offer of assistance, and he’d found it remarkably enlightening.
 

When Melody returned to the ballroom a short while later, she quickly scanned the room, pleased to see that Countess Petrovich was presently conversing with a small group of women near the refreshment table, for after making sure that she was well-attended, the countess had left her to the care of the Markham’s accommodating staff.  Fearing that she and the duke might have attempted another excursion out onto the darkened terrace; she was immensely relieved to see that it wasn’t so.  
 

Intending to locate her cousin, Melody adjusted her mask and then moved to rejoin the raucous crowd of characters, deliberately moving in the opposite direction of Countess Petrovich.
 

“Lady Edgington, I trust you are feeling better?”
 

She’d only taken a couple of steps when she stopped and turned, surprised by the duke’s sudden presence.  Had he been waiting for her to return to the ballroom?  The possibility pleased her immensely.  “Yes, Your Grace.  I
am
feeling much better now, thank you.”  
 

She had donned her mask once again, but Gavin was pleased to see that the lower portion of her face was no longer a chalky white and once again full of color.  “I didn’t have a chance to mention it earlier, but please allow me to tell you now, how lovely you look this evening.”
 

“Thank you,” she murmured, feeling her breath catch in her throat as he studied her.   
 

“Lady Guinevere, is it?”
 

“Yes, that’s right.”  Attempting to disguise her unease, she titled her head to the side, and then lightly tapped her index finger against her chin as her gaze swept him slowly from head to toe.  “And you are…?”
 

“A decidedly poor sport,” Gavin acknowledged.
 

His wide grin was utterly unrepentant, causing Melody to laugh softly.
 

There it was again.  That laugh, that sweet, melodious sound that sent an odd chill racing along his spine.  He stared at her in wonder, his smile gradually fading.  
Could it be?
 

Melody watched his changing expression and her own grew serious.  “Is something wrong, Your Grace?”
 

Gavin shook his head as if to clear it.  “No, no of course not.  A wayward thought, nothing more.”  He smiled apologetically.  Damn Nelson for planting those ridiculous suspicions in his head.  Though he hadn’t yet heard back from the investigator, he found it nearly impossible to believe that the beautiful lady standing before him was anything at all like the woman Nelson had described.  And if there
was
even an ounce of truth to what Nelson had said about his uncle’s widow, it certainly didn’t mean that it had anything to do with him.  The whole thing was completely preposterous,
wasn’t it?
 

Melody eyed him intently.  Did he sense something?  Had her voice, or perhaps her laugh triggered a distant memory, or was it something else entirely that had caused that sudden faraway look in his eyes?  She wished she could see into his mind, his thoughts, but of course she couldn’t.  As frustrating as it was, she had no way of knowing what he was thinking or feeling at that moment.
 

As to what she was thinking and feeling however, that she did know.  Everything had changed, everything was different now.  This was the man who’d taken her innocence, the man who’d shown her such kindness and compassion, and ultimately taught her the meaning of passion.  This was the man whose hands had stroked and caressed every inch of her naked form, the man who had touched her body and her heart as no one ever had before or had since.  This was the father of her children, the man she was hopelessly in love with.
 

She needed to tell him the truth, and sooner rather than later.  It would do no good to prolong the inevitable.  Not now of course, not here, but at some point she needed to get him alone, to speak with him privately.  She’d thought to pen an invitation, inviting him to take afternoon tea at her home perhaps.  It was highly improper of course, for they were not that well-acquainted, as far as he knew that was, but what else could she do?  She could hardly show up on the Duke of Rutherford’s doorstep unannounced, requesting a private audience.  But if he suspected something?  Perhaps she
should
extend the invitation now.
 

“Your Grace, I-”
 

“Ah, here you are, Melody.”  Penny glanced back and forth between Melody and the duke as she approached.  “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
 

Melody turned at her cousin’s approach, the words she had been about to speak halted mid-sentence.  “No, of course not.”
 

“Not at all, Lady Wexley,” Gavin replied graciously.
 

“Hello again, Your Grace,” Penny said, smiling politely to the duke.  “Are you enjoying your evening thus far?”
 

“Even more so than I had anticipated.”  His gaze flickered briefly toward Lady Edgington, before he turned it quickly back to Penny Dunham.  
 

“Excellent, I am so glad to hear it,” Penny gushed.  “Pennworth’s temporary absence will prove most beneficial then, if it in turn brings about your increased fondness for gatherings such as this.  For as you well know, your presence at Society functions is always a marked delight.”
 

Not bloody likely
, Gavin thought to himself.  Once his brother-in-law was back in town he was returning to his old ways with all due haste.  “Only time will tell, I suppose,” he replied, smiling affably.