Read Online The Mad Lord's Daughter by Jane Goodger - Free Book Online Page B

there stood John, staring at her with concern and fear. Without thinking, she flung herself into his arms and allowed him to half drag her into their box, which had been but a few steps away. She was shaking uncontrollably, pressing her forehead against his chest, clutching his lapels as though if she let go, she’d plummet down to the gallery below.
    “It’s all right,” he murmured. “You’re safe now. Safe. It’s all right.” He continued to calm her, his voice low and steady, as slowly she began to relax against him.
    “What has happened?” Her uncle. She clung even more fiercely as she felt John shrug.
    “I found her just outside, terrified of something. I don’t know what.”
    “N-nothing,” she managed, lifting her face up to look at him. “It was nothing. I . . .”
    “I don’t think she was ready for such a crowd. Is that it, then?”
    She nodded, then pressed her forehead against him, and he tightened his hold on her. “I’m s-so sorry.”
    “I don’t want you to worry about a thing, not a thing,” her uncle blustered. Then, “Where the devil is Miss Stanhope? She’s supposed to be with her charge, not gallivanting all about the opera house socializing.”
    “I was eight boxes away, conversing with my niece and my brother,” came a terse reply. “You, if I do recall, said you would keep an eye on her.”
    “Well, you should have stayed here.”
    Melissa straightened up, shaking her head. “Please, Uncle, it’s not Miss Stanhope’s fault. It is mine and mine alone. I had no idea I would react in such a way. I have no experience at this, you see. I should have stayed in the box as you directed me, but I needed to . . .” She flushed pink. Even she knew one did not mention aloud going to the necessary in front of members of the opposite sex.
    “No need to worry,” Miss Stanhope said in her no-nonsense tone. “The crowds have dispersed. I can direct you. And perhaps we should call it an evening, my lords?”
    “Of course,” Lord Braddock said rather quickly.
    “I thought it was a great bore, too,” John said, then gave Melissa a wink.
    “We’ll meet the two of you in the lobby,” Lord Braddock said. “And, please, Melissa, don’t worry about a thing. We’ll muddle through this just fine.”
    By the time the carriage pulled up in front of her uncle’s Piccadilly town house, everyone had agreed London was a bit overwhelming for a girl who had been as isolated as Melissa had. The plan was for Miss Stanhope, Melissa, and John to head to their country estate in Flintwood, with Lord Braddock to follow in a few weeks’ time when his business in Parliament was concluded. Melissa did not object, for she truly thought their plan was best. It would allow her to get used to being out and about at small, inconsequential amusements where she would not be faced with such large crowds of people. By May or June, she would be ready for the season—and finding a husband.
    During her long lessons on etiquette and deportment, Melissa had never questioned the necessity of such knowledge. She simply went along with the lessons because her father asked it of her. But now she realized everything she’d learned was in preparation for a day she hadn’t thought would ever come.
    The thought of having a husband, of being out in the world by herself, was more than daunting. It was terrifying.

Chapter 5
    Melissa sat up in bed and hugged her knees, watching in pure delight as snow fell outside her window, big wet globs that would surely turn to rain if the day warmed. But for now, it was a lovely sight, especially knowing this would be the first time in memory that she would be allowed to go out into it.
    Snow in Bamburgh was a rarity, but on the few occasions it had snowed, her father had forbade her to touch it for fear she’d catch a cold. But over the years she had snuck to a window and touched the impossibly soft and frozen fluff that clung to her sill. She’d even felt the snow kiss her cheeks