Match For Melissa Read Free Page B

frivolous. It is simply not in your nature.”
    Regina thought about this for a moment and then she nodded. “It is possible that you are right.”
    “Of course I am. Do not forget that the reverend is well acquainted with your mother. When you tell him that she has ordered you to London, he will appreciate your dilemma.”
    “Perhaps.” Regina nodded and then she began to smile. “Now that I consider it, I am certain that you are correct. The Reverend Mr. Watson is the most understanding of men. I dare say he will commiserate with me when he learns of my circumstances.”
    Melissa drew a deep breath of relief. Regina’s hands had ceased their trembling and she looked much more composed. “Perhaps you had best tell him straight away so that he can find someone to help him in your stead. If your mother inquires as to your whereabouts, I will tell her that you have left on an errand and will return shortly.”
    “Thank you, Lissa.” Regina rose to her feet and fairly flew to the door. “If I hurry, perhaps Mama will not even take notice of my absence.”
    There was a thoughtful expression on Melissa’s face as she watched her stepsister rush out of the room. The color had been high in Regina’s pale cheeks when she’d spoken of Mr. Watson. And though Regina had insisted that she wished to forgo her Season to continue her charity work, Melissa wondered if her stepsister was doing it up much too brown. Could it be that Regina’s heart was already engaged? Perhaps by the young man of the cloth who had so recently come into their midst?
    Melissa sighed, hoping this was not the case. Even if theReverend Mr. Watson should come to offer for Regina, Jane would never approve the match. The resulting quarrel would leave her stepsister with naught but a broken heart, and dear Regina deserved a much better fate than that!

Two
    The house Jane had rented in Belgrave Square was nothing if not impressive. As Melissa carried her modest carpetbag up the brick steps and stepped inside, her eyes widened at the opulence she saw displayed before her. The entrance hall was paneled in the richest of mahogany and the floor was laid with an intricate pattern made up of colorful marble tiles. Gold-framed paintings of lords and ladies who Melissa assumed were the owner’s ancestors graced the walls, and tall porcelain urns, at least four feet in height, held lovely arrangements of dried flowers. Two chairs, covered in blue and white striped satin, flanked a small round table that was inset with a design of delicate gold filigree. A silver salver, overflowing with cards and invitations, sat on its highly polished surface and Melissa moved closer to examine the contents. If sheer quantity was an accurate indication, the current Season was off to a successful beginning for her stepsisters.
    Dorothea, who had emerged from the coach carrying the box of sweets she had insisted they bring in the event they required sustenance on their journey, was the next to enter the house. The moment she spied the contents of the silver salver, she gave an excited exclamation. Then she rushed back to her mother, who was just coming through the door, and gestured toward the array of envelopes. “Look, Mama! Invitations have already begun to arrive!”
    “Yes, indeed.” Jane smiled with evident satisfaction as shepicked up several of the envelopes to examine them. “There are even more than there were last Season. We are being very well received by the
ton
this year.”
    Melissa nodded pleasantly, and successfully managed to curb her tongue. It wasn’t Jane and her stepsisters who were being well received. The members of the
ton
were merely paying their respects to the widow and family of a man they’d loved and respected, Melissa’s father.
    Jane glanced at Regina, who had been the last to enter, and she frowned as she saw that her eldest daughter was attempting to carry her own portmanteau. “There’s no reason to exhaust yourself, Regina. Melissa will