“Yes, Mother, I am coming rightnow.”
Emily removed the smock she was wearing as she worked with Teresa, and opened the washroomdoor.
Mother stood away from the door as Emily came out and followed her down the stairs to the sitting room where Mark waswaiting.
Mother peeked into the room as Emilyentered.
“Are you certain I cannot offer you tea, Your Grace,” sheasked.
“Thank you, no, Mrs.Dunn.”
After Mother left, Emily went over to where Mark was standing at a bookcase casually studying abook.
“Mark, how nice to see you. And to what do we owe thehonor?”
Mark slipped the book back in its place and turned toher.
“I have met with Monsieur Bellieu and we have set up a time for the two of you to meet. However, he is requesting an audition and I thought we might discuss what would be best for you to perform forhim.”
“When isit?”
“Thursday and perhaps again Friday, as he may wish to invite some others to hear you, if he likes what he sees andhears.”
“I shall be happy to oblige.” Emily looked out the window toward the garden. “But it is such a lovely day outside, might we go out to the garden to continue ourdiscussion?”
“I should enjoythat.”
Just then Teresa appeared at the sitting room door, her head wrapped in atowel.
“Oh, sorry… I did notknow…”
“What Teresa?” Emily askedtersely.
“Ah… my hair… I am ready for you,” she said, starting to backout.”
“I shall be there shortly. But I have business with His Grace, and I cannot say when we shallfinish.”
Teresa pushed her glasses up her nose. “Very well, then I shall be in my room. Is there anything I should do while I wait?” she asked, poking her head back into theroom.
“Just brush yourhair.”
Teresa nodded anddisappeared.
“Sorry about that,” Emilysaid.
“Domestic concerns. Everyone hasthem.”
“I have been attempting to spruce her up. She has not paid much attention to her appearance until she found a young man shefancies.”
“That can certainly be an incentive,” he said with a teasingsmile.
“Now then, shall we continueoutdoors?”
Emily led the way through the door into the garden. She led him to her bench under the beech tree, where they sat skewed toward each other so they couldconverse.
“Tell me about this Monsieur Bellieu,” Emily asked. “Is he someone you believe could accomplish ourgoals?”
“Most certainly. He is very well connected to the music world on the continent and seems most open to you and yourambitions.”
