Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Melody sat in the coach as it rumbled along the short road to Brockhall Manor, her thoughts swirling as the landscape passed by. The silence in the carriage was comforting since no one seemed to be in a talkative mood, which suited her just fine. Her mind was on Wesley, who had risked everything to rescue her. How could she not love him? He had come for her, just as he had promised he would.
Next to her, Elodie broke the quiet, her voice filled with dry humor. “Well, that was eventful,” she muttered. “I have never had to climb out of a window before.”
“You did remarkably well,” Rosella praised from across the coach.
With a thoughtful look, Elodie said, “I think I could be a spy.”
Rosella laughed. “You would make an awful spy.”
Elodie’s brow furrowed. “Why do you say that?”
“You lack seriousness, for one. Furthermore, a spy needs to blend into their surroundings, not stand out,” Rosella explained.
“I shall take that as a compliment,” Elodie stated.
Rosella leaned forward and smiled. “You should. You are delightful, but espionage is best left to others.”
Elodie glanced at Melody. “Like my sister.” She paused. “And you.”
Settling back in her seat, Rosella responded, “I may dabble in espionage, yes.”
Melody kept her silence, careful not to reveal that Rosella had, in fact, along with her brother, recruited her into the world of spying. It wasn’t her secret to tell.
The coach came to a stop in front of Brockhall Manor. Elodie exited first, but as Melody prepared to follow, Rosella placed a gentle hand on her sleeve, halting her.
“You care about my brother, don’t you?” Rosella asked quietly, her tone serious.
“I do,” Melody admitted, seeing no reason to deny it.
Rosella’s gaze was steady, searching. “Do you love him?”
Melody hesitated. How could she answer that? Did she dare reveal the truth? The answer was simple—she loved Wesley deeply, with all her heart. But the words refused to come.
With a knowing look, Rosella said, “You don’t have to say anything.”
After a long pause, Melody decided to confide in her. “It doesn’t matter how I feel. Wesley is still in love with Dinah.”
Rosella shook her head gently. “He did love Dinah, yes. But I believe his heart has found someone new to claim it.”
Melody was appreciative of what Rosella was attempting to do, but she felt she owed her the truth. “I know Wesley cares for me, but I deserve someone who loves without restraint.”
“You do deserve that,” Rosella agreed, releasing her grip and leaning back. “Now that you are safely home, I am returning to help my brother secure the prisoners.”
“I wish you luck, then,” Melody said before stepping out of the coach.
Elodie was waiting for her outside, her expression bright. “I am rooting for Lord Emberly,” she whispered.
“You only say that because he is a spy,” Melody teased, linking arms with her sister.
Elodie placed a hand to her chest, feigning sincerity. “I daresay I liked him before. He is dark. Mysterious. And he can do the impossible and tell us apart.”
Melody laughed as they began walking towards the manor. “Lord Emberly is a good man, but now that his assignment is over, he will return home.”
“And is that what you want?” Elodie asked, her voice more serious.
Melody’s smile faltered. “No, but it is what will happen.”
Elodie held up the rusty, bent nail she had found in the cottage. “I could force him to stay.”
“With a nail?”
Her sister waved the nail playfully through the air. “I can be very persuasive.”
“Thank you, but this is not your fight.”
Elodie stopped and turned to face her, her expression firm. “Your fight is my fight. We are sisters, and we look out for one another.”
Before Melody could respond, the door to the manor swung open, and their parents rushed towards them, relief flooding their faces. Both girls were immediately wrapped in their parents’ warm embrace.
Their mother pulled back, eyes filled with emotion. “I am so relieved that you both are home. Unharmed.”
Their father nodded in agreement. “We have been terribly worried.”
“How did you escape?” their mother asked.
Elodie glanced at Melody, silently deferring to her for the answer. Melody understood that whatever she said, Elodie would support her.
“Lord Emberly discovered where we were being held and secured our release,” Melody said carefully, hoping the explanation would satisfy them without too many details.
Their mother’s eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity, but thankfully, she didn’t press for more information. “We will have to thank Lord Emberly for his efforts,” she said, glancing behind them. “Where is he?”
“He shall be along shortly,” Melody assured her.
