The Black Lotus (Night Flower) (14 page)

“You know, Justin Lestrade, handsome
, arrogant,” She spoke as though Melissa were a simpleton and that fan kept flapping before her face. “The man who asked you to dance?”

“Yes I know who he is, what are you getting at?” Melissa felt her temper rise as she stared at this porcelain skinned beauty. Was she rubbing in her relationship with Lestrade?

“Nothing,” The woman smiled, snapping shut the fan with a decisive snap. “I know he is handsome Melissa
and like others, you’ve probably fallen for him,” Unbidden she linked her arm in Melissa’s and began to walk. To prevent the room seeing the spectacle of her falling over, she followed the woman to one of the outer corridors.

“And you’re here to tell me to leave him alone right?” Melissa guessed as they walked past the gaming rooms and out into the garden.

“No.. no of course not,” Emily came to a stop and faced her. The polite, cultured smile dropped from her face and it took on a more serious cast. “I’m here to look at you more closely.”

“Why?” Incredulous now at the strange road the conversation had taken, Melissa stared at the blonde
in confusion. Who was this woman and why did she feel it necessary to talk about Lestrade to her? She had only met the man once and that had not been a glowing success. With growing impatience she stared at the other woman and waited for her to continue.

“Because my dear,” Emily’s vaguely patronising response
set Melissa’s teeth on edge and she forced down the urge to slap that confident, almost mocking face. “I’ve known Justin for some time and I haven’t seen him this taken with anyone for a while.”

Really?” Melissa finally responded, her patience almost gone. “I only met him the once and he seemed completely bored by the whole experience.” Her voice snapped out across the space, waspish and sharp. “I hardly think that he gave much thought to me, he certainly failed to return for a dance.” She took a step away from the woman and prepared to move on. “If Lestrade wishes to find his way back into my good graces, then he need not send you to tout for him. I would say that it’s been a pleasure making your acquaintance, but truthfully, it hasn’t.” Taking another step back, she turned and started to walk towards the main hallway. Emily’s hand closed once again around her arm and stopped her. “What?” She hissed, her patience gone.

“Miss De Vire, I’m not touting for Justin, I just felt the need to see what had seized his attention.” She stepped forward, almost uncomfortably close and whispered. “Now I have seen you and I can understand his attraction.” Melissa swallowed nervously as the woman stepped even closer. “It might even be fun to see how this plays out.” She released Melissa’s arm and stepped back. “Have a pleasant evening Miss De Vire.” And with that, she walked away. Melissa watched her go with a sense of confusion and relief, despite the many questions she had, she did not wish to follow.

With several quick steps, she walked back into the room and crossed to a servant, taking a drink from a silver tray, she downed the burning drink in one go.

“Go easy, the night is young and you don’t want to pass out.” She turned to face Emma Dawlish and she smiled at her.

“Em,” She embraced the other girl
quickly in joy and they linked arms. “How is it?”

“Utterly dreadful, my abigail insists in putting me in yellow.” She waved her hand over the dress she was wearing with a
helpless smile. “I really don’t suit yellow but I can’t seem to get it through to her.” The two made their way over a set of seats beside the door to the gardens. A cool breeze flowed through the open doorway, cooling them after the stifling heat from the room. “So how is it with you?” Emma asked seriously as they settled down.

“Oh you know,” Melissa replied carefully, her eyes still roving over the room as she watched Emily Saint-Clair navigate the crowd. “It’s been better.”

“Well no one has mentioned your debut tonight, that’s got to be an improvement.” Emma took a sip of her drink and stared across at her friend.

“I suppose,” Melissa replied, she was barely paying attention. Emily had been accosted by the strange man she had seen talking to Lady Shearingham. As she watched the two converse, it was clear that they were both casting glances in her direction.

“Melissa?” She started up to stare at Emma. “What is wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Melissa uttered finally, tearing her gaze from the pair on the other side of the room. “I was so looking forward to this,” She waved her hand about the room. “And now it’s here, I don’t really want to play.” Dropping the goblet onto a side table, she turned from the room to stare at her friend. “Sarah made it sound so exciting, but I can’t get away from the feeling that I don’t matter. My father gets to decide who I’m with and I know he would not be happy if I chose otherwise. This feels like an upmarket slave block. Whoever can offer the most gets me,” She glanced up at the room again and watched as Emily and the strange man continued their conversation.

“Well, you’re right.” Emma replied, putting a comforting hand on her friends arm. “But it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
Enjoy all of those overwrought declarations and try to find someone you can get along with. I doubt your father will throw you to some haggard old bachelor.” Emily and the man seemed to have finished talking and the blonde was moving out of sight.

“I know, I just..” She turned back to Emma and tried to expl
ain the ambivalence she felt. “It feels so false, all of it.”

“Excuse me Miss De Vire?” Melissa stopped speaking and turned, standing before them was the strange man that she had seen talking to Emily only a few moments earlier.

