“I have been thinking about it,” Giles said, “and I thought I might visit Mr. Skeffington and see what other options might be available. With your permission, ofcourse.”
Emily nodded. “Please, do what you can. I am desperate to moveforward.”
Giles took her by both shoulders and looked at her with sympathetic eyes. “I shall. Now, off you go. Have tea with your new friend. You need to enjoy yourself a little now and then. And he is a very handsome young man, is henot?”
“And talented from the little I heard,” Emilyanswered.
“Not quite at your level. Butpromising.”
* * *
Linton took Emily to a quaint local tea shop and, after they ordered, Emily looked around the shop and felt right at home. The shop was slightly below street level and one needed to step down to enter. Café curtains covered the windows and a variety of small tables filled the shop. The aroma of freshly baked scones, biscuits, and cakes filled theair.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I have never noticed this shop before, and I pass by here all the time on my way to Giles’sstudio.”
“It is somewhat hidden away,” Linton said, nervously playing with the cutlery. “Emily, I just wanted to say how splendidly you played during your lesson. You are both an inspiration and athreat.”
“Oh? A threat? How isthat?”
“I feel I shall never be able to reach your level of excellence,” he said lowering his eyes and bowing his head as though he wasembarrassed.
“How long have you been playing?” sheasked.
“Since I wassix.”
“Well, there you are then… I have been playing since I was five. I am bound to be moreadvanced.”
He laughed. “But I am older than you, so it evensout.”
“Oh, how old areyou?”
“Three andtwenty.”
“Well, you are wrong there. I am twenty… something. But older than youare.”
“I would never have guessed. You are very beautiful and young looking,” he said, with a smile. “Sorry, if I am beingpresumptive.”
It was then the waitress brought the tea and they were interrupted. As they were being served Emily snuck quick looks at Linton who was preoccupied with putting butter and jam on his scone. She had to admit she was surprised and pleased to meet a young man who was different from the usual hangers-on she usually met. This was the first time she had even considered seeing some young man a secondtime.
But then her mind wandered to Mark. She knew it was impossible to think of him as anything other than a possible mentor and friend. But his face and form still lingered in her mind, even as she admired this young man beforeher.
After the tea was over and the dishes were taken away, there was an awkward pause as they both considered what to say at the end of this lovely afternoontea.
“Might I have the honor of calling on you again?” Lintonasked.
Emily was collecting her music folder and took a moment to consider his suit. “Ofcourse.”
“If I might walk you home, I would behonored.”
“I am not nearby. I must take theomnibus.”
“That is fine. Might I still accompany you? It has been such a pleasant afternoon, I hate topart.”
“Very well. And you may meet my parents—if both arehome.”
“Thank you. I should likethat.”
And they stood up and headed out of theteashop.
