A Red Rose

"Mother! This place is so beautiful. Your little house is prettier than ours!" William curiously walked around the place while checking it out. 

"Melissa, how are you?" Duke Kensington took her hand and kissed it. 

"I'm fine Your Grace. Thank you for visiting me today with William." Melissa said, smiling brightly at him.

In fact, if he's allowed to, he would have come sooner, however Melissa had sent a reply saying she's not available these few days. The moment she said yes, he had rushed over with William. Since the day they parted at the palace, Duke Kensington was constantly thinking about her, wondering how she's been, what she's been doing, whether she's also been thinking about him. However, facing her now, he could not directly tell her all that, so he could only nod, acknowledging her gratitude. 

"Please call me Zachary." He reminded her.

"Is this your new art space? It looks decent." Duke Kensington scanned the place and finally his gaze landed on the painting she's working on. 

His eyebrows furrowed and he walked over to look at it closely. 

"Did you paint this?" Duke Kensington finally averted his gaze and looked at Melissa in surprise. 

"Yes, do you like it?" Melissa was feeling quite proud at the moment. To be able to get this proud man to have a surprise look on his face was indeed priceless. 

"It's amazing. So, you're not bluffing." Duke Kensington said with a teasing voice. 

"Hmmph!" Melissa pouted her lips, feeling annoyed. 

"Who's this piece for, Mother? Is it for me??" Lord William, who had come over to also look at the painting, asked with curiosity. Duke Kensington also looked expectantly at Melissa.

"It's mine!" A loud voice rang out and all three of them turned to see the incoming person. 

"Of course my sister has painted this for me." Lord Melvin said mockingly, all the while looking at Lord William. 'Aah, my enemy has invaded my territory, at last. See how I defeat you, you brat.'

"Mother....is it true?" Lord William immediately hugged Melissa's leg and looked up with his big eyes.

"Yes, William. This is for Melvin. He likes horses. I will paint something that you like, alright?" Melissa consoled the young boy. 

"So the next one, will it be for me?" Lord William pressed on. 

"Yes, you just need to tell me what's your most favourite thing." Melissa chuckled while rubbing his soft hair.

"Your Grace, how do you do?" Lord Melvin greeted the Duke. 

"I'm doing fine, Melvin." The Duke reciprocated. His eyes suddenly caught sight of the box in Lord Melvin's hands, prompting the man to remember his purpose of coming over.

"Ah yes, Melissa, this came for you. That insolent boy dared to ask for you personally. But I kicked him out!" Lord Melvin recounted the unpleasant incident this morning. 

Melissa took the box and muttered under her breath, "Another one?"

Duke Kensington heard her soft voice and immediately raised his eyebrows in puzzle. 

"Who is it from, Mel?" As usual, curiosity got hold of Lord Melvin, especially in matters concerning his sister.

"I'm not sure." Melissa said softly. The parcel seemed light, as the one before.

Under the probing eyes of the three people in front of her, Melissa opened the box and saw a silk handkerchief with the most exquisite embroidered pattern she had ever seen. Not that she had seen that many, but she was gifted an embroidered shawl once, and she had thought that was pretty. But the embroidery on this delicate silk handkerchief took her breath away. It was a picture of a red rose with a golden stalk instead of green. Upon close scrutiny, Melissa gasped. It was really done using golden thread! Her hands trembled slightly while caressing the exquisite red rose. 

Duke Kensington's gaze darkened at the sight of the silk handkerchief. Lord Melvin, had also gone silent, as if thinking of something. 

Melissa was oblivious to the unusual reactions of the two grown men. "Mother, there's a card inside." Young William suddenly pointed out.

Melissa looked again and indeed, there's a card. She took it out and open it. Inside, the same beautiful penmanship from before had written one of the most beautiful poems Melissa had ever read.

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is like the melody

That's sweetly played in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun;

I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my luve,

Though it were ten thousand mile.

The previous initial BB wasn't stated on the card, but judging from the same handwriting, it's from the same person. Melissa had read this poem before. Master Graden had a collection of poetry books in his home library and she had read them during her free time.