“Come now,” their mother said, leading them inside. “You need a bath and a long rest. You must be exhausted.”
Elodie tipped her head. “It has been a long few days. I think I will just hurkle-durkle today.”
As they entered the manor, their mother leaned closer to Melody and whispered, “Do you plan on telling me the full truth someday?”
“Perhaps, but not today,” Melody replied.
Her mother’s gaze softened with understanding. “I hope that one day, you will trust me with the truth.”
White approached them and said, “The baths are being prepared for Lady Melody and Lady Elodie.”
“Thank you, White,” Melody acknowledged with a grateful nod.
Their mother paused in the entry hall, her eyes scanning Melody and Elodie with a discerning gaze. “These gowns will have to be thrown out,” she declared, noting the dirt and grime that clung to every inch of their attire.
The main door opened, and Sarah rushed into the entry hall. “Melody! Elodie! You are back!” she exclaimed, hurrying over.
Melody embraced Sarah tightly before pulling back. “Jasper is all right, just so you know.”
Sarah let out a visible sigh of relief. “Thank you for telling me,” she said before throwing her arms around Elodie.
In a low voice, Elodie shared, “Jasper taught me how to climb out a window.”
Sarah’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “A useful skill for any genteel woman to have.”
Elodie giggled. “Much safer than lessons from a dancing master, I daresay.”
Their mother interjected, “We received word from the constable that the real Mr. Durand was murdered and that an imposter was in our home.”
“It is true,” Melody confirmed.
Their father stepped forward, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist. “But we must set that aside for now. Most importantly, our daughters are home, safe and sound.”
Their mother leaned into him, her eyes glistening. “It is wonderful, is it not?”
White cleared his throat from the doorway. “The baths are ready, my lady.”
“You both should go clean up,” their mother encouraged. “You must be eager to wash away all the dirt from your ordeal.”
Melody didn’t need to be told twice. She couldn’t wait to rid herself of the dirt and grime that clung to her. She began walking towards the stairs, and Elodie quickly fell into step beside her.
Elodie glanced around to ensure no one was listening before whispering, “Is it just me, or does Aunt Sarah love Jasper?”
“It is not just you,” Melody said. “I have suspected it for quite some time.”
“So,” Elodie said, grinning, “what is the plan?”
“The plan?” Melody asked.
Elodie gave her an amused look. “You are a spy. I assume you always have a plan, especially in matters like this.”
Melody glanced over her shoulder at Sarah, who was chatting with her parents. “We can’t let Jasper leave without them confessing their feelings to one another.”
Holding up the nail, Elodie said, “I could persuade Jasper to stay.”
Melody laughed. “Will you stop trying to threaten people with that rusty nail?”
“It can be rather convincing,” Elodie replied. “I might use it to stop Bennett and Winston from stealing food off my plate.”
“I would stick to knives,” Melody quipped.
They reached Elodie’s door, where her sister paused. “Love is a risk. Opening yourself up to another person and being vulnerable… it is terrifying. But it is worth it.”
Melody lifted her brow. “I thought you didn’t believe in love. That it is elusive.”
Elodie grew quiet. “I will admit that my thoughts are changing on that notion.”
“Regardless, I hope Aunt Sarah recognizes that love is a risk worth taking.”
“Do you believe that?” Elodie asked pointedly.
“Elodie…” Melody began, unsure where this was going.
Elodie put her hand up, stilling her words. “I saw the way Lord Emberly was looking at you when you walked out of the cottage. He loves you.”
Melody placed a hand on her sister’s sleeve. “Wesley is the best of men, but his duty is to protect me. Nothing more.”
“It may have started that way, but I think it is more than that now,” Elodie attempted. “You can’t let him leave without telling him how you feel.”
“And how do I feel?” Melody asked, afraid of what her sister might see in her.
Elodie’s face softened into a smile. “You love him. With your whole heart. I can see it in your eyes. They light up whenever you mention him.”
Melody was speechless. Had she been so obvious?
Elodie opened the door to her room and stepped inside. “Just think about what I said while I hurkle-durkle today.”
“You just like saying that word,” Melody quipped.
“It is true. The Scottish have the best expressions,” Elodie admitted before closing the door behind her.
