Chapter Twenty-Five
A letter from Lexi arrived:
Dearest Sister,
I trust this letter finds you in the best of spirits. I have the most delightful news to share with you! The prince regent himself has bestowed a Royal Warrant upon our friends, the esteemed doctors at 87 and 91 Harley Street. Their exemplary service has not gone unnoticed, and it is truly a moment of pride for all of us. The dedication and skill of these physicians have set a standard that others shall strive to meet, has it not?
On a related note, I must tell you about Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s recent visits to Dr. Alfred Stein and his charming wife, Ada. She seems to transform into a clucking, cheerful grandmother every time she steps through their door and sweeps their twins into her arms. Her presence brings such warmth and joy that I am certain is at odds with what we’ve seen when we visited her, you know where, in the blue house.
Before I conclude, I am overcome with curiosity about a particular matter. It appears the prince regent has taken a special interest in ensuring that you and Mr. John Stonebridge have his blessing for your impending nuptials. This gesture is most intriguing, and I am eager to hear how this came about. Do share the details at your earliest convenience, for I am beside myself with curiosity.
Awaiting your reply with bated breath.
Yours affectionately,
Alexis, Duchess of Duncan
“Are you going to tell her?” John asked when Melissa handed him the letter that had arrived from London earlier that day.
“It’s a long story,” Melissa chuckled, trailing more kisses on her handsome John, who lay stark naked underneath her. “I have my hands full at the estate with the steward.”
John let out a deep, resonant growl of satisfaction. “There is much to be done at Starcliff Castle, my love. You pledged to Lexi that everything would flourish under our watchful eye.” With a firm yet tender embrace, he drew Melissa over his middle, their bodies seamlessly becoming one. “Our families have entrusted us with this great responsibility.”
“And so much depends on the care we bestow upon the estate,” Melissa affirmed, her voice a soft yet resolute promise.
“Indeed, it is a legacy of which we are inextricably a part,” John murmured, his head sinking back into the pillow as Melissa enveloped him completely. The world around them seemed to hold its breath, the castle’s grandeur a fitting backdrop to their union.
“Our family is your legacy,” she whispered, sealing their destiny with a promise as infinite as the green hills beyond Starcliff Castle, illuminating the path of their shared future.
She stood at her vanity, fastening the last tiny pearl button on her dove-gray dress, the fabric soft against her skin. Her reflection revealed a faint blush on her cheeks as she glanced at the open door. The seamstress would arrive soon, and they’d begin the fittings for her wedding gown. The very thought sent her heart flitting like a bird in the hedgerows, a mixture of excitement and nerves.
Just as she reached for her glove, a warm, familiar hand gently closed over hers.
“Melissa,” John murmured, his voice low and steady, the kind of tone that always seemed to root her in place. She turned, and before she could manage a word, he pulled her close, one hand resting lightly at the small of her back, the other still clasping her fingers.
“What are you doing?” she asked, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her feigned indignation. “I’m getting measured today.”
“Not letting you rush off just yet,” he said, his dark eyes soft yet smoldering as they searched hers. “There’s something I need to do to you first.”
Her protest caught in her throat as he leaned in, his lips brushing hers with a tenderness that made her breath hitch. The kiss deepened, not with haste, but with infinite care, as if John were unwrapping something precious—a treasure he thought long lost. His thumb traced a slow, lazy circle over the back of her hand, anchoring her in a moment she didn’t want to end.
When they finally parted, Melissa’s voice came no louder than a whisper. “You’ll make me late.”
“Good,” John said, a teasing quirk to his smile. “I’d rather your seamstress waited than waste a single moment of this. Of you.”
Her heart swelled, the weight of the years they had endured lightening with every soft word he spoke. She brushed a hand along his temple, fingers sliding through his dark locks now kissed with the faintest silver strands. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you love me,” he replied, a huskiness in his voice that melted any chance of pretense.
She tilted her head, studying him, words tumbling from her lips as if her heart insisted on speaking them aloud. “I do. More than I imagined possible.”
His hands framed her face, his thumb brushing along her cheekbone. “Melissa, I wake up every day knowing that this—our life together—is worth every risk I never thought I’d have the courage to take.”
Her throat tightened, emotion swelling in her chest as his words sank into her bones. She nodded, letting that truth hang between them like a promise.
Finally, she was the one to kiss him this time, laughter spilling softly between them when they pulled apart. “Fine,” she said, her tone deliberately resigned. “But if my dress is delayed, I’m holding you fully responsible.”
“I’ll take the blame,” John said, his grin widening. “But for now, I think I’ll steal you for just a little longer.”
Locking her fingers with his, Melissa allowed herself to follow him, her worries forgotten as joy and love filled every corner of the room. Together, they stepped into the day, their lives tangled in a story that had finally come home to the moment it was always meant to reach.