Free Match For Melissa by Kathryn Kirkwood

ladies desperately attempting to catch his mother’s eye. The introductions would be made, the amenities duly observed under his mother’s close scrutiny, and he would be required to ask each of them to stand up with him.
    After escorting his mother to a comfortable chair beside a potted palm and fetching a glass of champagne for her, Robert bowed and made his excuses. He had left his favorite snuffbox in the pocket of his cape. It would only take a moment to retrieve it and he promised to be back almost before he was missed.
    “Excuse me.” Robert caught the eye of a maid in the hallway. “I fear I’ve left something in the pocket of my cape. Could you please direct me to the proper chamber?”
    The serving maid bobbed a curtsy and looked up at him boldly with a saucy smile. “Yes, sir. It’s down the grand staircase, the second door to the right. Would you be liking me to help you fetch it, sir?”
    “No, that’s not at all necessary.” Robert favored her with a smile. She was a comely wench and obviously eager for his attentions, but he desired no passing dalliance with one of Aunt Sarah’s maids.
    Robert soon found the cloak room and began to look for his cape. It took him several minutes, but he found it at last and drew the snuffbox from his pocket. He harbored no desire for this item. His excuse to his mother had been merely a ploy to escape the confines of the ballroom, but he dropped it into his pocket in the event that she should quiz him on whether or not he had located it.
    He was engaged in seeking out a deserted chamber where he could enjoy a few moments of solitude before rejoining the crush in the ballroom, when he noticed a young lady on the balcony that ran the length of the house. She was standing alone, wrapped in a cloak, gazing up at the stars overhead. Though he had no wish for social converse at this particular moment, Robert found that he was most curious. Perhaps some younglady had also grown disenchanted with the ball and was seeking a moment of refuge.
    As Robert’s curiosity drew him in her direction, a wealth of scenarios played out in his mind. She could not be one of Aunt Sarah’s maids, taking a respite from her duties. Aunt Sarah’s housekeeper was demanding with her staff. One of her maids would not be so foolish as to stand by idly contemplating the stars where she could be so easily observed.
    If she was not a servant, the woman before him must be a lady of quality and it was likely that she had come here to collect her thoughts. If she were in some sort of distress, his duty was clear. As a gentleman of good breeding, it was his obligation to offer his assistance.
    Robert’s thoughts turned to the possible cause of her distress. If he found that she had quarreled with her spouse, he would quickly make his excuses and depart. It was never wise to take sides in a squabble between husband and wife. On the other hand, she could be unmarried and distressed over some slight that had been given her.
    It was even possible that she was someone of his acquaintance. Robert peered at her intently, but he was unable to reach any positive conclusion. The balcony was in darkness, she had pulled up the hood of her cloak, and it was impossible to discern her features. In any event, he was now only inches from the balcony door and he decided that he must satisfy his curiosity before he took his leave.
    Melissa was lost in a perfect dream when reality intruded at the sound of footsteps behind her. Before she could whirl and dash back into the safety of the chamber, a deep voice spoke.
    “Are the stars in the heavens more interesting than the company in the ballroom?”
    Melissa turned to peer at the tall gentleman who had joined her on the balcony. The moon had not yet risen and she could not see his face. It quickly occurred to her that if she could notdiscern his features, he would be at the same disadvantage. Since his voice had held a liberal hint of laughter, Melissa found herself