Free Match For Melissa by Kathryn Kirkwood Page A

responding in kind. “The stars are indeed preferable, sir. I have enjoyed a most delightful conversation with Cassiopeia.”
    “And what did the mother of Andromeda tell you?”
    Melissa experienced a jolt of pleasure. Her uninvited companion knew the old myth. She considered her words for one brief moment and then she divulged one of her deepest and most private thoughts. “The stars are timeless, eternal and infinite, qualities we cannot claim as mere mortals. They change slowly, in a predictable manner. She felt that we should take a lesson from their constancy.”
    “A bit of wisdom from one glittering Incomparable to another?”
    “Hardly, sir!” Melissa laughed softly. “I am a mere speck in the grand scheme of things, scarcely worthy of notice.”
    “You are far too modest, madame.” There was a teasing note in his voice. “Tell me your name so that I may know you, and I shall decide whether your assessment of your character is accurate.”
    Melissa considered her reply very carefully. It was best that he remain in ignorance of her identity. Her stepmother would never approve of converse with a gentleman to whom she had not been properly introduced and quick to chastise her severely for such an improper action. “Souls in the darkness possess no names. I am merely a voice with no shape to tether it to this earth. Perhaps I am not human at all. You would be none the wiser. Indeed, I can and will be anyone I choose.”
    “And who will you choose?”
    He sounded intrigued and Melissa smiled into the darkness. “I shall be one of my favorite mythical beings, come to life on this very evening to taste the pleasures of mortality.”
    “A lovely sentiment and well stated, but you must tell me which particular mythical being I am addressing.”
    Melissa recalled that magical time, so long ago, when herfather had introduced her to the wonder of myths and legends. The baron had told her the old tales and little Melissa had been enthralled. “I shall be Diana, the huntress.”
    “Ah! And I am the hunted?” His voice sounded suddenly wary.
    “You flatter yourself, sir!” Melissa gave a merry peal of laughter. “Perhaps I shall choose to dally with you for a moment, but I should not bother to hunt you!”
    “Others have hunted me and I have successfully escaped their lures.” His words were again light and teasing and Melissa thought he sounded much relieved. “Oh, great Diana, do you not regard me as a worthy catch?”
    “Hardly, sir! You must remember that the company I keep is exalted and my mythical companions would regard you with a sad lack of esteem. Their regard is limited to those who have slain armies with a single blow, tamed the lightning to do their bidding, and ridden on the back of the wind.”
    He laughed again. “Give me your hand, my goddess, and I shall escort you back to the ballroom. Once there I will show you how to tame the tabbies of the
ton.
It is said to be a far greater task than slaying dragons or commanding the waves.”
    “Alas, I cannot go with you, sir.” Melissa sensed that he was about to reach out to grasp her hand and she pulled back quickly. “I am certain I should enjoy it immensely, but my time on this earth is fleeting and my duties are many. I fear you must leave me now.”
    The orchestra began to play another waltz and he shook his head. “Not quite yet my famed goddess. Dear Diana, will you give me the pleasure of being my partner in this waltz?”
    Bowing low, he extended his arm to Melissa. She hesitated for only the briefest of moments and then she took his arm. There could be no harm in dancing with this delightful stranger. He did not know her identity, nor she his.
    Melissa’s heart began to beat faster as he held her in the darkness and they began to dance, fitting into each other’s arms and matching their steps perfectly. It was a magical momentand Melissa was certain that she would remember it for the remainder of her life. This wonderful stranger