Valentine swallowed. “He will be sorely disappointed.”
He caught Melanie’s hand again. Her skin was ice cold, and after a moment she withdrew from his touch. “As much as I’d like to stay, I should be going before Father remembers I did not follow him. It’s a miracle I’ve had this long to myself. He has been uncomfortably watchful of late.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He is the way he is.” Melanie approached the door and opened it a crack. She turned back suddenly. “But before I go, I should like to say congratulations again. You’ve made a wise decision in marrying Julia. I hope you will both be very happy.”
“Thank you.” He moved to her side and kissed her brow. “No, I told you so’s? I thought you’d ring a peal over my head for taking so long.”
“Not today, and I’m sure my insistence had no impact on your decision. You have ever been a man to make up your own mind, in your own time.” She stepped out into the hall but stopped to curtsy. “Mr. George.”
“Miss Merton.” George bowed formally. “Felicitations for your birthday last month.”
His sister blinked and then she nodded. “Thank you, and the same to you of course.”
Valentine frowned a moment, then he groaned. “Damnation, I forgot you share a birthday. Happy Birthday.”
A fleeting smile crossed her face. “It wasn’t important.”
George gestured to the front door. “Your maid and a footman have arrived to return you to the hotel.”
Valentine raked his hand through his hair as Melanie hurried away and disappeared. After a few minutes of staring, he sighed. “I should have gone with her. Made it up to her somehow.”
George looked at him curiously. “How could you forget that your sister was of age?”
“I don’t know, but I did. Christ, she’ll never forget or forgive me for that.”
“Perhaps your parents spoilt her or something.” George shook his head.
“They likely wouldn’t have done anything to mark the occasion.” Valentine closed the door and sighed. “I should never have sent her back. It’s no wonder she’s having nightmares again.”
When George said nothing to that, he glanced at his friend. George was frowning. “Go ahead. Say what is on your mind. I’m sure you, like everyone else, have enjoyed the peace while she’s been gone.”
“I remember you saying you believed sending her home was the only course of action. We all believed she’d make more trouble for Julia. Discovering that might not have been the case now is disconcerting.”
Valentine glanced sharply at George. “You overheard us?”
“Not intentionally. The maid had come and…” George scratched his head. “I had no idea she wanted you to marry Julia. Everyone expected her to be furious about the match, if one was to be made.”
“With me. She was angry with me about the race and the eventual damage that would fall on Julia. We quarreled quite heatedly over the matter. She insisted I had no choice but to marry the day I sent her away.” Valentine shook his head. “When I refused, she begged me to at least consider it.”
George squinted toward the door. “I thought she disliked Julia.”
“Melanie does disapprove of Julia running about like a boy, and she has remarked endlessly about her habit of climbing through windows. It’s unladylike, but that is as far as her censure goes. It probably sounds a great deal worse from her own lips though.”
George shook his head. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“What have you heard, and from whom?”
George was silent a long moment then nodded. “I’ve been led to believe that Melanie finds the friendship between you and the Radleys an embarrassment.”
“She doesn’t. Has my father suggested that was the case?”
“Actually, no.” George shook his head. “What Melanie said about your cousin Teresa stirring up trouble might be correct, you know. Over the years, most of the criticism about Melanie—and it’s not even so easily termed, now I think about it—has come from your cousin. Melanie says this, Melanie says that. Melanie would not approve, etcetera. She is always quoting her. That is not to say your sister has always acted kindly, but added to the other, it has made her appear a shrew. Perhaps it is your cousin who does not approve of Julia. I shall have to look in to that.”
“Don’t cause trouble for her?”
“For Melanie?” George shrugged. “I don’t think her reputation can suffer any more than it already has. However, if Teresa is misrepresenting your sister’s opinions, I’d have thought you’d like to know for your own peace of mind.”