“Enjoyed it? I was utterly captivated,” he said, taking a step closer. The air crackled with an undeniable tension as their eyes locked. “Your passion for music shines through beautifully.”
Her heart fluttered at his words. “I was just hoping to do justice to the piece,” she said, a hint of shyness creeping in.
“You did far more than that,” he said, leaning closer. “You revealed your very soul through your performance. It was the ultimate gift.”
Lady Elaine’s cheeks burned as she searched for words. “I only hope it resonated with you,” she murmured. She didn’t seem to know where to look. Her cheeks were so hot that she wanted to look away but his gaze held her captive.
“It did, more than you know,” he replied, a teasing glint in his eye. “Perhaps you would allow me the honour of hearing more? Perhaps when there are not so many ears?”
The prospect thrilled her, but it was the way he looked at her that made her pulse quicken. “Does having other ears make my music less enjoyable to listen to, Your Grace?”
“Hardly so. I simply do not wish to compete with others hoping to shower their praises, though you deserve it tenfold.”
“Perhaps I would have liked those praises,” she countered, a hint of mischief in her tone.
“I shall be those voices then. As many as you need. I shall tell you all the beautiful things you would like to hear.”
If she had fainted at that moment, her smile would have remained fixed on her face. Elaine couldn't believe how quickly she’d let herself be drawn into him again. She’d told herself that she would be more aloof. A man like him was bound to break her heart if she was not careful and she would have no one to blame but herself.
But it was impossible. Not when he was smiling at her like that. Not when they were standing so close she could feel the brush of his breath against her nose. Not when his eyes kept lowering to her lips as if he was thinking the same thing as her.
“I would love that,” she managed, meeting his gaze with newfound boldness.
“Then it’s settled,” he said, a smile lighting up his face. “Until then, I shall be thinking of your enchanting melody. Ihope you do not mind if I remain with you for the rest of the performances?”
Elaine shook her head. Good grief, she really ought to learn how not to smile at him like a complete sap. “I do not mind, Your Grace. But what of your sister?”
“I do not know where she has disappeared to. She left my side the moment we stepped through the door. Perhaps she has found my aunt and uncle. They are also in attendance, though we arrived separately.”
Elaine didn’t bother to point out that she might know where his sister was. She didn’t get the chance anyway when the next performer began approaching the dais. A hush fell over the guests.
Candlelight flickered softly as Lady Madeline sat at the stool of the pianoforte with her violin in hand. She looked a little anxious but then she closed her eyes, set her shoulders, and then began to play.
“Oh, good Lord,” the duke murmured.
Elaine fought her laughter behind her gloved hand. She tried feigning interest in the performance but her attention was wholly on his mischievous smirk.
“Is that a cat or a violin?” he whispered, leaning closer, his eyes dancing with mischief as the poor violinist struggled through a difficult passage. Elaine bit her lip to maintain her composure.
“Your Grace,” she whispered back, trying to sound stern, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “She is doing her best.”
“Ah, but a fine effort does not make a fine performance,” he replied, his voice low. “If I had a shilling for every off note, I could buy my way to the next soirée.”
Elaine couldn’t help but snort at his jest, glancing around to ensure they remained unnoticed. Her heart raced, exhilaratedeven though she felt a little bad. Lady Madeline winced every time she made a mistake as if she was suffering as much as her violin was.
“You are terrible!” whispered Elaine, though her laughter betrayed her.
“Terrible? Or simply honest?” he quipped, raising an eyebrow. “One must find amusement where they can, especially amid such earnest endeavours.”
She shook her head, biting back her laughter. “You are incorrigible, Your Grace! We should be supporting our fellow musicians.”
“Support can be shown in many ways,” he replied, feigning solemnity. “For example, I could support them from a distance—preferably outside.”
Before she could respond, the Marquess of Grovington and Lady Isabella approached. Elaine’s smile faltered, the humour draining from her expression as she faced the marquess and his daughter. Lord Gorvington ran his gaze down the length of her with a hint of pompousness and had the gall to look a little confused at her presence as if he couldn’t understand what the likes of her were doing here. Elaine tried not to cower in his presence.
Lady Isabella didn’t make her feel any better. She wore a friendly smile but her attention was focused entirely on the duke, ignoring Elaine completely.
“Your Grace,” Lord Grovington greeted with a nod. “My lady. What delightful conversation you two must be having.”
