“Well, they will be first in my heart,” Emilysaid.
“You are such a darling,” the Duchess said, patting Emily’sarm.
Mark turned to Emily. “Might I have a private word with you for a briefmoment?”
“Of course,” she answered as he pulled her aside. Sophie gave them a sour look as they headed over to one of the tall salon windows overlooking thepark.
“Emily, how are you feeling about the recital? Are youready?”
“I believe so. Thank you for asking,” Emily said as she caught Sophie’s angry stare over Mark’sshoulder.
“I just wanted to let you know that my conversations with a few of the guests at tea time went very well. They are looking forward to hearing you later. And several of the gentlemen said they might be in a position to help with the tour. Also, there are a few more gentlemen coming from the continent who have not arrived just yet, but are expected by the end of dinner. I wanted to let you know we may need to delay the recital a short while to accommodate theirarrival.”
“I understand.” She smiled shyly. “A delay is not ideal, but I will be happy to do whatever you think isbest.”
Mark placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile. “You look stunning this evening. And I know the recital will be exceptional. After all, you are a seasonedperformer.”
“But this may be the performance of a lifetime. My whole future depends on what I do thisevening.”
Mark smiled. “I do not for one moment feel there is anything to be concernedabout.”
“Thank you,” she saidhumbly.
“And now I must get back to Miss Sophie, who appears not to be happy that I am chatting with you, while she languishes without an escort or a glass ofchampagne.”
Emily nodded and he left. She was very seriously considering going back to her room until it was time for the recital, but Silas came over and offered her a glass ofchampagne.
“I am not drinking this evening, thank you,” shesaid.
“Miss Emily, you look bereft. Are you nervous about therecital?”
“Perhaps a little,” she said as he set the wine on a sidetable.
“But I know you to be a true professional and I am sure you willdazzle.”
“Thank you, Mr.Skeffington.”
And just then, Wesley announced, “My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, dinner is about to be served. If you will follow me and take your seatsplease.”
Silas offered Emily his arm, as there was no one else to escort her, she accepted—abandoning her thought of retiring to her room until therecital.
They headed, along with the others, to the dining room. The room was ablaze with candles in chandeliers hanging above the long table. They also blazed from sideboards and from candelabra along thetable.
There appeared to be seventy or eighty guests who were being seated, and Emily was very grateful that the seating was assigned, and she was not to be nearSilas.
Her immediate companions were two gentlemen on either side of her, and she was pleased to see Alice sitting across from her. It gave her a littlecomfort.
The two gentlemen introduced themselves. On her left was Oscar Bradford, the Earl of Kensington. And on her right was the Viscount Henry Livingston who was one of the chief patrons of the Royal College of Music—a loftyduo.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Mark announced as he stood at the head of the table. “We are quite a crowd. I hope you can all hear me,” he began. No one said they could not, so he pressed on. “The theme for this weekend is music. Many of you in attendance are from the music profession, or at least, support it. And we have a most delightful treat for you after dinner when we will be presenting a recital by a very talented young pianist, Miss Emily Dunn. I feel certain some of you may have heard of herpreviously.”
A polite round of applause ran through the guests as Mark stretched out his hand and bade Emily stand—which she did, bowing slightly andsmiling.
“And I want to welcome you all. I hope you have a most enjoyable weekend. There are many activities available to you, so feel free to ask any of our staff to assist you and they will direct you to the appropriate venue for whatever it is you wish to do—as long as it is legal.” The guests laughed. “Now, please enjoy the delicious meal our cooks have prepared for you and have a most delightfulevening.”
The footmen immediately began serving a beef and barley soup, as the Earl turned to Emily and asked, “Miss Dunn, I am ashamed to say, I am not one of those who has heard you play before. Do you come from a musicalfamily?”
“I do. My father is the owner and proprietor of Cartwright & Phillips Musical Instruments. And my two sisters and I were all part of the Dunn Trio. Might you have heard ofthem?”
