“To our ladies,” Peter murmured before setting his glass aside.
Mr. Lane thought himself something of a poet, and knowing he had a captive audience, began to quote his work out loud. Walter’s friends clapped respectfully and then turned the conversation to local events. He was praised for his assistance to Mrs. Clemens then Peter leaned close. “I must warn you. If you have not noticed, the ladies have it in their heads to find you a wife.”
Walter paused with his drink halfway to his lips. “That would be a mistake.”
“Imogen thought so too at first, but I fear Mrs. Hawke and Mrs. Merton have convinced her you just need to meet the right woman.”
He’d met her when he was ten years old. He took a long sip of his drink and shook his head at the astonishing idea.
He glanced across at Valentine Merton, noting the man was deep in his own thoughts again. Valentine had been that way all night and he was puzzled by it. Even Julia had been quiet enough during dinner to make him concerned. Was something wrong between the newlyweds again?
Walter moved toward Valentine. “What’s the matter?”
The man considered his answer a long time before he said, “My sister wants to leave Brighton.”
“She might have mentioned something of that nature in passing, I think.” He’d not believed her serious about it though.
Valentine sipped his port then grimaced. “She set a date. Friday.”
Walter was left reeling by the news he only had two more days to see her. “You couldn’t change her mind?”
“I’ve never been very good at that.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “She’s like a dog with a bone when she makes a decision. Even more so when I don’t like it.”
“I see.”
Stubborn woman. Her mind had to change or they’d both be miserable alone.
He accepted another drink as he pondered how convincing her to stay might be accomplished. Short of compromising her, he was left with kidnapping and imprisonment as his only other option.
Mr. Lane returned and droned on for a while about his latest project but when it was time to rejoin the ladies, Walter made his excuses and fled the party. Rather than go home, he headed for the seashore to do some serious thinking. Spending the night hours by the water was a particular favorite, even if one always had to keep an eye open for any unscrupulous scoundrels who preyed on the weak and unmindful.
He halted at the edge of the grass, unwilling to ruin his best boots in saltwater and sand, and absorbed the view. Moonlight shone silver upon the restless channel, lighting up the night and the incoming tide. There was always something to see on the shore and tonight was no exception. How could Mellie think to leave all this beauty again?
Ahead of him, a deep shadow marked debris left behind by earlier waves and he peered at it curiously. Once, he’d discovered a satchel of women’s clothing and had concluded it part of a cargo lost from a passing ship.
The shape on the beach grew in size however and he stared, and then laughed at his folly. Judging by the shape, a woman, long skirts clinging to her legs, had allowed the sea to claim her attention a touch too long and now suffered the consequences of being waterlogged. She was struggling to walk.
He hurried to offer aid, skidding down the slope haphazardly in his haste. She drew back, glancing left and right, her arms outstretched to keep him back.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said quickly. “I only wished to give you the aid of my arm.”
“Walter?” Melanie exclaimed. “Oh, you scared me half to death!”
“Mellie?” He glanced left and right too, searching for Melanie’s maid, and failed to find any sign of the woman, or indeed any other person nearby. He rushed to her side. “What the devil do you think you are doing out here alone?”
“Attempting to gather shells to take home with me,” She glanced around her. “I remember seeing some here this afternoon but they are gone now.”
“Your brother will skin you alive.”
She trudged past him, hands fisted into her skirts. “He will say nothing.”
“Like hell he will,” Walter grumbled as he followed her.
“My brother believes I am at home.” Melanie stopped a little farther up the beach and paused to make a futile attempt to wring out seawater from the bottom of her gown. “I would appreciate it if you could keep our meeting here tonight between us.”
A breaking wave surged toward them and Walter swung her up into his arms to carry her away from danger.
She struggled the entire way. “Unhand me!”