“I completely understand,” Emily said. “That will not be anissue.”
Mr. Butler nodded. “Then if you will give me your address, we shall contact youshortly.”
Emily turned to Mark and smiled. “This is most exciting. I am very pleased, Your Grace. Thankyou.”
“Wait, Herr Darmstadt has something he wishes to say, aswell.”
Emily turned to Herr Darmstadt. “Sir, I amlistening.”
“Fraulein Dunn, I was most gratified last evening when I finally made it to Linfield Hall. I almost missed your recital, but I am happy to say I didn’t. And what a revelation it was for me. Rarely have I heard such divine playing of the piano. You are trulygifted.”
Emily nodded modestly, “Thank you. I truly appreciate yourinterest.”
“I am with the German-Franco agency, Kroner-DuPont. I would need to confer with my colleagues, but I feel certain we could organize a substantial tour for the season of nextyear.”
Emily turned to Mark and smiled. She reached over and took his hand. “Your Grace, is that notsplendid?”
Mark turned to Herr Darmstadt. “If you think it might facilitate matters, I could come to Heidelberg to deal with any questions and help with the paperwork. I could then bring any contracts to Miss Dunn for hersignature.”
“That would be helpful, but not for some time. It will take us at least three months to four months for the tour to be set up. Youunderstand?”
Marknodded.
“However, an agreement between us, we could write before I return to Germany.Ya?”
Mr. Butler spoke up. “I could draw that up for both of you to sign before the weekend is over, if that is acceptable toeveryone?”
“But she is not officially signed with you yet?” Mark remindedhim.
“This would not be an official agency document. Just a way for the process to begin as efficiently as possible,” Mr. Butleradded.
Mark stood with a large smile, “Well, Gentlemen—Miss Emily. I think we have made great progress toward a successful career.” He turned to Emily. “Are you pleased? Do you understand everything that has justhappened?”
“Mostly. But there are many details to be worked out, I amcertain.”
“Gentlemen,” Mark said, offering to shake each man’shand.
“And now if you do not mind, I anticipated a happy outcome and suggest a champagnetoast.”
Mark turned to the footman standing by, who removed a bottle from a bucket of ice and opened it—filling glasses for thetoast.
* * *
Emily was so excited she felt she must share the good news with Alice and the Duchess. However, the Duchess was most likely still at the Flower competition, so she sought outAlice.
She first went to Alice and Chester’s room but neither was there. She roamed the house looking for them in all of the obvious places but she could not find her dear, newfriend.
On the off-chance, she went to the Duchess’s rooms, but Baggs said she had not yet returned from thefete.
Then, at a loss with what to do with herself and all her excitement, she decided to take a stroll around the front of the house and keep an eye out for the Duchess’scarriage.
Emily went to her room, changed into a warmer shawl and headed for the front door. As she was about to exit, Colin Harris, the conductor’s son, approachedher.
“Miss Dunn,” he calledout.
Emily turned to him, “Yes, Mr.Harris?”
“Are you to take a breath of freshair?”