Melody walked down the corridor to her bedchamber. She opened the door and entered, finding her lady’s maid waiting by the bath. At the sight of Melody, Lydia gasped.
“My lady, you look awful,” she exclaimed.
Melody’s lips twitched. “Thank you for being honest with me.”
Lydia rushed over to her. “How did you escape?”
“Lord Emberly bartered for us,” Melody explained as she began to peel off her soiled clothing.
“It is a good thing for Lord Emberly, then,” Lydia declared. “I should have never let you go into the gardens last night.”
“You must not blame yourself. I do not regret what I did because I was able to ensure Elodie’s safe return.”
Lydia frowned as she gathered Melody’s discarded clothes. “Surely, there could have been a safer way.”
“It was the only way,” Melody replied, though she could see Lydia remained unconvinced.
“Well,” Lydia sighed, “we should get you into the bath.”
Once Melody had slipped into the warm water, she closed her eyes and felt herself relax. These quiet moments were rare, and she was grateful for the reprieve.
“I am most grateful that you are home, my lady,” Lydia said.
“As am I,” Melody murmured.
Melody let herself sink deeper into the water when she was finally alone. She was safe, back home where she belonged. Yet, her heart yearned for something more. It was Wesley. She wanted to be in his arms, to confess how she truly felt. But did she have the courage to do so?
What if he didn’t feel the same?
The thought gnawed at her. Being a spy seemed easy compared to following one’s own heart.
Wesley had just secured Marceau in the back of the wagon when his coach pulled up behind him. The creak of the door opening caught his attention, and he turned to see his sister stepping out and walking towards him.
“I came to see if you needed any assistance with the prisoners,” Rosella said.
“We have it under control,” Wesley informed her, facing her fully. “Jasper contacted the constable, and they are waiting for the prisoners in the village. Watkins will escort Marceau and Pierre to Newgate to ensure they are dealt with properly.”
Rosella nodded in approval as the wagon started driving away. “That is good to hear. But now that it is settled, you really should have a doctor look at your wound.”
Wesley winced as he glanced down at his left arm. “No need. Watkins stitched me up before you arrived.”
“Watkins is not a doctor.”
“No, but doctors ask too many questions. Questions I would rather not answer,” Wesley replied.
“Fair enough,” she conceded. “However, if you die from an infection, I will be sure to have ‘I told you so’ carved into your gravestone.”
Wesley chuckled. “Duly noted.”
Her playful expression faded, replaced by a more serious one. “You should go to her.”
His smile dimmed. “I want to, but I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Start at the beginning,” Rosella advised gently.
Running a hand through his hair, Wesley sighed deeply. “I have made a muck of things.”
“I know, but fixing it is not too late.”
Wesley appreciated what his sister was attempting to do, but he needed to do it on his own. In his own way. “Rosella, I am grateful for your concern, but?—”
Rosella stepped closer, cutting him off. “I know you do not think I speak from experience, but I do. I was in love once.”
“With whom?”
She looked off in the distance, her voice quiet. “Alexander. He was an officer in the Royal Navy. I fell for him the moment I saw him. We exchanged letters for months, and eventually, he asked me to marry him.”
Wesley’s brow shot up. “You were engaged?”
Rosella gave him a sad smile. “Before I could respond to his letter, I received word that his ship had gone down. He was dead. I was devastated, and I told no one. I thought sharing my grief would make it worse somehow. But I was wrong.”
He gently touched her shoulder, his heart heavy with empathy. “I had no idea. I am sorry that I was not there for you.”
“I am not telling you this so that you will feel bad for me,” Rosella said. “I am telling you because I know what it is like to love fiercely, uncontrollably. And I lost him before I ever had the chance to say it out loud.”
Rosella continued. “I know you loved Dinah, but perhaps this is your second chance.”
Wesley hesitated for a moment before finally admitting what he had been hiding, even from himself. “I love Melody.”
Rosella’s smile returned. “Good. Now, go tell her that.”
He lowered his hand, uncertainty gnawing at him. “If I tell her, it will change everything between us. Can I afford to do such a thing?”
“Can you afford not to do such a thing?” she countered.
