“I have no reason to smile. And you have not answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Are you looking for someone?”
Elaine gave herself a moment to think about it before she shook her head. “I am not.”
Technically speaking, shewaswaiting for someone. There was no need to look when she knew the duke was not here. She’d taken notice of that before James’ approach. Now she couldn’t help but stare at the door, willing him to step through.
At that very moment, the duke appeared.
Elaine sucked in a silent breath at the sight of him. Her memory of him did not serve his handsomeness justice. His presence was an imposing one, his demeanour so powerful that she felt drawn to his side. Elaine clasped her hand behind her back, watching as he greeted her aunt and even managed to look polite and pleasant while doing it. A far cry from the broad smile and small embrace given Clarissa, at the duke’s side. Elaine was just as happy to see her. At least there was a friendly face present.
Elaine realised a moment too late that she had been staring. She looked at James, fearing he might have noticed her lapse.
But his attention was on the door as well. And his expression was…soft. Which was rather odd. Elaine didn’t think she’d ever seen him look so pleased before.
Elaine frowned slightly as she followed his gaze. The Marquess of Grovington and Lady Isabella were now greeting her aunt. Surely he wasn’t staring at Lady Isabella like that?
No, she realised with a start. His eyes were following someone. It was almost as if he was staring at Clarissa instead.
“James?”
“I shall be one moment,” he said absently before drifting away.
Elaine watched in wide-eyed fascination as her astute and serious cousin took Clarissa by her hand and kissed the back of it. If the blush on her face wasn’t any indication of how enamoured they were with each other, the broad smile on James’ face was.
“Elaine!”
She jolted at the call of her name, her aunt suddenly by her side.
“It is almost time,” Lorna told her. “Smile. Smile!”
Elaine could only manage a small grimace as her aunt raced away to stand in the centre of the room. She’d ensured that a wide makeshift dais had been erected for the purpose of the performances, which could easily be removed for later. Standing there, Lorna commanded the attention of everyone in the room with ease.
“Greetings, everyone,” she began. “And thank you for attending. I shan’t keep you for too long because I know you are all eager to lay witness to the immeasurable performances we shall have tonight. So, without further ado, I introduce my dear niece, Lady Elaine!”
She clapped and a pitiful round of applause sounded in her wake. Heart thudding against her chest, Elaine made her way up to the dais where her pianoforte had already been stationed. She didn’t want to look at anyone in the sea of guests, wanting to pretend that they were not there and she was in her drawing room playing to her heart’s content. But she could not help looking for the duke.
She found him immediately, eyes intent on her. He stood alone, to the back, arms crossed. When their eyes locked, she could have sworn something thudded into place. A piece of her heart that she hadn’t realised she had been missing.
The duke’s eyes softened. Slowly, he nodded in encouragement.
Elaine could have taken on the entire world after that.
She hid her smile and faced the keys. It was so easy, she thought, as she began playing. She did not have to look at her notes or worry about accidentally striking the wrong key. All she had to do was relax and let the music take her over.
She lost herself in the performance, almost forgetting the audience, the world narrowing to just her and the instrument. Just her, the pianoforte, and the duke. Whenever her gaze flickered to him, she felt a rush of warmth. His magnetic presence pulled her deeper into the performance, urging her to pour her heart into the music with the hopes that she may capture his attention, not just as a musician but as a woman.
As the piece approached its ending, Elaine held her breath. She couldn’t help glancing at him once more and saw when he leaned closer as if he were fighting the pull of the music. Was she truly captivating him? The thought fueled her, propelling her to deliver the climax with a fervour she hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
At last, the last note hung in the air, and silence enveloped the room. Elaine held her breath. Had she done so terribly? It had felt like her best playing to date.
Sudden applause erupted like cannon fire, startling her and sending a thrill coursing through her very being. A smile stretched across her face, breathless, her heart still racing. She rose from the pianoforte with her cheeks flushed and tried not to look at the duke again, not wanting to seem too overeager. But as she descended from the stage, she noticed the duke making his way to her.
“Lady Elaine,” he began, his voice smooth and warm, “that was simply enchanting. You have an extraordinary talent.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she replied, her voice slightly breathless. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
