Chapter 33
Accompanied by her friends Violet Greene and Octavia Burley, Melody continued toward the Hyde Park entrance.
Whenever weather allowed, the three of them met for fresh air and exercise.
Violet and Octavia would eagerly chat about every piece of gossip they’d heard since their last outing, providing Melody with additional information she could pass on to Harlowe.
She inhaled deeply and tried to focus on what Violet was saying, her opinion of Miss Hastings killing the woman who’d murdered three men in cold blood.
The matter must have been discussed in every drawing room across the land by now.
Violet’s thoughts continued to shift. Last week she’d been certain Miss Hastings had acted correctly.
Today she was less convinced. After all, Sally Finch had killed for good reason.
Melody arched a brow. “I’m not sure there’s ever a good reason for murder.”
“Let’s not dismiss the statement made by Sally Finch’s family. Those men she killed were retched scum as far as I am concerned.”
“Yes, but they didn’t kill anyone.”
“They abandoned their friend, which caused him to suffer so much that he took his own life.”
“Hmm…” Octavia clasped her hands behind her back. “The incident has certainly made me wonder how far I might go for the people I love. Not sure I’d be able to manage murder, though. I’m thinking it takes a certain sort of person to engage in something so awful.”
“Or simply the right sort of circumstances,” Violet mused. “Perhaps we’re all capable, if we’re pushed to the limit.”
“What a frightening thought,” Octavia said.
Melody would have echoed her sentiment, had her attention not been distracted by the man who entered the park. Tall, broad-shouldered, and with a haunted look about him, his presence reached out across the distance between them and tugged at her heart.
Edward.
She’d not seen or spoken to him in two weeks. Not since their run-in at Seven Dials.
He shifted his gaze in her direction, and she saw recognition flash across his face. His expression hardened and for a second she thought he’d give her the cut. Instead, he approached with purpose.
“Miss Greene, Miss Burley.” He acknowledged each of her friends with a short bow before looking directly at Melody. “A word, if I may?”
She tightened her jaw. No semblance of politeness. As if she didn’t even deserve that much from him anymore.
Fine. It was fine. She answered with a clipped nod and told her friends, “Feel free to continue without me. I’ll catch up with you at Gunter’s.”
She waited until they were headed toward the gate before asking Edward, “Shall we walk, my lord?”
There was no dismissing the irritation that flashed in his eyes when she stressed his title.
Unperturbed, she started walking away, leaving him to catch up.
Of course it wasn’t fair. She knew that.
Edward had been through hell after losing Evie.
Only to have his heart shattered again when he realized the woman he’d fallen for next was a lie.
But Melody had feelings too, and she would not allow Edward or anyone else to trample on them in anger.
“I want you to quit your position.”
His harsh words speared her. She whirled toward him and saw the fury that danced in his eyes. “You cannot ask that of me.”
“Why? Because only Harlowe can give you orders?”
“Edward, I ne—”
“You will not use my given name any longer,” he growled before grabbing her upper arm and yanking her closer. “I am Marsdale to you from now on, or my lord, if you prefer. Is that clear?”
She swallowed, not entirely sure how to deal with this incensed version of him. Apologizing might be a good start. She raised her chin. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t believe you.” His voice was cold. Foreign.
“You didn’t just fall for me. I fell for you too, which is why this is so horribly hard.”
“Answer me this…” No sympathy in his voice whatsoever. “Were you deliberately placed with Lady Heathbrooke? Is my godmother an assignment to you?”
“Initially, but—”
“Do you have any idea of the kind of danger you’ve placed her in? Do you even care?”
“Edward, I—”
“Marsdale,” he snapped. Nostrils flaring, he towered over her, crowding her with his much larger size.
Had she not been a skilled combatant, she might have feared he’d turn violent.
His fingers on her arm tightened. He sent a glance sideways, and something in his expression changed. An odd look of calm that sent terror straight down her spine.
Before she could figure out what it meant or where it would lead, his mouth was on hers, fierce and hungry, as though he were starved.
His arms came around her, holding her firmly in place while he kissed her.
Except this was no simple kiss. Whatever this was it was wrought from pain and heartache.
It was a reprimand wrapped in the semblance of pleasure.
