I am also writing to Alice and I have asked her to contact Mr. Butler and straighten out the mess that Silas made for you. She is very adept at dealing with difficult situations—after all she has twinboys!
You shall be hearing from Alice shortly and you may ask her any questions you mighthave.
And thus, I send you my deepest and enduringlove.
Your EverDevoted
Mark
Emily immediately wrote a reply, giving Mark full power to take care of business for her in Germany—knowing he would have her best interests inmind.
Emily posted the letter so that he would receive it before he left for Germany and realized that, with the funeral and the proposal and Ruth’s upcoming wedding, she had not practiced for more than four days. It was time to start upagain.
She practiced hard all morning, and after a brief lunch, started up again and continued the rest of the afternoon. She was shocked to see how much the dexterity in her fingers had decreased with just a few days ofneglect.
During a tea break, the afternoon post arrived, and there was a letter from Alice, inviting her to visit the next morning to discuss her bridal gown (which Alice had been tasked by the Duchess to help provide) and to visit about what Alice had accomplished in her meeting with Mr.Butler.
Most encouraging,Emilythought.
* * *
Alice’s invitation was set for ten o’clock and Emily was careful to arrive on time, as she did not want to inconvenience Alice, who was as busy with her own work as Emily was withhers.
This is the first time Emily had seen Alice since Emily had become engaged to her brother and, as Emily entered the sitting room, Alice screeched and ran to Emily, throwing her arms aroundher.
“Now we shall truly be sisters,” she said, as she released Emily, who had dropped her handbag in the enthusiastic embrace. “I am so very happy for you. And to tell you a little secret,” she said as she linked her arm with Emily and led her to the sofa. “I always suspected you two would make the perfect couple, and you see how right I have beenproved.”
They sat down and just stared each other with large grins. They were so happy they could only leave their joyunspoken.
Then Alice broke their trance saying, “First, a report on my meeting with Mr.Butler.”
“Why must I even deal with the gentleman? He was so dismissive of me and never let me defend myself. How can I ever work with him?” Emilyasked.
Alice raised her hand in a gesture of caution. “It seems that Silas did go to see him and explained the entire episode. And Mr. Butler was so ashamed of himself, he pleaded with me to bring you to him as soon as possible so that he might make amends. In fact, he is putting together a nice limited UK touring schedule for you for this upcoming season. However, you may not be able to accept all the dates, as a few fall close to your wedding date.” She leaned forward and whispered, “And I am certain Mark wants to take you on a splendid and extended honeymoon. But do not tell him I toldyou.”
Emily both smiled and blushed. “Then I shall be happy to meet Mr. Butler again. And might you be able to accompanyme?”
“Ofcourse.”
“It is just that I worry about taking too much time away from your… pardon me, Mr. Blake’s composing,” she said with asmile.
“My dear, I think we can dispense with the fiction of Mr. Blake between us now, think younot?”
Emily nodded. “Yes, but the ruse was such fun. Then may I useyourname, instead of Mr. Blake’s, when I premiere the piece you gave me for mytour?”
Alice hesitated, but then said, “Why not? How appropriate to have a female pianist play a work by a female composer. Times are changing, are theynot?”
“It would appear to beso.”
“Now then, to the second important item—your bridal gown. Grandmamma has asked me to help with the design and construction of your wedding dress. Of course, I want it to be entirely to your taste, but I know the very best designer, and together we can make you the most beautiful bride of the fallseason.”
“I should like that very much. On my own I would have no idea where to go or what would be appropriate for a ducalwedding.”
“Excellent. I have set up an appointment in an hour for us to meet with the designer. Measurements must be taken. Then a spot of lunch at Russets, and we have a two o’clock appointment with Mr. Butler. Does that suityou?”
“Most assuredly,” Emilyagreed.
For a moment, Alice just stared at Emily with such a look of affection, and then asked, “Tell me, how did Mark propose toyou?”
