Miss Merton's Last Hope by Heather Boyd

last remembering where they stood. Valentine and Julia could come back at any moment and she dreaded to think what they might say of her behavior. They might insist Walter had to marry her, just because of a mere kiss. She would refuse him, of course. Walter did not realize he was making a grave mistake.
    They studied each other a long moment in silence. Words failed Melanie as she struggled to contain her panic.
    Walter nodded finally then cleared his throat. “Thank you again for the dance. I don’t believe I’ve ever had a more enjoyable afternoon.”
    His gaze darted to her lips once more and she trembled anew. What had she done? Anticipation and fear gripped her. She couldn’t decide which affected her more. Walter was just Walter. Her neighbor. Her brother’s friend. He had never once shown romantic interest in her before today. She had to say something cutting to send him away, but words stuck in her throat.
    “Until dinner tonight, Mellie. Perhaps you might oblige me with another dance then.” As he departed the room, a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
    Melanie collapsed against the wall, acutely aware that despite the surprisingly pleasant kiss, she’d dread his return later. She didn’t want to disappoint him but she would. She had no business encouraging any man.

Seven

    The trouble with eating with friends was that it was entirely possible to eat too much and not feel guilty about it. That lack of guilt was what had led to Walter’s larger size years ago. In recent times, exercise had combatted the worst of his past overindulgence, but hadn’t lessened his sweet tooth.
    Much like his interest in kissing Melanie. Once tried, it was all he could think about.
    He scraped the last of the Empress Pudding from his plate and glanced about him with a warm smile. It was good to be among friends.
    Across the table, one of the most influential couples in Brighton was seated and appeared happy. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwood, an older couple with children grown enough to have children of their own, were not quite finished with the splendid dessert course the Mertons had provided. Julia and Valentine were clearly done and smiled at each other all too often. Melanie, his dinner companion, was keeping pace with Walter and had helped along the conversation when it had lagged all through the meal.
    Of their earlier kiss, she showed no outward sign of reaction to him.
    Mrs. Hartwood pressed a napkin to her lips. “You set a wonderful table, Mrs. Merton.”
    Julia beamed happily as Valentine caught her hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Hartwood. You are very kind to say so, but you should also thank my dear sister. Without Melanie’s help, I would never have managed it all so well. My brother rarely entertained.”
    “Well, you are in good hands now.” Mrs. Hartwood glanced at Melanie approvingly. “You must both come for tea tomorrow and meet my grandchildren.”
    Melanie smiled warmly at Julia and allowed her to answer. “We should like that very much.”
    Such a gracious woman to defer to a younger sibling-by-marriage, but he supposed that was how it was meant to be in such a household. He cast a glance over Melanie and saw more that appealed to him. She was wearing a modest burgundy gown with dark seed pearls decorating the neckline and silver embroidery across the bodice and capped sleeves. It was a simple gown really, but made unique by the careful details, and one that suited Melanie to perfection. She did not try to draw attention but she claimed it anyway.
    One had to look hard to see the effort the woman made to suit the situation. Julia, seated across the table, outshone Melanie with her gold necklace and elaborate curls. Her gown was of cream silk and lace, a costly gown by any standard. But of the two, Walter preferred Melanie.
    After their kiss that afternoon, he was afraid that he preferred Melanie very much indeed.
    He’d gone for a very long walk after their kiss to clear his head, to talk some sense into