Montgomery Family 01 - Lost Pleasures Found by Vikki Vaught Read Free Book Online Page B

years, and his health was not as good as she would like. Melody knew she was very dear to them, and they were so pleased to have her home again. She told them more about Henry and that he was supposed to be arriving around the middle of September. Her parents were happy for her and hoped that it would all work out the way she wanted. They wanted her to have a love match, but they were not sure she was ready for marriage yet. She knew it was disconcerting to her parents to think of her getting married and moving away, as she was their only child. She also knew that they had always hoped she would find someone closer to them when it came time for her to marry. It was apparent that it bothered them because Henry lived in the south of England.
    Everyday, Melody would think of Henry and look forward to his visit. She did receive one letter from him, and he told her he should be there around the third week of September, a little later than he had planned. Melody kept herself busy by helping her father with his sermons. She would write them for him, as his hands were crippled up with rheumatism. “Father, I have finished writing your sermon. Do you want to check it over and make sure that it’s right?”
    Her father looked over at Melody and smiled, then replied, “I’m sure the sermon is fine. It’s such a joy to have you home again. Your mother and I missed you greatly while you were gone. We were so pleased when Miriam asked you to visit her in London and that she was willing to sponsor you for a season. However, we’re glad that you’re home. Now, why don’t you tell me more about Henry?”
    With a dreamy expression on her face, Melody said, “Oh, Father, he is so wonderful. I think that you’ll like him a great deal. I already told you his father is the Duke of Sanderford. I don’t think he gets on well with his parents. He made some comments about it when we were together. He has an elder brother, who will inherit the dukedom, and he also has two younger sisters. I gather that he hasn’t spent much time at home in the last six years, due to the war. He’s still in the army, and he hasn’t made up his mind about when he will sell his commission. He seems to like the army and isn’t sure he’s ready to leave it yet. The duke wants him to sell his commission so that he can help with all the ducal holdings. I’m sure that he will do so, but not until he gets his men settled.”
    “You seem quite taken by this young man. It sounds as if he’s still quite young and may not be ready to settle down. Four and twenty is still very young for a man to be thinking of marriage. I don’t want to see you get hurt, so it might be smart to take it slow. Give yourself plenty of time, to make sure that you’re truly in love with him and that he feels the same way. Your mother and I married for love, and that’s what we want for you. We always hoped that when the time came for you to marry, you would find a nice local young man, so you would live close by. This young man lives so far away,” he replied.
    With determination in her voice, she said, “I don’t need to think about it. I know that I’m in love with Henry, and I feel he loves me. He hasn’t told me so, but all his actions tell me he does. I don’t think he would spend the time to come all the way here if he weren’t serious about his intentions. Father, please be happy for me and just listen to Henry when he comes. He’ll be here in a few days, and I want you and Mother to give him a chance to prove that he really cares for me. That’s all that I ask, all right?”
    Her father patted her shoulder, and with love in his eyes, he said, “Of course, we will listen to your young man, and if he’s as wonderful as you say he is, I’m sure that we’ll like him.”
    Finally, the day had arrived, and Melody could not wait for Henry to get there. She was so eager and excited. When Henry arrived, he was riding his horse, Jupiter. He looked so handsome that he took