The Earl who Saved her (Preview)

Chapter One

Wading in the stream in the middle of summer had to be one of the most rewarding activities known to man. Melody ensured her dress was well-tucked into the apron about her waist, but she could do nothing about her undergarments, or rather, her father’s old breeches. Melody saw no reason to waste her chemise when she was at home. It was better to keep them for special occasions than use them while going about her day. Besides, she didn’t have many good chemises left, and her uncle refused to spend money on items he believed were unnecessary. Melody found it odd that her uncle didn’t think undergarments were necessary, considering the fashion of the day afforded little coverage to women.

“When will you come out of the water, miss?” Farrow asked, her chin planted in her hands as she stared at Melody.

“In a moment,” Melody replied. “I’m enjoying the lovely coolness of the water. You should join me.”

Farrow shook her head quickly. “No, no, not me, miss. God would have given us fins and gills if we were meant to spend time in the water.”

“If we can fly through the air one day, will you say that you will not do so because God has not given us feathers to fly?”

“Precisely, although I do not believe we’ll ever take to the skies,” the lady’s maid said. “What is wrong with walking, horse riding, or travelling by carriage? Are these not good enough?”

“How hypocritical of you, Farrow.”

Farrow sat up straighter as her mouth gaped. “Hypocritical? Me?”

“Indeed. You said God would have given us fins and gills to swim and feathers to fly. Would he not have given us wheels if we were meant to ride in carriages?”

Farrow frowned. “Wheels for carriages? But that is taking it too far, miss.”

“Oh? How is it any different from what you said?”

“It just is,” the maid said stubbornly.

Melody chuckled. “That is not any way to win an argument. Has serving me taught you nothing?”

Farrow’s face took on a strained expression. “How can I win against you, miss? I know you’re right, even if I’m not sure how. You rarely argue unless you are certain of your words.”

“What use would there be to argue about something I am not sure to win?” Melody asked. “That would be ignorant of me.” She lifted a foot in the air. “My toes have reached the shrivelled prune state. I think I’m ready to come out, although it’s much better to grip the stones. I think I see an interesting-looking one.”

Melody lifted her dress a little higher, drawing a gasp from Farrow. “Miss! Your buttocks will be exposed if you go any higher.”

“But they’re covered by the breeches,” said Melody, turning her head to see what her lady’s maid was talking about.

“Yes, but you can see their shape through the material!”

“My dresses would show more if I didn’t wear a chemise,” Melody pointed out. “And should the wind blow too strongly, the dress shapes one most indecently. I appreciate that we no longer need to wear corsets, but could the creators of our fashion not have chosen something more appropriate?”

“Miss, you’re knee-deep in water wearing your father’s breeches with your dress about your waist,” said Farrow.

Melody looked down at herself and giggled. “I suppose I am rather indecent, but there is only you and me to see this.”

She bent down and picked up the stone she had noticed while wading through the water. It was partly smooth on one side and rough on the other, making an interesting texture contrast.

“I’ll add this to my collection of rocks,” she announced.

Farrow sighed. “We’ve been reduced to taking rocks from the stream instead of receiving pretty ones. This one will not complement the others at all.”

Melody had a large box filled with colourful stones from her late father. She started collecting them when she was a young girl, and her father indulged her interest by finding unique ones during his frequent travels around the continent. Her father had spent more time away from home than with his family, but he always treated Melody affectionately and showered her with praise whenever they spent time together. It had made up for her late mother’s lack of interest and affection, although Melody couldn’t rightfully say her mother was indifferent. She had simply been too preoccupied with her various ailments to worry about a growing daughter.

“We should return to the house, miss,” said Farrow. “Your uncle might be home.”

“He usually returns well after six,” Melody pointed out.

“But he has been returning earlier than usual this past week.”

“You have a point,” said Melody. “I’ll have to change and arrange my hair before he arrives. Come, the sooner we reach the house, the better. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“Miss!” Farrow exclaimed. “Did I not say you should come out of the water?”

“You asked me when I would come out; you did not say I should,” Melody said, smiling to herself. “It will be on your head if Uncle catches me like this.”

“Miss!” Farrow cried, looking near distraught with the idea.

“Oh, I am merely jesting with you,” said Melody as she climbed onto the grass. “The sun is still high in the sky, so I gather it’s around three in the afternoon.”

“Four,” Farrow argued. “The sun sets much later during summer.”

“Yes, you’re quite right. In that case, we should make haste.”

