Graden-Hall Art Gallery (4)

Both the husband and wife were startled at this sudden intrusion. They turned and saw who it was.

"Oh, Lord Benjamin, how are you?" Baron Randell greeted him. However, the older man didn't look too happy with Lord Benjamin's comments. 

"I'm fine, until I heard some ridiculous remarks by some people who're unaware of their status." Lord Benjamin smiled at Baron Randell with a knowing look.

Baron Randell sighed and looked at his wife. He looked at Melissa and smile apologetically at her. 

"My dear, regardless of who you choose, I really like you. We don't have a daughter, Harry's our only one. If you don't mind, you can come and visit this old lady anytime you like. I hear you embroider very well, we can exchange points about that." Baroness Ellie said while holding Melissa's hands. 

Melissa knew this older couple didn't mean any harm. She nodded her head and smile at the woman. Baroness Ellie patted her hands before leaving. 

"Why did you say that to them? It's not nice Benjamin." Melissa reprimanded Lord Benjamin once they're alone. 

"Why? Some people should know their place. Marriage is not a simple thing, Melissa. If you choose someone of lower class or status than you, eventually your marriage will suffer. The inequality between the husband and wife, will cause the other party who's of lower status to feel inferior, no matter how great the love is between them. Society will not let you forget that." Lord Benjamin lectured Melissa on her naivety. 

Melissa sighed and touched her forehead. Things were simpler in the modern days, no one cares who you marry. Furthermore, what Lord Benjamin said had touched a raw spot in Melissa, who had originally come from an unknown origin, being abandoned by her parents at the orphanage. So is she of lower status in his eyes, if she was born in this era in such circumstances? 

"Benjamin, regardless of status, power and wealth, it's the person's characteristics that matters the most. What's the point of marrying someone from the same rank when your spouse's character is flawed in the first place? The marriage will be disastrous in the end." Melissa countered his lecture. 

"Character huh? Well, are you saying that you're willing to marry, say a poor but honest man, than a rich and noble born who can give you luxurious life?" Lord Benjamin asked, surprised at her reply.

"I'm not pretentious. If the rich and noble born possesses good qualities as a husband, naturally I will choose him." Melissa said sincerely. 

"I see. What if the character is flawed but that person is willing to change because he loves you?" Lord Benjamin asked tentatively. 

"If I love him, maybe I will choose him. If I don't love him, I won't choose him." Melissa pondered aloud.

"Why? He's willing to change for you. Shouldn't you give him benefit of the doubt?" Lord Benjamin said softly. 

"If there's love, naturally you're willing to gamble your life with the person you love. But if there's no love, why would anyone take the risk?" Melissa said while looking at Lord Benjamin. 

"Is love important to you in a marriage, Melissa?" Suddenly Lord Benjamin asked her. 

Melissa closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened her eyes, Lord Benjamin was staring at her intently. 

"No. I don't believe in love." Melissa declared resolutely.

"But what you said earlier..." Lord Benjamin queried, confused by her stance.

"That's theoretically speaking. It's all 'what ifs'. It'll be good if I can enjoy my life peacefully on my own, drawing and painting. I think I'm suited to be an old spinster!" Melissa laughed melodiously at her own remark, prompting Lord Benjamin to smile as well. 

"You won't. You'll be a wonderful wife and mother, Melissa. I've no doubt about that." Lord Benjamin said gently. 

Melissa led them to a nearby sitting area and sat down. Lord Benjamin suddenly remembered his purpose earlier and said to her, "Melissa, I think you already knew that my sister, Anastasia doesn't like you. She's full of tricks towards the people she dislike. Just be careful."

Melissa was surprised. Lord Benjamin actually cautioned her about his own sister?

"I will. Thank you for the reminder." Melissa appreciated his kind words.

"No worries. My sister wasn't like this before. She changed after she fell in love with the Prince. She thinks everyone who's close enough with the Prince as a threat. I do apologize for her rude behaviour towards you in the past." Lord Benjamin's face was indeed regretful.

"Love makes people go crazy I guess, in a good and bad way. You're a good brother, Benjamin." Melissa said and patted his shoulder in consolation. 

Unaware that their closeness had somehow attracted the attention of people around them, Lord Benjamin and Melissa carried on chatting like old friends, without caring about others. 

Two pairs of eyes looked at the pair in front of them, both sporting the same annoyed look, especially when they saw Melissa patted the other man shoulder intimately. 

"I thought you're supposed to stay with her. Where did you go?" Lord Melvin shot a glare at Duke Kensington.

"I was with William. I thought you're going to do that, since you've been circling around her ever since I came in!" Duke Kensington said accusingly at this hopeless friend of his.

"Look at the shameless guy. Do you think he will do something to her?" Lord Melvin said worriedly.

"No, he won't." Duke Kensington replied.

"But why is he getting close to Melissa then? What does he want?" Puzzled, Lord Melvin asked the other man.

"He wants her as his wife!" With that said, Duke Kensington strode over to where the couple was sitting. 

Seeing his arrival, Melissa smiled at him and offered him a seat. Soon, Lord Melvin came too and shamelessly sat in between Melissa and Lord Benjamin. 

"So, Benjamin, who's your latest quest?" Lord Melvin asked innocently, drawing a frown from the other man.

"What do you mean?" Lord Benjamin's face darkened.

"You're always with different women all the time, I've lost count. Who's your latest one again? It seemed to be Lady Violet? Or is it Lady Kelly?" Lord Melvin asked again. 

"I'm not with anyone at the moment. In fact, I'm seriously pursuing a kind hearted and gentle woman, hoping for her to be my wife." Lord Benjamin said, while looking at Melissa. 

Shameless! Lord Melvin was dissatisfied. He wanted to expose this guy!

"Really? You've finally repented I see. But are you sure one woman can satisfy you? You've been so used to having multiple partners all the time. Old habits die hard, they say." Lord Melvin smiled mockingly. 

Suddenly a big hand reached out from behind and smacked Lord Melvin's head. Lord Melvin instinctively turned and wanted to punch the unknown assailant. However, in the next moment, Duke Malcom's angry face caused him to lower his eyes.

"What nonsense are you spouting in front of your sister??!" Duke Malcom bellowed at his son. 

Lord Melvin averted his gaze and finally said dejectedly, "I'm going home! Melissa, are you coming?"

"You're joking right? This is her gallery and it's opening day. What do you think people will say if she leaves?" Once again, Duke Malcom said angrily. 

Lord Melvin slapped his forehead, completely forgetting this fact. He looked sheepishly at Melissa and said, "Sorry Mel. I shouldn't have said those things in front of you. But it's the truth!" After he said that, he quickly dodged his father's hand and ran away.