Mother came into the salon where Emily waspracticing.
“A hand-delivered letter just came for your father, but he is at the shop. The gentleman who delivered it is waiting for a reply. Do you think I should send the messenger to the shop? It seems to beurgent.
“Did the gentleman say who it is from?” Emilyasked.
Mother turned the letter over and looked at the address on the back. “It is from a Silas Skeffington. Is he not the gentleman that was at the meeting with you at LinfieldHall?”
“Yes. And he said before we left that he might call on us with some suggestions about the trio. It, indeed, must be urgent. Let me open it. Papa will notmind.”
Mother handed Emily the letter. She openedit.
Dear Mr.Dunn,
Might it be possible for us to meet at two o’clock this afternoon at your residence? I have a most interesting proposal which I believe will be of great interest and benefit to your family. It concerns the development and promotion of the Dunntrio.
If you would be so kind as to reply immediately, I shall be happy to meet you later thisafternoon.
With BestRegards,
SilasSkeffington
P.S.
And, if convenient, I should like the trio to be in attendance, as well, as this business directly concerns theirfuture.
“Oh, I know Papa will want to attend this meeting. I shall reply in the affirmative and then run over to the shop to show him theletter.”
“If you say so. I do not know. This is all far too complicated for me,” Mother said as shedisappeared.
Emily went to the desk and wrote out a quick note to Silas accepting the appointment. Then she gave it to the waiting messenger, and put on her shawl, and headed to her father’sshop.
* * *
The three sisters were eagerly awaiting Mr. Skeffington’s arrival. Papa paced the room, concerned about what the proposal might be. Emily was also quite nervous, as she had not yet had the courage to tell her father about the Duke’s insistence she develops a solocareer.
“This could be the making of you all,” Papa said, “With the help of someone like His Grace and this Mr. Skeffington, we might be poised for great things, my darlingdaughters.”
Giles rushed into the parlor, out of breath and wiping his brow with a large handkerchief. “I got your message, Emily. I am happy I was able to get away for this meeting. It sounds to be mostpropitious.”
Mother hurried in with a tray with a decanter of sherry and glasses. “Oh, he is not here yet. I thought if there is good news you gentlemen might like to make atoast.”
“And we ladies?” Emily asked. “Might we not like to toast aswell?”
Mother looked askance. “Well, if youmust.”
Molly appeared at the parlor door. “There is a gentleman to see you, Mr. Dunn. Says he is Mister SilasSkeffington.”
“Please show him in,Molly.”
“Yes,sir.”
Shortly Silas appeared at the door. “Good afternoon, ladies andgentlemen.”
“Come, sit with us,” Mr. Dunn said, indicating a chair next tohim.
Silas went over but remained standing as Father sat. “Thank you all for being here. Good afternoon, Mr. Carter, I am happy to see you here as well.” He turned to the daughters. “And good day toyou.”
Silas stood for a moment gathering his thoughts and then began. “First of all, His Grace sends his best regards.” He then addressed Emily, “As does Her Grace, the Duchess. She asked particularly to be remembered toyou.”
