Melinda Hammond by The Bargain

out his bride.
    ‘Let me introduce you to Borster.’ He led her towards the old man standing by the entrance. ‘Borster has been butler here for as long as I can remember.’
    The old man allowed himself a ghost of a smile.
    ‘That I have, my lord, and it is a pleasure to welcome you and my lady to Russetts.’
    ‘Thank you, Borster. Now, madam, shall we go in?’ The earl led his wife into the screen passage, its oak panels making a gloomy contrast to the bright sunlight outside. Mrs Borster came bustling forward, greeting Aldringham with the fond familiarity of an old retainer. This made him smile inwardly, when he recalled the icy politeness he had been shown on his last visit, when he had been accompanied by a much less respectable party.
    The housekeeper soon carried Melissa away to inspect the rooms that had been prepared. The older woman chatted away, hoping her ladyship would feel free to speak if anything was not quite to her taste, and saying she would hand over the keys to my lady, just as soon as she had unpacked. Melissa smiled at the housekeeper, aware that behind the kind, plump face was an anxiety about what the future might hold with a new mistress.
    She said quickly, ‘Oh no, Mrs Borster. I would certainly like you to show me all over the house, but I would be very grateful if you could keep the keys, at least until I am settled in a little more.’
    The cloud lifted from the older woman’s brow and she informed her husband later that the master’s raking days were over.
    ‘It’d not surprise me, Mr Borster, if we was to see grand parties here again before long, you mark my words.’ She folded her hands in her lap, her heart swelling at the thought of having a house full of servants to command.
     
    Over dinner, the earl described to Melissa his boyhood at the lodge.
    ‘Aldringham is our principal seat, of course, but my father much preferred Russetts and came here for the hunting at least once every year.’
    ‘And your mother - did she like the house?’
    He frowned. ‘No, I think not. I never really knew her.’
    ‘Oh - I am sorry.’
    Aldringham waved his hand, as if to dismiss an unwelcome memory.
    ‘I believe she preferred London to country pursuits.’
    Melissa sought for a way to bring the smile back to the earl’s eyes.
    ‘You told me there used to be at least a dozen hunters in the stables at any one time, in readiness for your father’s visits. Do you still keep them, sir?’
    ‘No. They are much reduced.’
    ‘Oh? Is the cost too great?’
    He grinned at her.
    ‘I am not quite done up yet, my love! I could afford to keep twenty an I so wished, but it does not please me to have animals eating their heads off when I am in Town. I keep just a couple of my favourite hacks here, since I am rarely at Russetts for more than a few days.’
    ‘I think I could happily live here for ever.’
    The earl looked amused. ‘Is that your wish, Melissa?’
    ‘I much prefer the country: I took some pleasure in Bath, but if your sister is to be believed, London society is a constant round of routs and parties.’
    ‘I should warn you, my lady, that you will be expected to make your calls to my neighbours, and there must be at least one reception here.’
    ‘Oh I have no wish to be a recluse, sir. It is just so much more comfortable here than in Town. I know I have little experience of the town, but even with Lady Carlestone, when I was supposed to be living in strict seclusion, it was impossible to avoid everyone, and to have them all trying to find out why—’ She broke off suddenly and turned troubled eyes towards her husband, but he continued for her, unperturbed.
    ‘Trying to find out why I was marrying you. How tiresome for you, and they cannot possibly have found the reason, for I am not even sure myself.’
    ‘You married me because I crossed you.’
    Aldringham stiffened in his chair. Borster entered the room at that moment and began to clear the tables, and any reply the earl