Sophie cast a quick glance to Mark, who was watching her closely and she said, “I can see why Mark takes such an interest in your work. It seems all he talks about these days is Emily this… Emily that. If I did not know better I might become jealous.” And she tightened her grip on hisarm.
Mark said before he escorted Sophie away, “You said the children’s program was atfour?”
“Yes, in the room where the recital was lastnight.”
“I will step in to hear a portion ofit.”
Emily nodded to Jacob, but his eyes were already closed, so she followed the Duchess, Mark, andSophie.
As she was leaving, Silas apprehended her. “What prompted the children’s songs?” heasked.
She told him of her encounter with the children thatmorning.
“I see. How charming. And might you consent to have tea with me before your nextperformance?”
Emily hesitated. She did not want to create a scene, but at the same time, she did not appreciate his constant attentions—with only one thought inmind.
“I will have tea with you on the sun porch if you like, but I promised to perform for the children at fouro’clock.
Silas consulted his pocket watch. “Very well. Shall we go then? We have about twentyminutes.”
Emily could see Mark and Sophie disappear down the hallway as Silas led the way down the staircase and to the sunporch.
It was the time in the afternoon when many of the guests were having tea and it was difficult to find a freetable.
“Here we are,” Silas said, as he secured a corner table at the back of the porch. “Would you like something to eat with your tea?” he asked, still standing after Emily wasseated.
“Perhaps a tea cake or a few smallsandwiches.”
The tea was buffet style, so Silas went to fetch therefreshments.
Returning, he served her and himself and sat oppositeher.
Emily kept her eyes lowered, not wanting to invite one of his forceful conversations. However, it did not deter him and he said, “This has been a most successful weekend for you, has itnot?”
“Yes, ithas.”
“Mark told me about the meeting with the gentlemen this morning. Brava. It looks like you are about to achieve what you wishedfor.”
“It would seem to be so. But I still have a way to go, and there can always be upsets along theway.”
“But not for you, Miss Emily, with a benefactor such as me to guideyou.”
Emily did not like his use of the wordbenefactor—especially when she considered Mark to be her champion in building her career, not Silas. But she needed to remind herself that Mr. Skeffington had helped her family considerably, and he had been the benefactor of the trio and had facilitated her removal from the trio by finding Linton to replaceher.
Linton…she thought and realized that in the scurry of preparing for this weekend’s recital, she had given him little thought. But it was a comfort to know that he would, most certainly, be there for her when she returned home toLondon.
Then, coming out of her thoughts, she realized that Silas had been talking to her, but she had not beenlistening.
“Emily, what do you think about that?Emily?”
She blinked and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I beg your pardon,” she said, “My mind wandered, and I missed what you justsaid.”
“I was telling you about the exquisite marquetry inlay on the fine spinet at my home in Chipping Ongar, and I was asking if you might like to see it? It is a very fine harpsichord and I have not heard you play on such an instrument. Do you think you might like to try it out? It truly is quitemagnificent.”
The idea of going along with Silas to his house did not appeal to her one bit, so she responded, “That would be charming. And I know Alice would love to see it and maybe even try the instrument herself. When were you thinking of taking us to yourhome?”
Silas was silent. She had been correct; he had other intentions besides the harpsichord and was stymied by the thought of Alice coming withthem.
