An Unsinkable Love(54)
Bree was a bit fatigued when they returned to the house and Malcolm insisted she take a nap before dinner. She awoke refreshed and quickly dressed in a light frock. After she brushed out her hair, she secured it with a matching ribbon and allowed it to tumble down her back to please Malcolm. Anxious to see him again, she bounced merrily down the stairs but came to a halt when she heard voices from below.
She stopped on the landing and peered over the railing.
Eldon leaned casually against the jamb in the parlor doorway, talking to someone inside. Bree couldn't make out the muted voice. She walked more sedately down the remaining steps.
181
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Eldon caught her movement and turned to face her, a smug expression settling on his face.
"Ah, and here she is. The lovely Bree. Come in, my dear.
We were having a drink before dinner."
Bree entered the room, searching for Malcolm. Instead, she spied Melody draped languorously across the settee, a dainty stemmed glass dangling from her hand. Bree stumbled to a stop and looked around, but Elizabeth and Malcolm were not in the room.
Melody raised her glass in a casual salute. "Good evening, Miss Barry. I hope you don't mind. Eldon invited me to join you for dinner. It seems so natural to be here. I've probably spent as much time in this house as my own, ever since I was a child. If you have any questions about the family, or Malcolm, please feel free to ask. I'm sure I can enlighten you." With a coy smile partially hidden behind her hand, she continued, "Of course, there are some questions I won't answer. I mean, they're just too personal to get into. I'm sure you understand." The blonde smiled dreamily.
Bree understood, all right. "Why, Melody, you have no idea how much fun I'm having getting to know all about Malcolm on my own. As for Elizabeth, the two of use share a rare bond. After all, we survived the Titanic sinking." Bree bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling as she saw Melody's eyes narrow and her smirk dim.
Voices echoed from the hall and Malcolm and Elizabeth entered. Malcolm's gaze fastened on Bree's, and he smiled as he strode to her, ignoring the other two occupants.
182
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
He was only a step away when Melody called out,
"Malcolm, we've been waiting for you. Dear Bree is trying her best to be a hostess, but I don't think she's had much experience at it. I'm sure it's hard to suddenly be thrown into a life so different from anything she's known." She simpered.
"Eldon explained about your dear Bree's background."
Instead of acknowledging Melody or Eldon, Malcolm continued to Bree's side where he greeted her with a peck on the cheek. He pulled her under the protection of his arm and, as she looked deep into his eyes, gave her a reassuring smile.
Malcolm turned to face Melody. "Perhaps Eldon didn't explain everything about Bree's background. Did he tell you she spent most of her life in a castle as a close confidante to an English peer of the realm? I'm sure our much more modest home is nothing special to her. It might be she's more used to having visitors announce their intentions in advance, but she'll soon settle in to our more casual way of life."
Bree was surprised, and grateful. With a few words he'd given Melody the impression she had been a friend of the Rothberrys, rather than a servant, and handed out a subtle rebuke for the woman's arriving unannounced.
Eldon directed his comments to his wife. "I didn't think you'd mind if I invited Melody to dinner, Elizabeth. She's such a close family friend. It appears Malcolm has forgotten."
Bree saw Elizabeth's eyes flick back and forth between her husband and son, her indecision clear. She said, "It's wonderful to meet your childhood friends, Malcolm. I hope I'll have the opportunity often. I certainly don't want any changes made to your usual habits because I'm here."
183
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Bree heard Malcolm's low snort of amusement at her wording, which relegated Melody to a playmate rather than a lover.
Elizabeth smiled at Bree gratefully then spoke to her son,
"Malcolm, perhaps you'd get Bree and me a bit of wine?"
The next few minutes were filled with awkward silence as Malcolm busied himself with the drinks. A collective sigh of relief sounded when the maid stepped in and announced dinner.
In the large formal dining room, Eldon and Elizabeth occupied the head and foot of the table, with Malcolm and Bree on one side and Melody by herself on the other. The blonde seemed incapable of taking her amber eyes off Malcolm. Bree was relieved he didn't seem to care, directing most of his comments to herself or his mother. She noticed Eldon watching Malcolm, a hard glint in his eyes. When the elder DuMont noticed Bree's gaze, he quickly replaced the sneer with a look of polite interest.