Read Online Miss Merton's Last Hope by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online Page B

alone.
    “What?”
    “You must be one of the richest men in Brighton,” she whispered quietly so her brother did not overhear her remark.
    If Walter thought it odd she questioned his finances, he gave no sign. He shrugged. “Not quite. Mr. Hartwood is ahead of me, as is Hawke.”
    The pianoforte fell silent.
    “But you do not act as if you could buy anything you wanted,” Julia stated boldly. “You do not dress a dandy nor flaunt your wealth. No one has ever spoken of you in those terms.”
    Melanie winced. It was one thing to privately assess the assets of a gentlemen, but quite another to have the discussion in a drawing room after a dinner party where the man was a guest.
    “Well, that can only be to my advantage.” He grinned and seemed entirely unbothered by the discussion. “I must admit I’m not sorry to be spared the fortune hunters seeking me out. I’d much rather be liked for myself than for my money.”
    “Miss Langston is assuredly after a wealthy husband,” Julia warned him.
    “You could marry anyone you like,” Melanie added in quickly, determined to turn him away from the young lady. Miss Langston wouldn’t do for Walter George. Imogen disliked the girl immensely because she did not care to read. That had to be a consideration in his choice.
      “That is true.” He shrugged again, as if finding the topic boring. “With your dowry, Miss Merton, I’m sure you could have done the same long ago too. We have a lot in common in that respect.”
    “What about Miss Vickers?” Julia suggested. “She’s very pretty.”
    Valentine burst out laughing. “My word, this is interesting. I’ve never had a front-row seat to two people matchmaking one poor man. Terribly unfair. I think he should have a chance at it, too. Since there is only one unmarried woman in the room, who would you pick for Melanie to marry, Walter?”
    “Well, now. That is a serious question.”
    Her stomach flipped as his attention locked on her. Walter deserved to know her mind before another moment passed, before he suggested something he’d later regret.
    She swallowed nervously. “Except I don’t wish to marry.”
    “I’m sure in time you’d grow accustomed to being held,” he assured her with a soft smile.
    “That is not the reason.” She met his gaze. “I don’t wish for children, and a husband would expect me to comply.”
    He blinked and then is eyes widened in surprise.
    Beyond him, Julia and Valentine gasped.
    “That is absurd. You like children. I’ve seen you with children,” Walter said, stating the obvious.
    “Yes, I like other people’s children very much, and even more when I hand them back.” She smoothed her hands over her skirts, anxiety filling her. “I simply don’t wish for my own, I never have, so there is no point in marrying.”
    He stared into space and Melanie held her breath. His jaw clenched firmly and his brows wrinkled as if he was struggling with a confusing idea.
    “Say what is on your mind, sir?”
    His face darkened to a deep red and she flinched. Melanie had seen Walter angry only once before. The day Linus Radley had proposed and then insulted her. Walter had been terribly upset with the man. More than he should have been. More than her own brother even.
    He was angry now too and she was ashamed to concede she might have led him to think there could be more between them. She’d allowed him to kiss her, and matches had been made on account of far less.
    Her heart ached but she couldn’t retract her words or change her opinion. She would never put a child through the same despair she’d suffered. She wasn’t like other women. Her arms didn’t ache to hold a child.
    He cleared his throat. “I cannot say what I feel.”
    “Well I can.” Valentine sprang to his feet. “This is something you might have told me. Should have told me long ago.”
    “I apologize.” She bowed her head, contrite but not changed.
    “You do realize that despite the distance, our parents