The guests broke into applause at the lovelyidea.
Emily turned to Mark, and smiled, saying, “I am doing this because I want to, not because I have to. Also, I did not get my morning practice in, so this will give me an opportunity to keep up with mywork.”
“Miss Emily—sorry, I must call you Emily—I could not be moredelighted.”
They retired to the drawing room where Emily seated herself at a quite fine baby grand piano and gave her performance of Bach, Mozart, and a piece by ReginaldBlake.
Afterward, the two critics stood and clapped loudly, besieging her as she rose from the piano stool. They were effusive in their praise of her playing, and they were soon joined by Giles, Mark, and Alice also complimenting her on herperformance.
Alice quietly asked, “And what made you chose a Reginald Blake piece? He is not quite in the company of Mozart andBach.”
Emily smiled slyly, “Call it a whim. Your bother is quite an admirer of hiswork.”
“I see,” Alice said with an equally slysmile.
Both critics then excused themselves, citing their need to return to their offices and Emily could see that the Duchess was tiring and felt it was time for her to leave as well. She went over to Alice who was chatting withMark.
Emily addressed Mark, “Your grandmother looks to be fading, so I shall excuse myself.” She turned to Alice, “What a charming luncheon, thankyou.”
Alice took Emily’s hands in hers. “My dearest, Emily. This has been all too brief and we have had no time at all to chat and get to know one another. I should very much like it if we could meet again soon—as two sisters. I long to know you better and make you one of my dearestfriends.”
“And I should like that very much, as well,” she said, grinning broadly. “And although I already have two sisters, I feel that we shall be even closer thansisters.”
* * *
After Alice ushered Emily and Giles out, she returned to the sitting room to Mark and the Duchess. The Duchess was engaged with putting her eyeglasses back into its case. Alice pulled Mark aside, out of range of the Duchess’s hearing, and said, “My darling brother, she is every bit as enchanting as you suggested. I do believe she is far superior to your Sophie and I highly encourage you to consider her as the next Duchess ofEdgerton.”
“Sheisdelightful, is she not? And so very talented. Do you think Grandmamma might be taken with her aswell?”
“How could she not be? Then let us ask?” Alice went over to where the Duchess was seated. “Grandmamma, did you enjoy the luncheon and therecital?”
“Oh, yes, very much. But I thought the sauce on the fish was a little too salty. You must speak to your cook aboutthat.”
Alice laughed and sat down next to her grandmother and took her hand. “I most certainly shall. But tell me… did you not find Miss Emily enchanting? I most certainlydid.”
“We chatted some at lunch and, without a doubt, she is bright, charming, and even witty. A most accomplished younglady.”
Alice looked at Mark who met her gaze. She decided that the Duchess was sufficiently admiring of Miss Emily, and she let the matter rest, but gave Mark a nod as if to indicate the ball was now in his court regarding MissEmily.
Chapter 11
Giles had received a note from Silas Skeffington requesting Giles visit him at his home, and Giles had replied in the affirmative. Giles assumed it was to be a solution for the trio that would free Emily up to pursue her solocareer.
Giles was ushered into Silas’s music room at the back of the house. He was surprised to see a young man seated at a piano, and it was none other than his own student, LintonHawthorn.
“Linton…!” heexclaimed.
“Maestro,” Linton said rising. “I did not know it was to be you I would bemeeting.”
Giles turned to Silas, expecting an explanation. “Mr. Skeffington, good morning. Thank you for your note, but it is a great surprise to see one of my own students here. Are you interested in arranging performances forhim?”
Silas came over and took Giles by the arm. “Indirectly. Of course, I knew Mr. Hawthorn was one of your students but I wanted to keep his identity a secret until I had all of my arrangements inplace.”
Linton sat back down and played a few phrases of Handel’sThe Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.“Welcome, Maestro, and let the proceedingsensue.”
Silas ushered Giles and Linton to sit with him in a corner of the music room, where he had chairs arranged in a small circle so they could face each other as they held theirdiscussion.
After the two guests were comfortably seated, Silas remained standing and began. “Mr. Carter—maestro—I believe I may have found the solution to your dilemma regarding MissEmily.”