“Yes?”

Melissa stared at the stranger, suddenly taken by a strong sense of the familiar. Beneath a plain, powdered wig, large brown eyes stared at her with disconcerting directness. Beneath an aquiline nose, a full lipped and sensual mouth lay. His face was fresh and young looking; she assumed that he was a year older than her at best. As her mind took in these details, he raised her hand to his lips. A strange chill ran up her spine as his lips brushed lightly across the back of her hand.

“I’m Ali
stair Lestrade,” He said in his soft tones.

“Lestrade?” She couldn’t help exclaiming as she stared at him in shock, it suddenly seemed so clear. This was why he had seemed so familiar, the facial features, the way of standing that was so like Justin’s. “Are you related to Justin Lestrade by any chance?” She was looking at his eyes as she spoke, those dark eyes that shared the same
strange light of maturity that Justin’s did.

“He’s my older brother
,” His voice was silkier than Justin’s and it echoed slightly as though they were within a cathedral and not in the midst of a crowd.

“Then why have
I….”

“Not heard of me?” He finished the question for her with a smile that seemed frosty. “We don’t talk much and I dislike this morass..” he waved a hand at the surrounding crowd.

“So what brings you here now?”

“I was looking for you!” He answered with a soft smile, one that didn’t seem to reach his eyes.

“Why?”

Alistair glanced about at Emma. “It’s a private matter,”

“No,” Melissa noted, looking the man squarely in the face. “You can talk here.”

Alistair stared at her for a long minute before he sighed and spoke.

“Very well.” He leant close to her and spoke quietly, “I came to warn you!”

Melissa stared up at Alistair, a strange cold hand gripping her heart. The eyes looking down at her were serious and full of concern. “What about?” She whispered almost fearing the answer.

“Justin is…” he glanced around the room and lea
nt closer lowering his voice. “My brother is dangerous to you. I warn you because I fear that he will hurt you.”

“You believe he is capable of murder?” Melissa asked, an appalled note entering her voice. It was true that
she had sensed darkness in Justin yet she couldn’t believe he could kill.

“If you mean the girls lately, I couldn’t tell you.” Alistair continued in that soft toned voice. “I do know that his attentions are not pure and they certainly will not bring you joy or wellbeing.” He released her arm and stepped back his face blanking out the emotion that had been spilling out over it.

“Now I have warned you and I sincerely hope that you take this warning seriously.” He turned and began to walk away into the crowd.

“Wait
,” She called, pushing herself from the chair and following after him. “You can’t just tell me this much and then leave. I need to know.” Emma followed behind, worry flowing through her features. “You have to tell me more.” She pushed out into the crowd after him, trying to keep up, yet he moved through the crowd with the elusiveness of a wild thing.

“Hey
.” She crashed into the back of a brocade dress and apologised profusely. She turned back to the chase, yet all she saw was the crowd with not a sign of Alistair in sight.

“You made me spill my drink
,” Melissa turned at the shrill accusatory note and stared straight into the eyes of Mary Westbury. The girl before her was looking up at her with harsh, green eyes. In one hand she held an empty glass and the other was pointing at her in accusation. Across the front panel of Mary’s cream coloured brocade dress, a blaze of red revealed where the burgundy from her empty glass had spilled. It was abundantly clear that Mary had been in possession of a nearly full glass of wine before she had been bumped.

“Oh lord I’m so sorry
,” Melissa stared at the spreading stain in horror. Forgetting all about Alistair for the moment, she drew her handkerchief from deep within her skirts and ineffectually brushed at the stain. The pretty white handkerchief stained red yet there was no help for the expensive fabric.

“Why on earth are you bothering? It’s totally ruined now,” Mary’s usually grating voice was harsh and unforgiving. “How dare you? First you cause all that upset at the Palace and now you ruin my outfit.”

“I didn’t mean…” Melissa’s voice trailed
off, she couldn’t deny that she hadn’t been clumsy. The brocade Mary was wearing was the very height of fashion and she had managed to ruin it yet, a small rebellious thought burned in the back of her mind. She had tried to apologise for the incident and if she could ever get a word in, she would offer to pay for the damage. Mary handed the glass to her partner and stepped forward, her green eyes boring into Melissa’s.

“Well you certainly weren’t looking where you were going.
Were you too busy chasing after another eligible bachelor that you couldn’t be bothered to watch who you were bumping into?” Stunned by this tirade of words, Melissa stepped back and stared up at the blonde’s hot eyes.

“
Yes I know all about you,” Mary, sensing her advantage, proclaimed triumphantly. “We all saw you make a fool of yourself. Quite the little glory hound aren’t you?”

Melissa finally found her voice. “I don’t know what you mean. I am sorry for ruining your dress, but I do not appreciate your comments. If you d
on’t mind Miss Westbury, I will take my leave of you.” She made to move past the blonde witch but Mary’s voice sounded out behind her.