“We should get off the stage,” Callum said, and Louise giggled.
“Indeed, My Lord,” she replied.
With that, they left while Wessex went up.
“Lord Langton and Lady Louise's performance was...”
“Electric,” someone in the audience said, and others voiced their assent. Louise was still all smiles when she went back to her seat.
At the night's end, Wessex was onstage to announce the singer with the best performance. “After careful consideration, we have decided to announce Lady Louise and Lord Langton as the winners. They will be rewarded with an evening of sculpting with one of the best sculptors around here. Since the performance that won is a duet, both Lady Louise and Lord Langton shall share the prize.”
Louise smiled as she looked at Callum. He smiled back at her. She was happy, not just because she won the musicale but also because she and Callum would be spending time together without theton's watchful eyes.
“You did very well out there, Louise,” Aunt Theodora said.
Louise saw Callum's grandfather's approach.
“Well, Aunt Theodora, His Grace just could not stay away from you,” Louise said. Aunt Theodora looked up eagerly and broke into a smile when she saw the Duke.
“Lady Theodora,” the Duke said, “I must say you look absolutely beautiful tonight...as always.”
Aunt Theodora smiled. “Oh, you flatter this old lady, Your Grace.”
“Old lady?” the Duke said like he could not believe what she had just said, “I can only see a beautiful woman.”
“Isn't this just lovely?” Louise turned to her mother, who was also smiling from ear to ear at the Duke and Aunt Theodora's exchange.
“I think Aunt Theodora is in love,” she said.
“Your lovely grandson gave a beautiful performance with my niece, don't you think?” Aunt Theodora said to the Duke.
He smiled with pride and nodded. “My grandson has many talents and one of them is singing. Our family is, in fact, one of the oldest and wealthiest in England, and we spend a lot of money to ensure that our offspring are talented. I am not so surprised that my grandson would be such a good singer,” he said.
“Would you take a walk with me, Lady Louise?”
With that, they walked away into the night, laughing.
Louise was still staring at the retreating figure of her aunt and the Duke when she heard a slight cough behind her. She turned to see Callum holding out a bouquet of beautiful lilies. Louise gasped in surprise when she saw it, but this was soon replaced with confusion.
“This…is lovely,” Louise said, eyeing Callum in confusion.
“Only a beautiful bouquet of flowers is befitting for a beautiful lady like yourself,” Callum said.
Louise's eyes widened in surprise as she realized that the beautiful flowers were, in fact, for her.
“Why? You are so kind, My Lord,” she said, smiling beside herself. At this point, Louise could see several people intently watching their interaction.
“I gathered the flowers myself,” Callum said.
“Is that so?” Louise asked, impressed.
“I wanted to ensure that every strand was worth it,” Callum said.
“Thank you, My Lord,” Louise replied.
Callum tipped his hat before leaving.
“It seems that the Marquess is very interested in courting you, perhaps not all is lost after all…” Louise's mother said.