Wesley’s throat tightened. “And if she doesn’t feel the same?”
Rosella’s eyes filled with understanding. “To love, you must expose your heart. For you can’t truly love without the risk of being wounded.”
Wesley had never been so conflicted by anything before. He wanted to run to Melody, to confess his undying love for her, but something was holding him back. The thought of confessing his love terrified him more than any battle or mission ever had. Melody had the power to break him with just a word.
Rosella must have understood his reluctance because she met his gaze. “I can’t promise you that it will all work out, but I can tell you that you don’t want to live with regrets.”
“I already have too many to count,” he admitted.
“Then you don’t want to make the biggest mistake of your life by not fighting for Melody,” Rosella urged.
Wesley hated that his sister was right. He had convinced himself that his feelings for Melody were bound to duty and obligation, but deep down, he knew it was more. He loved every moment he spent with her. She was the person who made his life better just by being in it.
At that moment, he knew that he would do whatever it took to make Melody his. He would even grovel. And he had never groveled before.
Without another word, he strode towards the waiting coach and opened the door. “Shall we?” he asked, his voice filled with newfound determination.
Rosella stepped into the coach. “I take it that this means you are going after Melody?”
Wesley climbed in after her, his heart already racing with the thought of seeing Melody again. “Yes,” he said firmly. “I am going after her. Only this time, I am not holding back.”
“It is about time,” Rosella retorted.
They both retreated to their thoughts as they made their way towards Brockhall Manor. Once they arrived, Wesley exited first, offering his hand to help his sister out. Together, they made their way to the main door.
The door opened and the butler greeted them with a respectful nod. “Lord Emberly. Lady Rosella.”
“Please inform Lady Melody that I wish to speak with her in the library,” Wesley ordered.
“Of course, my lord,” White replied before he walked off to do his bidding.
Rosella turned to Wesley, a knowing smile on her lips. “Good luck, Brother. You will need it.”
Wesley offered her a tight smile before making his way to the library on the second level. He started pacing back and forth, the ticking of the long clock in the corner marking his misery. Each tick seemed to stretch into eternity, and his mind raced with thoughts on what he would say. What felt like hours, but was likely only mere moments, passed before the door quietly creaked open.
Melody stepped into the room, her presence like a balm to his restless soul. She wore a pale blue gown and her hair was elegantly piled atop her head. But it was her smile that held him captive. In that smile, he saw something more beautiful than he could ever put into words. It was as if his future were stretched out in front of him—a future with Melody.
She stopped a short distance away, her expression expectant. “White said you wished to speak to me.”
“I did… I do,” Wesley stammered, his voice betraying the jumble of emotions inside him. Why was it so hard to express his feelings?
In a soft voice, Melody broke the silence. “Thank you for rescuing me,” she said. “And I am sorry again for… well, for shooting you.”
Wesley instinctively touched his left arm, wincing at the lingering pain. “It hardly hurts,” he lied. “But you should never have gone into the gardens alone. That was reckless. Careless. You should have come to me first.”
“There was no time,” Melody argued.
He dropped his hand, his frustration rising at the thought he had almost lost her. “Next time, think before you act. You cannot put yourself at risk like that.” His tone was much harsher than he had intended.
Melody’s brow arched as she crossed her arms. “Was your intention to lecture me?”
“No,” Wesley said quickly.
“Then what do you want?”
He ran a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words. “I want… I want you !” he blurted out.
Melody’s eyes widened. “Pardon?”
Wesley let out a deep sigh, realizing how clumsy he sounded. “I am not saying this right. I do not know why it is so hard to speak to you about this.”
She took a small step closer. “What are you trying to say, Wesley?”
He swallowed, his resolve growing stronger. “All I know is that my life has been better since the day I met you.”
Melody opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off before she could speak. “I love you, Melody. I tried to convince myself that it was just my duty to protect you, but I know better now.” His hand went to his chest, over his heart. “It is because I love you.”
Melody’s eyes remained guarded. “But you loved Dinah. You told me as much?—”
“I did,” Wesley admitted. “A part of me always will. But from the moment I danced with you, you started to take up space in my heart. And now, there is no room for anyone else.”