The poem was titled, "A Red, Red Rose" composed by Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. It described the poet's deep love for his beloved and promised that his love would last longer than human life and even the planet itself, remaining fresh and constant forever. The words were so moving and Melissa felt her heart warmed instantly. 

Lord Melvin cautiously took the card from his sister's hand, and he read it together with Duke Kensington. Both men had an unreadable expression on their face and turned to look at each other. Lord Melvin raised his eyebrows, as if asking for a confirmation and Duke Kensington silently nodded his head. Seeing the other man's affirmation, Lord Melvin's face reddened in an instant, full of anger. He was about to say something when Duke Kensington held his arm, prompting Lord Melvin to look at him furiously. Duke Kensington merely shook his head, indicating him not to react. 

Lord Melvin took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. Not wanting to show his ugly side to his sister, he shoved the card to Duke Kensington and immediately stormed off. 

Melissa was still preoccupied with the poem and didn't notice her brother's sudden departure. She came to when Duke Kensington's hand touched her arm, handing the card over to her. She smiled and took the card, put it back in the box together with the silk handkerchief and carefully stored it on the shelf. 

"Have you received something like this before?" Duke Kensington asked her, feigning indifference. 

"Yes, a few days ago. It was a red rose and a congratulatory card." Melissa answered truthfully. 

"I see." Duke Kensington replied nonchalantly.

"Father, you should also give something to Mother. You can't lose!" The innocent's voice would always speak the most ridiculous, yet the most honest statement in the most unsuitable occasion.

Duke Kensington could feel his ears burned and he coughed to hide his embarrassment. No matter what, his son was right. This 'stranger' had actually presented two memorable gifts to Melissa, but his own attempt to give her a bouquet of white roses had failed miserably. 

Melissa laughed and replied to Lord William, "William, this is just someone's prank on your mother. Don't take it seriously." 

Duke Kensington pinched his forehead and thought inwardly, 'Is it really a prank? Looks like that person is seriously out to get her.' 

The mood during lunch was sombre, with both Duke Kensington and Lord Melvin deep in their own thoughts. Only Melissa and Lord William chatted happily while thoroughly enjoying their meal. After lunch, the Kensingtons prepared to leave when Duke Malcom arrived home to get his daughter. Looking at Melissa getting ready to go out, both Duke Kensington and Lord Melvin asked at the same time, "Where're you going?" 

Melissa halted her steps and looked at the two men quizzically. Even Duke Malcom who had stepped out of the carriage looked at them. 

"I'm bringing Melissa to see some buildings for her art gallery." Duke Malcom explained. 

Duke Kensington immediately looked at Melissa and said, "I told you I will help you in this matter."

Duke Malcom laughed and replied, "Zachary, as long as Melissa is still living under my roof, she's my responsibility. Don't worry about it. You will have plenty of chances in the future to pamper her. For now, she has my full support." 

Duke Kensington couldn't refute this fact. Indeed, she's not his wife yet and he would have ample opportunities in the future once she's his. He merely nodded. 

Suddenly, Lord Melvin said anxiously, "Father, I'm going with you two. Just in case.." He left the sentence hanging. 

"Just in case what? Brother, you're acting strange." Melissa couldn't help wondering. 

"You'll never know who might appear and disturb your peace. I'll be able to protect you then." Lord Melvin declared. 

"Indeed Melvin, I really think you need some medication. You've been acting out of character lately. Anyway, let's go." Duke Malcom's impatience towards his son was apparent for all to see. 

"I'll come and have a look too after I drop William off at home." This statement caused everyone to pause and look at Duke Kensington. Feeling embarrassed being put under scrutiny, he continued, "Just in case." 

Duke Malcom shook his head and got on the carriage. Lord Melvin rolled his eyes at Duke Kensington and helped his sister got on the carriage. 

'It's just checking out some shops, must I have an entourage? This is so embarrassing.' Melissa groaned inwardly.