Emily lowered her eyes at such a profuse compliment, but replied, “Thank you, Mark. It means a lot to me to bewelcomed.”
Then Mark took her hand and said, “That Father passed while you were playing for him was such a great gift and we are forever grateful to you for thatgesture.”
Alice then laid her hand on Mark’s arm. “Brother, as Chester and I brought Emily with us, and since we are to stay the night, I have invited Emily to remain with us. She can have her room from the weekend. Would that be aninconvenience?”
Mark and Emily’s eyes locked for a brief moment. There was a hint of panic in Mark’s eyes, but he responded, “Of course, she must stay.” Then he addressed Emily, “Unless you desire to return and then I know one of our guests would be happy to escort you home. However, because many of our friends have come a great distance to be at the funeral, quite a few are also staying thenight.”
Again, their eyes locked and Emily felt torn. She wanted to stay but was uncertain how Mark might react if she did stay. While Mark’s gaze registered panic, it also contained a hint of desire and a plea for her toremain.
Then quietly Emily nodded. “If I can help in any way, I would be happy tostay.”
Mark beamed, and said, “Perhaps you might play just a little after supper. I know Grandmamma would be sopleased.”
Then Emily smiled at the thought of being useful. “Oh, I should like that very much. Are there any piano pieces that are herfavorites?”
Alice suggested a few and Emily was pleased to be able to perform those for her. She then turned to Mark, “And do you have anyfavorites?”
Mark smiled and playfully pinched his sister’s arm. “I would love to hear that new piece by Reginald Blake. Have you learned ityet?”
Emily smiled. “Not yet, but there is the piece I performed previously, if that will suityou?”
“I think we can make do withthat.”
Chapter 31
Mark could not help but contrast the joyous exuberance of the musical weekend, not long past, to the subdued evening after the funeral. The few guests, who were staying the night, congregated, after a quiet supper filled with reminiscences of the old duke, in the tapestry parlor to hear Emily play a few subdued and appropriately solemnpieces.
Grandmamma was seated in one of her favorite chairs to Mark’s left and Alice and Chester were to his right. Sophie was seated in a chair just barely wedged in between Mark and his grandmother. Mark glanced at Silas, who was seated further away with a young lady who Mark noted Silas was cozying up to duringsupper.
Mark thought back to his encounter with Silas earlier that evening when he interrupted Silas’s march toward Emily andAlice.
“Have you not done enough damage?” Mark had asked, taking hold of his uncle’s shoulder. “I am telling you, unequivocally, to leave Miss Emilyalone.”
“I am just going over to say hello,” Silas said, pulling away from Mark’s grasp. “And how dare you presume to lectureme.”
“I presume because you disgraced yourself in your detestable ploy to damage Miss Emily’s budding career. That stunt you pulled with Mr. Butler, I shall never forgive—a slander of Miss Emily and a grave affront tome.”
Silas shuffled and momentarily looked away, but then said, “I made amends with the notice in TheTimes.”
“But have you gone and personally recanted your slander to Mr. Butler as Aliceinsisted?”
“I am getting around to it. Perhaps nextweek.”
“Not perhaps—definitely. Before any more damage is done to Miss Emily’sreputation.”
Silas looked over at Alice and Emily and scowled, but turned back to Mark and said, “I may have made a mistake with that move—I admit that. But you may not prevent me from pursuing Miss Emilyromantically.”
“Uncle, has she not made it abundantly clear, that she has no interest, whatsoever, in accepting yoursuit?”
Silas smiled, “Oh, Mark, you know women, always playing coy and never meaning what theysay.”
“In this case, Uncle, you had better believe it. She has told me herself, that she is horrified at your advances. Leave off pursuing her or experience the full force of my wrath—which would include permanent banishment from thisfamily.”
Silas said nothing but gave Mark a sly smile. “Oh, Your Grace, I would never do anything that would jeopardize my position in this precious family.” And with that, he turned and left theroom.
As Mark now watched Silas engaged in conversation with this new young lady throughout the evening, he began to think that his uncle had taken his scolding to heart and Mark turned his attention back to his grievinggrandmother.
When Emily had finished playing, she was greeted by a number of appreciative guests thanking her and eventually found her way over to thefamily.