“Wesley, I don’t know?—”
He moved to stand in front of her, speaking over her. “Our journey has not been perfect, but it is ours. And I will stick with you until the end. I don’t care how complicated this gets because I will always choose you, even on the days we don’t understand each other. You are the only person I want to love in the end.”
Melody’s lips curved into a smile. “May I speak now?”
“Of course,” Wesley replied, his heart pounding in anticipation.
“What I have been trying to say, but you keep interrupting me,” Melody said, her voice warm and teasing, “is that I love you, too.”
Wesley stared at her in disbelief. “You do?”
Melody laughed lightly, shaking her head. “I do not know why you sound so surprised. You are my hero, after all.”
“I don’t want to be your hero. I want to be your husband,” Wesley said.
Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Was that a proposal?”
Without hesitation, Wesley dropped to one knee, reaching for her hand. “Lady Melody Lockwood, would you do me the grand honor of becoming my wife?”
Melody’s smile grew as she looked down at him. “In all my life, I never thought I would see you on a bended knee.”
He chuckled. “A man would do practically anything for the woman he loves.”
“Yes, I will marry you,” Melody said, her voice brimming with joy.
Rising to his feet, Wesley cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing over her soft skin. “From here on out, we will be partners in every way.”
“I like the sound of that,” she murmured, leaning into his hand.
Wesley’s gaze dropped to her lips as he leaned closer. “Now, I would very much like to kiss you. May I?”
“Yes,” Melody breathed, and before the word had fully left her lips, Wesley pressed his mouth to hers, sealing their love with a tender, passionate kiss. This was not like any other kiss that he had ever experienced. It was the type of kiss he had spent his whole life waiting for. At that moment, he knew without a doubt that he had found the person who completed him, the woman who made him whole.
But their moment was abruptly shattered by a booming voice from the doorway. “Release my sister, Lord Emberly!”
Melody broke the kiss and turned towards the doorway. “Bennett, you are home!” she exclaimed.
Her brother, Lord Dunsby, had a thunderous look on his expression. “What in the blazes is going on here?” he demanded, his gaze flickering between them.
Wesley stepped back, dropping his arms to his sides. “Melody has agreed to marry me.”
Lord Dunsby’s eyes narrowed, and he turned his full attention to Melody. “Is this true?”
Melody bobbed her head. “It is. He asked, and I accepted.”
Lord Dunsby did not look pleased by the news. “First, I hear that you and Elodie were abducted, and now I find the two of you engaged. How, pray tell, did this happen?”
“I suppose it all started when we danced,” Wesley replied.
Lord Dunsby shot Wesley a skeptical glance. “I want you to post the banns at once, and I expect you two to behave while you wait to be married.”
A mischievous glint sparkled in Melody’s eyes. “Oh, we will behave as well as you did when you were betrothed.”
“Absolutely not!” Lord Dunsby said as he shook his head vehemently.
Lady Dallington swept into the room. “What is all the commotion in here?” she asked, her eyes darting between her children.
Lord Dunsby gestured towards them. “Wesley and Melody are engaged.”
Lady Dallington’s face lit up with delight. “Oh, what wonderful news!” she gushed. “It is most fortunate that I have already begun the preparations for the wedding.”
“You have?” Melody asked.
With a laugh, Lady Dallington waved her hand. “Yes, it was rather obvious you two would end up together. Why do you think I invited Lord Emberly to join our other guests?” She smiled. “Come along, Dear. We have much to do.”
Melody followed her mother towards the door but paused to glance back at Wesley. “I love you,” she said.
“I love you, too,” he replied with a wink.
Once he was left alone with Lord Dunsby, his friend studied him for a long moment, his expression solemn. “I expect you to be true to my sister.”
Wesley held his gaze. “You need not worry. My intentions are entirely honorable.”
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Lord Dunsby’s lips. “I never thought you, of all people, would fall into the parson’s mousetrap.”
“It was the easiest decision I have ever made,” Wesley admitted.
Lord Dunsby’s smile grew slightly. “Then welcome to the family. You’d better make sure you live up to that promise.”
“I will,” Wesley replied, his heart light with the knowledge that his future was now intertwined with Melody’s—a future he couldn’t wait to begin.