A Timeless Romance Anthology: European Collection by Annette Lyon, G. G. Vandagriff, Michele Paige Holmes, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Nancy Campbell Allen

They dined and played loo in the evening.
    “I can see that Melissa could be very happy here,” Lord Kent said.
    “I have always meant to raise a family here. I experienced great happiness here as a boy.”
    “May God grant your desires, Oaksey.”

Chapter Nine
     
    When her father came to call, Melissa was very ill indeed. She had not even risen from her bed to dress that day.
    “Well, miss, I have paid that husband of yours a visit. I asked if he had received your letter. He said he had not, and I believe him. He has not been in Town all this time, but on his estate in Suffolk. A very fine estate it is, too. I think you would be most happy to be its mistress.”
    “Papa, you should have spoken to me. He will think I sent you. I assume he is spending my money like water?”
    “No, as a matter of fact. He is taking great pleasure setting the gardens to rights with his own labor and that of his head gardener. I own, I was impressed with the man as well as with the estate.”
    Melissa groaned. Had her rashness and pride cost her any chance of happiness? The idea brought her to tears. If only she did not feel so wretched! Her weakness caused her to cry at the slightest thing. But was this really a slight thing?
    Wiping her eyes, she said, “I let my temper and disappointment get the best of me, Papa. Mama says you married her for her money. Did you love her?”
    “Love came to our marriage, but it was not there to begin with, no. However, young Oaksey says you should know that he does love you. He told you so.”
    She thought back to the time when they rode in the carriage the first day out of Scotland. He had told her so amid fervent kisses. But she had discounted the words afterwards, believing he had only said them to sway her senses.
    A heavy burden settled in her chest. “I have made such a mistake, and I fear it is too late to make it right.”
    “Too late? Whatever do you mean?”
    “I fear I am dying. I lose strength daily, and my spirits are most horribly depressed.”
    “Has Mama called the physician?”
    “No. She does not know how ill I have become. I have not wanted to worry her. I was afraid of bringing on her palpitations.”
    “That was an unwise decision. We shall have the physician now. And while you wait for him, you will write your husband a letter, this time to his estate, welcoming him home. I believe all that ails you is a bout of low spirits brought about by loneliness and the knowledge that you are responsible for your own misery.”
    Melissa disagreed but took the calling card with her husband’s country direction written on the back. While she waited for Dr. Kerry to come, she wrote a letter.
     
    My dear Thomas,
    I am so terribly sorry for all the unhappiness that my surly temper has brought upon us. I should have remembered your words in the carriage, or rather, I should have believed them. I have had much leisure to consider the error I made in letting you think I wanted us to live in separate establishments. I was hurt, and I struck out at you. I honestly did not know I possessed such a temper.
    I only hope it is not too late to beg you to forgive me and come to me. I am quite ill, but the thought that I may see you soon will sustain me.
    I do truly love you,
    Melissa

Chapter Ten
     
    When Thomas first received Melissa’s letter, he was greatly relieved by her profession of love and honest desire for forgiveness. However, the news that she was ill sent him from the breakfast parlor, flying up the stairs to his dressing room, where he pulled open the cupboards and shouted for his valet.
    “Have I enough clean shirts for three or four days?” he asked. “And cravats?”
    Winston assured him that he did. “Let me pack for you, my lord. You seem a bit agitated.”
    “My wife is quite ill. I wish to bring her out of London’s filthy air and take care of her here in the country. Please tell Mrs. Abernathy to prepare the countess’s suite and see that the beds are properly