They were separated by the dance.
He decided to defer further discussion until supper. But at supper, her former partner managed to grab the place at their table that was on Lady Melissa’s other side. She conversed with him exclusively, ignoring Frank.
The further the evening progressed, the more blue-deviled he became. An endless progression of ton parties stretched ahead of him. An unbroken chain of late breakfasts and dinners at his club. The empty pursuits of boxing, carriage racing, and gambling. Anything to keep him away from serious thought.
These things tormented him as he accompanied Lady Melissa home in his carriage in the wee hours of the morning.
“Who was the Red Indian, my dear?” he asked, pulling himself out of his abstraction with difficulty. “He seemed quite smitten.”
Melissa smiled as she removed the gold circlet from her wigged head.” Lord Oaksey. Was not his costume marvelous? It took me a long time to recognize him.”
“Allow me once more to say how sorry I am for asking your help in the matter of breaking into Deal’s mansion. It was careless and irresponsible. I completely failed to anticipate the damage to your reputation.”
Lady Melissa sighed. “I agreed to it without a moment’s thought. It is as much my fault as yours. I thought it sounded a splendid adventure.” Melissa sighed. “I certainly do not fit conveniently in your life.”
“If we marry, I pledge that I will give you my best self. I think we will do as well or better as most ton couples.”
“You sound resigned for the first time.”
“As I said, Sophie has given me up. It is time I ceased being a creature of the ton. That is what has given her a disgust of me.”
“But you love her still.”
“Yes. It would be better to lie and be gallant, I know.”
“Being a jilted lover does not suit you, my lord. You have lost your wit, your elan. I suspect you are feeling sorry for yourself. It would be far better if you decided upon a course of action to win her back.” Lady Melissa spoke in earnest. “And I am not yet resigned to this engagement, and certainly not to marriage. We must continue to seek a way out.”
~~*
As Frank lay in his bed, sleep would not come. Sophie has such purity of spirit. Her resemblance to an angel is not accidental. Yet her kisses set me on fire. Lady Melissa is right. I must think of a way to win her back. Perhaps she has a live ember of love for me somehow. I think I would be a good husband to her, given the chance. I know I would cherish her. From what Lord Donald said about her mother, she has had remarkably little cherishing in her life. Living with her sisters and their husbands is certainly better than living with her parents, but how much better if she were to have her own children to love.
I have shown her my worst trait—carelessness. How can I show her the side of me that wishes to cherish her?
As he lay awake thinking of the things he wanted to give Sophie, an idea began to form in his mind. Perhaps she would think it none of his business, but he did not think she would refuse it, if offered.
In spite of the late hour and little sleep, Frank was up early the next morning. Breakfasting at Brook’s before most of the ton was awake, he sauntered out into the lovely day and hailed a hackney.
“Harley Street, Number Ten,” he told the driver.
{ 35 }
SOPHIE HAD JUST FINISHED with her rehearsal when Perkins entered the music room.
“Miss Edwards, Lord Trowbridge and a Dr. Shelton to see you.”
Sophie took the cards he handed to her. On Frank’s card was written, “I beg the favor of your indulgence for a few minutes only.” The doctor’s card read “Dr. Blake Shelton, Skeletal and Muscle Specialist.”
Puzzled, she could not imagine what Frank was doing here. However, inasmuch as he had someone with him, she did not think she could send him away. Besides, she had spent the night in futile tears and wanted to see him again. Even if only for a few minutes.
“Send them in, please, Perkins.”
Frank entered, dressed in the cobalt blue coat that emphasized the intensity of his blue eyes. He overshadowed the small, portly young man next to him, who gave her a short half bow.
“Miss Edwards, allow me to present Dr. Shelton. He belongs to Brook’s and I have known him a good many years. I took the liberty of consulting him regarding your knee.”
Startled, she hardly knew how to react at this presumption. Straightening to her full height, she began to protest, then stopped, confused. Frank had not done this to affront her. There was no other reason he might have inquired over such a matter except to try to help her.
“Dr. Shelton, how nice to meet you. Shall we have a seat in the morning room?” She led the two men through a connecting door, where Fanny was writing out invitations to the musicale.
Frank introduced the doctor.
“Your servant, my lady,” Dr. Shelton bowed deeply.