Free Dreaming of You by Jennifer McNare

had been “offered” the opportunity to start a new life for him and his wife in America, with significant financial assistance from the earl.  Clearly, once she had conceived, Charles wanted the Edwards’ far away from England.  Aside from her, John and Mary were the only people who could connect the kidnapping to Charles, and it was obvious that he wasn’t going to take any chances.  Despite his qualms, John had agreed to do the earl’s bidding, and Mary, at her husband’s request, had agreed to go along with it as well, fearful of what the earl might have done if they had refused.  She was glad Mary had confided in her, for it made it easier to understand their involvement.  
    “I baked a loaf of John’s favorite pumpkin bread this morning,” Mary said, moving a small wicker basket from her lap and setting it onto the floor between them.    
    “It smells delicious.”  Melody said, inhaling the pleasant aroma, distracted from her internal reflection.  
    “I cut a few slices for you, dear,” she said fondly, dropping the formal “My Lady”, as Melody had requested.  “Would you like one now?”  
    “Perhaps on the way back, Mary, thank you,” she said smiling.  “I am still full from breakfast.”  
    “Well, I’m glad to know you’ve gotten your appetite back,” Mary said, sounding a bit like a concerned mother hen.  “Cook mentioned that you’d hardly eaten a thing this past week.”  
    Melody had always suffered from a bit of appetite loss when she had her monthlies, and this time had been no different.  “If you continue to tempt me with all of your delicious baked goods you will have me looking like a fattened sow before long,” she said with a teasing smile.    
    “I was thinking of baking a peach cobbler tomorrow.”  
    Peach cobbler , her favorite.  Melody rolled her eyes skyward and heaved a dramatic sigh.  “I shall have to start letting out the waistlines of my gowns before long,” she joked.  She faltered then, her smile fading as she realized that what she’d just said could very well become an actuality, but for an entirely different reason altogether.  She looked back to the road, her hands unconsciously tightening on the reins.  
    Mary noticed.  Reaching out, she placed her hand on Melody’s forearm and gave a reassuring squeeze.  
    Sadly, Mary and John had no children of their own, for it was clear to Melody that Mary Edwards would have been a wonderful mother.  
     
     
    When they reached the cottage, John greeted them as usual, assisting them as they disembarked from the vehicle.  Then, while Mary grabbed the basket of bread from the floorboard, Melody busied herself by brushing the travel dust from her skirts.  
    “Yer too good t’me, Mrs. Edwards,” John said with a pleased grin, as he peeked inside the covered basket.  
    “Indeed I am,” Mary responded with a playful wink.  “You are a fortunate man to be sure, Mr. Edwards.”  
    Chuckling, John reached for the horses’ reins and then turned toward the small stable.    
    Melody couldn’t help smiling at their playful banter.  It reminded her of the lighthearted and loving relationship that her own parents shared.  She’d been allowed to visit them only once since her wedding, and she missed them dreadfully.    
    “I’ll slice you a nice thick piece while you see to the horse,” Mary called over her shoulder, as she and Melody walked to the cottage door.  
    Once inside, Mary placed the basket on the kitchen table and then donned the apron that hung on a nearby peg.  Each day she washed the dishes, cleaned and tidied the small cottage and tended to the men’s laundry while she waited for Melody.    
    After only a slight hesitation, Melody turned to the door that entered into the narrow hallway.  She could navigate the dark passage on her own now, and after that first day John no longer escorted her to the bedroom.  Moving to the door, she opened it and stepped through,