Miss Merton's Last Hope Read Online Free PDF Page A

your feelings were by her passing, Imogen would understand. Andy was a kind woman and she spoiled you as if you were her own daughter.”
    “She was the only one who ever loved me.”
    “Everyone loved you,” he insisted. “You should tell your brother what happened with Andy. He needs to understand why you spurn your suitors and don’t like to be touched. He could help you overcome your fear.”
    “Perhaps one day, but I don’t think now is the time. He’s likely to be more concerned with smoothing over this latest curfuffle with Mr. Radley than digging up the past when it no longer matters to anyone but me.”
    “Oh, Melanie. Radley can go to hell before I’d ever place his happiness above yours.”
    Valentine’s voice jerked Melanie away from Walter and her gaze darted to the door where Valentine stood, tears slipping down his cheeks. “There’s nothing more important than you.”
    Walter glanced away to pretend he’d not seen his friend’s raw emotions.
    “I did not know you had come back.”
    Melanie’s usually firm voice trembled and Walter wanted nothing more than to reach for her hand again but couldn’t. However, he was glad Valentine had eavesdropped. It was important that he know what drove his sister to the extreme desire to be proper every moment of her day. She was not the heartless tease Linus claimed. She was not cold, nor unfeeling. She was in many ways still that little girl and clearly still grieving for the mother she never really had.
    “That was intentional, and I am glad I waited to hear it all before interrupting what on first glance seemed an entirely different situation.” Valentine sent a pointed glance his way and stepped toward his sister. He tilted her face to his, his touch gentle and slow, and wiped away another of her tears. “You should have told me long ago about Andy. We could have talked about it and maybe things could have been easier for you.”
    Melanie said nothing to that and he appreciated that Val didn’t push her to agree with him. It was time for Melanie to stop pretending everything was all right.
    He glanced at the doorway to find Julia standing there frozen, just out of Melanie’s line of sight. Her face was contorted with upset. She slipped her hand over her mouth and edged away silently. Walter applauded her decision because he didn’t believe Melanie would appreciate the fuss. Not everyone was lucky enough to have the warm and loving childhood they’d experienced.
    He glanced back at Valentine in time to see him raise his arms to embrace Melanie then think better of it. He patted her shoulder instead. “I was coming to tell you that Julia and I could not find her brother and we’ve decided not to bother. He was rude to you in a way that is unforgivable. I held back out of concern for Julia’s feelings for him, but as it happens, she rather wished she’d had a chance to thump him as our Walter here did on your behalf.”
    Walter laughed and earned a disapproving frown from Melanie. It had been a rash act on his part but entirely satisfying. He flexed his fingers, noticing a slight ache in them.
    “I don’t need to be cossetted, Valentine, nor to have my spurned suitors beaten up by interfering neighbors.” Melanie straightened her spine, once again trying to appear unaffected. Walter saw through the act. “This thing with Mr. Radley will blow over in time and as to Andy, it was a long time ago.”
    “But not for me. We have a great deal to talk about. You were not the only one who loved Andy. I missed her too. She was the only one we had when we were young. We should have talked about her instead of pretending we didn’t miss her.”
    Melanie nodded slowly, though she didn’t seem altogether pleased. “If you wish.”
    Walter took that as his cue to make himself scarce. “I’ll be on my way.”
    Valentine faced him. “I would appreciate your discretion.”
    “You don’t even have to ask.” He nodded to Melanie. “Good day, Miss