Melody shook out her dress and slipped her wet feet into her shoes. They squelched a bit and would likely smell from the dampness, but that could easily be remedied by airing them on her bedroom windowsill. Melody had the biggest bedroom in Archer Hall and had nearly lost it to her uncle when he inherited her father’s title and assets. Fortunately, Farrow had been able to convince him that rats frequently invaded the room and caused a huge mess.

Uncle will never put up with rats. He didn’t even think to see if the story was true. Farrow told him the room had giant-looking rats that once nibbled on my toes while I was asleep. Just the thought had made him choose a room far from mine.

That suited Melody just fine as her uncle wasn’t particularly kind to her. She tended to stay out of his way whenever he was around unless he summoned her to ask about her progress finding a suitor.

“Do you think I should have returned from the London Season so soon?” Melody asked as they took a shortcut to the house.

Farrow nodded solemnly. “You did your best, miss.”

Melody bit her lower lip and nodded. She had tried her best, but it had been in vain. She might as well have been a wallflower for all the good it did her in London. Just when she thought she was making headway with a gentleman, he suddenly turned against her as though she had become the plague to him. Melody grew so tired of the rejections that returning home seemed the only answer. Of course, her uncle hadn’t been too happy, but he had been so absorbed with attending to the estate’s affairs and ensuring everything was accounted for that he didn’t spend too much time scolding her.

“Do you think I might be able to skip dinner this evening?” Melody asked. “I’ll sneak into the kitchens around nine when he has retired to his rooms.”

Melody’s uncle converted four rooms into one big bedroom, complete with a personal study, parlour, and changing room with all his attire and beauty treatments in full display. It seemed strange for a man to be so preoccupied with beauty and display his clothing as though it was a seamstress’ shop.

“Hmmm,” said Farrow, her brow creasing heavily. “Although Lord Umberslade rarely talks to you during dinner, it seems he expects you to be there.”

“We’ll just tell him I have a headache,” said Melody.  

“We tried that once, miss,” Farrow reminded her. “It didn’t work too well.”

Melody sighed. “Yes, Uncle isn’t fond of excuses. If only he were a little kinder.”

She gave another heartfelt sigh and picked up her pace towards the house. Although she didn’t show it, she was a little worried her uncle had come home earlier than expected. He preferred her to keep out of his sight but grew angry if she wasn’t near enough to respond to his summons immediately. Life had undoubtedly become harder since her father died and her uncle took his place.

“Miss!” a maid cried, running from the house. “Miss!”

“Why does Mary always run as though the house is on fire?” Farrow said.

“Be kind, Farrow. She’s the type to make things seem much worse because she has an excitable temperament.”

“She needs to control herself,” Farrow insisted.

“Hush, now. She’s nearly upon us.”

“Miss!” Mary cried again, her full cheeks red with exertion.

“What is it, Mary?” Melody asked. “Catch your breath first.”

“Yes, miss,” the maid gasped. “Thank you, miss.”

Melody shook her head when she caught Farrow rolling her eyes. Her lady’s maid disliked incompetence and usually reprimanded younger and lowlier servants.

“Have you caught your breath enough to speak?” Melody asked.

“Yes, miss,” said Mary. “I came here to inform you of your uncle’s arrival. He wishes to see you.”

Melody’s eyes widened. “When did he arrive?”

“Half an hour ago, miss,” Mary replied.

“Half an hour ago, and this is the time you choose to tell us?” Farrow screeched. “Why didn’t you come looking for us as soon as you knew?”

“I, uh, I,” Mary stammered.

“Farrow,” said Melody. “I’m sure Mary has her reasons. Come, let’s not stand about arguing.”

“But what about your hair and dress, miss?” Farrow asked. “You look dishevelled.”

Melody touched her hair. “We can’t do anything about it now. Uncle will only grow agitated. I’ll accept my fate concerning my appearance.” She turned to Mary. “Where is he?”

“In Peach Blossom Parlour,” the maid answered.

“Do not let Uncle hear you say that,” Melody warned. “He has renamed all the rooms in the house. Learn their names before he removes you from the house. Peach Blossom Parlour is now called Our Great Lord Umberslade.”

Mary’s face bloomed with colour. “Yes, miss.”

Melody dismissed her and hurried to the parlour, where she found her uncle holding a hand mirror and gazing at his face.

“Uncle,” she said, clasping her hands in the doorway.

Her uncle glanced her way briefly. “Oh. So you’ve finally decided to grace me with your presence.”

“My apologies,” said Melody. “I was walking along the stream and did not realise you had returned. I would have come back much sooner.”

