“Perhaps it will.”
He smoothed her hair behind her ear. “What did Linus say to you?”
“Nothing. He only came to enquire after his sister’s health.”
“He should have apologized,” Walter grumbled and then stroked his thumb over her knuckles.
“Honestly, I don’t need the apology and I don’t want you demanding it.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Could you stay a while longer?”
His smile was soft. “I wasn’t going to leave until Radley was on his way home and I was certain you were feeling yourself again.”
She smiled because he was the last man she’d ever expected to make her feel good about herself. Secure, safe. She did want his arms around her. His lips covering hers. His dry wit and teasing smile driving away the doubts that filled her mind constantly. She had grown accustomed to him, just as he’d suggested she might of a suitor.
However, he’d never said he was courting her. He’d never brought her flowers or taken her driving. Yet he knew her better than any of the men who had previously proposed. She wanted to show him how much she cared.
She glanced up at his face then leaned toward him, seeking a kiss. He obliged with a softly muttered groan and pulled her against him.
Walter brushed his lips across hers and she did the same back to him. She lifted her fingers to span his neck and pulled him even closer, settling her body against his, but he broke the kiss.
“I love when you touch me,” he whispered against her ear. The warm tickle of his breath against her skin made her gasp. He brushed over her throat with the tips of his fingers and her senses rioted.
He eased away. “We should stop before your brother comes down and catches us. I’ve asked for tea to be readied for you and I think Valentine could use a drink to settle his nerves when he joins us.”
He’d no sooner spoken of Valentine than the thump of boots on stairs reached her ears. She jumped to her feet guiltily as Valentine and Mr. Radley joined them. “How is she?”
Valentine ran a hand through his hair as Walter moved to the sideboard where the liquor was stored. “She’s asking for you.”
Melanie hurried from the room, regretful and grateful for Valentine’s interruption. It was so easy to get swept away when she was alone with Walter.
She slipped inside the doorway of her brother’s room quietly. Julia lay flat on her back staring up at the ceiling. A bottle of laudanum and a silver spoon sat upon a small table near the bed.
“Sister,” Julia whispered.
“I’m here.” A chair had been placed beside the bed and she perched on the edge. “What can I do?”
“Nothing for me. I have little time.” She licked her lips. “You have feelings for Walter, don’t you?”
“I…” Melanie nodded. “Yes.”
Despite the pain, Julia managed a smile. “I thought so.”
Melanie leaned closer and whispered, “How could you?”
“You have always preferred Walter’s company and you were so sad after you quarreled.”
“That was for many reasons.”
A smile curved Julia’s lips. “You were moping so much, I’m surprised Valentine didn’t discern he was the cause.”
“I was not moping,” Melanie insisted, but whom was she fooling? She had lost her heart to Walter. His disapproval had cut her to the quick.
“You are a terrible liar.” Julia winced. “I will be laid up a while, confined to bed they say, so I have demanded Valentine make you stay in Brighton for as long as I need you. That will be as long as it takes for Walter to propose.”
She brushed her fingers over Julia’s brow gently, surprised to see her hand was steady for a change. “You didn’t fall out of that window on purpose, did you?”
“No. I’d never be as foolish as to purposely injure myself. I had not tried a window escape in this house from the upper floor and I’m sure I never shall try again.” Julia licked her lips and closed her eyes briefly. “But I’ve been trying to dream up a way to make you stay and having no success. I like having a sister too much to lose you so soon. I’d rather lose you to Walter than to your parents. They don’t love you like we do. Like he does. Miss Pond happens to agree with my assessment.”
Melanie reached for Julia’s left hand. “He has not proposed a marriage between us. He is not courting me.”