Free Match For Melissa by Kathryn Kirkwood Page B

was her partner in her very first dance. They did not speak, but moved as one, dipping and swaying across the balcony in flawless rhythm, guided by the lovely strains of the music.
    Time seemed to stand still for Melissa. She wished to remain in this stranger’s arms forever. But the music ended, as all music eventually must, and their dance was over.
    As the last strains of the waltz faded away on the still night air, the tall stranger held her for a long breathless moment. Melissa’s heart fluttered rapidly at his nearness and she held her breath in anticipation. Was he about to kiss her? She longed to stay in his arms, but she had been trained as a lady and, reluctantly, she slipped away.
    “Wait!” He called after her desperately. “You have not told me your name and I must see you again!”
    Her emotions in thorough disarray and her mind in utter turmoil, Melissa picked up her skirts and ran as if her life depended on it. She rushed out of the chamber and down the corridor, where she found a place of refuge in a deserted alcove. The stranger hurried out of the chamber a scant moment later in pursuit, and Melissa held her breath and prayed that he would not discover her hiding place.
    As he ran past her, on his way to the staircase, Melissa caught a glimpse of his features. She gasped and swayed, catching hold of the wall for support. She had been dancing with the gentleman from the park, the perfect match who made up the fabric of her fondest dreams!

Six
    Melissa drew a deep shuddering breath and stepped out of the alcove into the corridor. There was no one else in sight and for that fortunate circumstance, she was most grateful. If someone should suddenly appear to ask her what was amiss, she would be sorely at a loss for words. Realizing that she had so recently been in the arms of the gentleman of her dreams had left her senses reeling.
    Once she had returned Regina’s cloak, Melissa returned to the chamber she had so hastily vacated. She glanced once more at the balcony and reached up to touch her lips. He had been about to kiss her, she was certain of it, and now that the moment had passed, Melissa found herself wishing that she had remained in his arms. Two strangers, sharing a stolen moment of bliss, never to discover each other’s identities.
    It was at this exact moment that a distressing possibility occurred to Melissa. What if her handsome stranger should describe her features and make inquiries about her? It would be a source of many an
on-dit,
should she be identified as Lady Harrington’s maid! Jane would be certain to hear of it and Melissa should be confined to the house for the remainder of the Season to insure that she would never have the opportunity to behave so improperly again!
    Melissa quickly pushed these concerns aside and forced herself to view the situation with a rational bent. If she had not observed his features in the light of the corridor, she would nothave recognized his countenance. He had not enjoyed that advantage. The balcony had been in darkness and he had caught no glimpse of her face. And when she had fled through the lighted chamber to the corridor, he had viewed only her back. Melissa was certain that he was in total ignorance of her appearance. He could not describe her, and the secret of her identity was secure.
    After a quick glance in the mirror to make certain that her dress and hair were tidy, Melissa left the chamber to seek out Mrs. Collins. To her immense relief, she encountered no guests as she took her leave and soon she was again seated in Lady Beckworth’s carriage, riding through the streets with a large hamper at her side.
    Melissa arrived at the house in short order and after she had thanked the coachman for carrying her there, she placed the hamper on a table and called for Mary. Mrs. Collins had told her the hamper contained a few delicacies from the party and she had instructed Melissa to open it the moment she arrived at home.
    “Oh, miss!”