Yet she couldn’t push him away. Lord knew this would be the last chance — her last chance—to try and show him how broken she was inside. Losing his trust, his friendship, and his respect had wrecked her in ways that could never be undone.
He was the best person she knew, and she’d crushed him.
Nothing she did would ever make up for that, but at least in this moment—
“Marsdale?” The man’s familiar voice contained both surprise and amusement.
Edward twisted away from Melody, while tucking her close to his side. “Moorland. What a pleasant surprise.”
Oh God. Melody stared at the duke, her mind reeling. Quick. She had to think of something to say.
Before she could come up with a reasonable explanation as to why her mouth had been locked with Edward’s in broad daylight, Edward said, “Allow me to present my fiancée. Miss Melody Roberts has just agreed to become my wife.”
“Indeed?” Moorland’s voice cut off the strangled, “What” that started up Melody’s throat.
“I realize it’s unexpected, given her questionable parentage, but I’ve decided to weather whatever scandal awaits in favor of choosing love.”
This couldn’t be happening.
“You’ll have my full support,” Moorland said. “Congratulations to you both.”
He took his leave and strolled off, leaving Melody once more alone with Edward. She shoved away from him. “What the hell was that?”
“Your dream come true,” he said, his tone sardonic. “We’ll wed, enabling you to weasel your way into my life exactly as you intended.”
“That was never my plan.”
“Hard to believe, considering the fact that your foster-sister did exactly the same to my closest friend.” He scoffed and tugged on his jacket sleeves, straightening them before clasping his hands behind his back. “You now have no choice but to leave your position at Heathbrooke House.”
“Ed—” The sharp look of warning he gave her made her say, “Marsdale, you’ve misjudged me completely.”
A bitter laugh filled the air. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
“No. What I mean to say is that I genuinely care for you and that I never wanted this.”
“Hmm… As I’ve come to realize this past year, we rarely get what we want. At least this way, I can punish you for what you did. Until death do us part.” He sketched a mocking bow, then proceeded to walk away. “I’ll be in touch once I’ve booked the vicar.”
Dismayed and horrified, Melody stared after him as he disappeared into the park. She’d ruined him. A realization that made her eyes well with tears.
Good lord. What was she going to do?”
* * *
Finn O’Leary lounged on the velvet upholstered divan, his gaze on the woman who’d seen to his needs. She was young, with long blonde hair and voluptuous curves. One of the whores Sean’s wife had hired on Finn’s behalf when he’d opened the brothel.
Only a gauzy shift covered her nakedness as she moved about the room, fluffing the pillows on the bed and straightening out the sheets. As he’d told her to do. That was her job, after all. To heed his command. It was what she got paid for — to provide satisfaction.
A smile curved his lips. He liked the idea that he owned her. Not only her, but nineteen others, distributed between two locations. All had been carefully selected to fit various types. Each had been bedded by him before anyone else. Just to be sure they excelled at their trade.
This particular one… She was his favorite.
Perhaps because of the apprehension he always saw in her eyes when she realized she’d once again be alone with him.
He enjoyed that part most of all. The fact that he could control her, no matter how much she might wish it were otherwise.
After all, the coin he’d lent her so she could help her sickly mama had to be paid back somehow.
He snapped his fingers and she jerked to attention, her gaze meeting his in question.
“Come,” he ordered, then pointed to the floor in front of the divan. “Sit.”
She plodded toward him and knelt without speaking a word. His hand brushed over the top of her head, petting her much as he would a dog.
This place had been a welcome retreat these past two weeks, after his attempt to take down Croft had ended in total disaster.
While the house still stood, much of the surrounding area had been leveled in the explosion.
Chapman had done an excellent job with the dynamite he’d distributed, precisely for the purpose of causing a distraction, if needed.
The man remained on Finn’s payroll, but Finn was wary of trusting Chapman completely. While he might have his uses, he’d betrayed Croft without much pressure. There was no guarantee he’d not do the same to Finn in future.
And with Kelly and several other men dead, Finn would have to rebuild his crew.
This would take time. Indeed, his entire plan to destroy Croft had turned into a bloody saga.
The biggest challenge would be figuring out how to get to him now.
No doubt he’d take more care securing his family and his assets.