Her uncle pursed his lips and said nothing, pointing at a chair. Melody dutifully perched on the edge of the chair and awaited her uncle’s speech. The minutes ticked by, but he still said nothing, choosing to admire his fingernails instead. Her uncle liked to build up tension so his words could have more power and influence on the hearer.

“I cannot stand waste,” he finally began.

“Waste?” she repeated.

“Are you deaf?” her uncle snapped.

Melody startled slightly and looked down, tightly linking her hands together. Her uncle was in a bad mood, which was not good for her.

“I asked you to do one simple thing, but you failed,” he continued. “Is it so difficult to find a husband? You’re pretty enough to secure a suitor— why haven’t you done so?”

“I have tried, Uncle. I’m not certain why I keep failing.”

Her uncle’s nose flared slightly. “How is that my fault? You’re deliberately disobeying, are you not?”

Melody’s hands clenched. She still wasn’t used to her uncle’s cold manner and was a bit frightened by his ability to appear cruel to his own family. Drawing a deep breath, she told herself to calm down so she could answer her uncle, or he would continue to berate her.

“Uncle, you know I have spent the last year attending balls and parties. I cannot help it if the men choose to ignore me. What can I do short of tying them on a chair and making them pay attention to me?”

“Don’t take that tone with me, young lady,” he told her.

What tone? I’m only telling the truth! Why does this man hate me so much? Am I not his only niece?

“I did not mean any disrespect, Uncle,” she said. “I only wished to speak the truth. I do not understand why I’m ignored. I wish someone would tell me what the matter is. Do they perhaps think I’m unattractive? Or do they believe I’m unlucky?”

“Argh!” her uncle exclaimed. “When will you stop with these excuses? Just admit that you wish to live off my money!”

Melody’s eyes flashed. “I beg your pardon?”

“Do not bother to deny it.”

Melody was accomplished at controlling her emotions and appearing meek and mild on the outside, but certain things riled her up too much to ignore.

“You did nothing to earn this money, Uncle. You simply walked into the inheritance and took over everything. Where were you all these years? My father was barely in the ground when you suddenly appeared, claimed everything was yours and started trying to get rid of me.”

Melody was ready to leave her seat and point her finger at her uncle while giving him a piece of her mind, but she kept her bottom firmly planted on the chair.

“You have quite the mouth on you, Niece,” her uncle told her. “Who knew the mouse could roar?”

Melody didn’t reply. She had already said what she wanted to say.

“Anyway, I knew you’d make a mess of finding a suitor,” her uncle said. “I also doubt you’ll be able to catch a suitor’s attention at the next ball, so I’ve taken the liberty of securing you an invitation to a well-known family’s dinner a few days after the ball. Lord and Lady Hilton have shown interest in you and wish to spend some time in your company. What do you say, Niece? Have I not done a great thing?”

Melody inwardly sighed. She might as well go along with whatever her uncle had planned. Perhaps the dinner might even yield fruit.

“Will you say nothing?” her uncle asked. “Are you not happy to meet Lord Coleworth?”

“Lord Coleworth?” she said.

“Yes, Lord and Lady Hilton’s son. He’s a good match for you.”

Melody knew who that was and doubted the young man would wish to meet with her, but it would be better if her uncle found that out for himself. Lord Coleworth had undoubtedly heard of her bad luck and was just as resistant to meet with her as she was to attend the dinner. No man wished to be with her, after all. She was a cursed woman who didn’t even know what she had done wrong.

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“The Earl who Saved her” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Recently orphaned Melody Archer needs to find a suitor and wed quickly to escape her tyrannical uncle. However, she faces rejection at every turn, as if the ton knows something she does not. While being ostracised at yet another ball, Melody meets a handsome young man who does the unthinkable: he asks to dance with her. Taken aback, she agrees and is surprised that after years of being shunned, she finally finds someone who sees deep into her soul…
 
However, as a social outcast, she cannot risk letting her guard down…
 
Charles Bouverie, Earl of Radnor, feels the weight of his title every day, and finally decides to defy his family by choosing Melody. Her special company makes him wonder what could make society turn against such a sweet woman; when he eventually finds out about her father’s scandalous past, it does nothing to deter him from pursuing her. Charles is willing to stand against his family and society to be with Melody, even though the obstacles are never-ending.
 
Will the pressure wear him down and make him question his future with her?
 
Melody goes from being rejected by society, to being adored by an Earl, and Charles finally meets someone who adds colour to his life. Their love grows more with each passing day, but are they strong enough to abandon their past lives and pursue a future together? Will the pressure of being eternal outcasts get to them or will their love prevail over each and every threat?

“The Earl who Saved her” is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!