Melinda Hammond by The Bargain

bride.’
    Before she could reply, he lowered his head and his lips met hers for a brief instant.
    The next moment he was holding open the door of the private parlour, waiting to accompany her to the carriage.
    * * * *
    In the morning room of Whiston Hall, Sir Joseph’s comfortable house in Wiltshire, Simon Fryer stood before the fire, frowning. The eldest of Sir Joseph’s offspring, Mr Fryer had come down from Cambridge for the vacation and had arrived home that morning to find his parents in a state of anxiety. Perceiving her first born, Lady Fryer had thrown herself upon his neck, uttering such disjointed phrases that Mr Fryer was not at all sure his mama was glad to see him.
    ‘I am sorry I did not give you warning, Mama! Indeed, if I had known that my arrival here would throw you into such a state, I would have remained at the George until you sent for me!’
    Sir Joseph, coming out of the library to meet his son, greeted him in a much more subdued manner.
    ‘Simon. It is good to see you, but what are you doing here now? We did not expect you for at least two weeks.’
    ‘Oh, Barney Ritherfield was travelling this way, you know, and he offered me a place in his carriage. Thought to give you a pleasant surprise,’ he said, anxiously eyeing his mother, who was still clinging to his coat. To his relief, Lady Fryer finally loosened her hold on him and pulling herself together, she managed a coherent answer to her son’s enquiries.
    ‘We have had news, my dear, that I am sure will surprise you, as it did your dear papa and myself when we heard it. It concerns Melissa.’
    ‘Melissa! Why, is she ill?’
    Sir Joseph handed his son the earl’s letter.
    ‘No, Simon. She is married.’
    ‘Married! But how - why was I not told?’
    ‘No one knew of it. It was an elopement.’
    ‘An—! No, I will not believe that of Melissa. Why, there never was a more level-headed girl!’
    In the face of his son’s vehemence, Sir Joseph felt compelled to explain, at least in part. ‘I was - er - foolish enough to become involved with the Earl of Aldringham. Gambling debts. I won’t go into it all now.’ He paused a moment, reflecting. ‘Melissa ran off with Aldringham to save the family from ruin.’ Sir Joseph glanced defensively at his son. ‘It was her choice! I had hoped to keep the trouble a secret, and by retrenching we could have come about, but she discovered our difficulties and took matters into her own hands. She ran off with him over a month since. We feared the worst, but it seems she has been living with his sister. He has behaved very well by her and is bringing her here today, as his wife.’
    Simon stared at him.
    ‘Behaved well! I consider he has behaved in the most abominable fashion! To carry off a young innocent in exchange for a gambling obligation!’ He stared again at the letter in his hand. At length, he said, ‘What are you going to do, Papa? Shall you receive him?’
    ‘I have no choice. To refuse to do so would embarrass Melissa, and since he has married her we must hope it will be a successful union.’
    ‘Oh my dear, is it possible that perhaps he loves her?’ whispered Lady Fryer.
    Sir Joseph shook his head.
    ‘It is possible, but I think it more probable that he has been persuaded by his family of the impropriety of running off with a gently born young woman.’
    A gloomy silence settled over the room. Lady Fryer was inclined to take a more hopeful view of the case. After all, the earl was a most eligible parti, despite his reputation, his title and vast fortune making him a target for many a match-making mama. These reflections lightened her mood considerably, and Lady Fryer thought it would be as well to prepare for her niece’s visit. She broke up the party by ordering her son off to change his raiment, saying there was no knowing what time the newlyweds would arrive, and she would not have her son looking like a scarecrow. When Mr Fryer had gone, she took her husband’s arm.
    ‘Now