to take a walk and do some shopping in Matlock, so from the early morning the servants had been busy, getting the stroller ready by their masters’ outing after breakfast.
Just before the departure, George Melshem appeared. He stopped near the couple and asked permission to invite Melody to the picnic.
“But I have prepared to go down town with my mother and father!” protested Miss Fellows.
“That is all right, dear,” responded Rebecca. “You can accept our neighbor’s invitation, and we will buy whatever you ask.”
“You give your permission, but Father will not.”
“Why wouldn’t I, my dear?” asked Mr. Fellows.
“But Father!”
“Melody, the viscount rode here specially for you, to say the least! And we shall go to Matlock again at the end of the month.”
“Do you object my company, Miss Fellows?” wondered Mr. Melshem.
“Not at all! I apologize if I have made you think so,” said Melody. “Of course, I will gladly accompany you and Miss Melshem to the picnic.”
The neighbor did not specify that there would be the two of them and the servant on the picnic.
“Georgia is late,” mentioned Miss Fellows, descending from her horse.
“To be honest, she is not going to join us,” admitted George Melshem.
“Why not?”
“You see, I wanted to speak with you alone.”
Melody looked away in embarrassment.
“You shouldn’t have,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have what?”
“Deprived me of my parents’ company by deceit.”
“Are you avoiding me?”
Miss Fellows was quiet.
“Has somebody taken your heart already?” insisted George.
“Yes. No.”
“Or am I the reason? Do I repel you, Melody?”
“You are very handsome, Mr. Melshem, and kind; but I cannot return your feelings.”
“So, all I can hope for is your brother’s friendship?”
“And mine too!”
“But nothing more! You know,” continued George, “that I can provide for you and your family, if we are married.”
“Yes, I do,” said Miss Fellows.
“And do you know that both our families are looking forward to this marriage?”
“All, except my father. He asks me to follow my heart.”
“If one listens to what you say, one might think Mr. Fellows is a righteous man.”
“I’m sorry if offended you, Viscount…”
“George!”
“George,” continued Melody, “but this conversation is pointless.”
“In this case, let me take you back. Just remember that I know how to wait!” and the girl’s companion kissed her hand.
On her return to the house, Miss Fellows burst into tears. That was the state the maid Megan found her in the sitting room.
“What is the matter?” she asked and rushed to the master’s daughter.
“I am distressed by my conversation with Countess Melshem’s son.”
“Was he rude to you?”
“No, not at all! It is just that he… insists on our marriage.”
“But you do not love him, do you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I have no right to say that, milady, but you better accept him.”
“Why?”
“Because he will provide for you, and you position in society will be elevated.”
“It is not important to me.”
“Yet. But as time goes, your beauty will fade, and earls and viscounts will no longer make you such offers.”
“But I will be with my father and mother.”
“What about after they are dead?”
“Do not say that!” exclaimed Melody.
“Apologies, Miss Fellows,” said Megan. “I spoke out of turn.”
At that moment, they heard loud voices, and a footman came in with Rebecca Fellows’s purchases. “This conversation never happened,” whispered Melody to the maid just in time and went to see her parents and her brother.
Chapter III
One early spring day Ralph Fellows and Georgia Melshem were walking along the neighborhood and came upon a wonderful park with flowerbeds inside. The young man offered his companion to sit down on the nearest bench exactly opposite a wild rose garden.
“I have to admit, I had not expected an invitation to take a walk with you, Master Fellows,” said Miss Melshem and inhaled the fragrance of flowers.
“A s long as I live under my parents’ roof, I must obey their will,” casually mentioned the companion, thus making the girl wonder.
“Do you not find me pretty?”
“I do. I should even say that you are much prettier than an average English woman aged 15 years and older.”
“Why are you not attracted to me then?” his companion took the liberty of asking.
Ralph was silent.
“My parents hold you in high esteem,” continued Georgia. “I, as well as you, am used to obeying their will. Although, my sympathy towards you is sincere.”
“Thank you,” replied Mr. Fellows chilly.
“So strange that my brother and I are drawn to Melody and you with all our hearts and both of you reject us. Why?”
“I cannot answer for my sister, Miss Melshem. As for me… perhaps, I am too young for love.”
“But not too young for friendship,” finished his companion. “You lavish my brother with your attention.” She gave the young man a red rose that she had picked a minute ago.
Ralph took it, stroked its delicate petals with his fingers, and unexpectedly for his companion put the bud into his mouth and ate it.
“What are you doing?”
