“I have decided to go visit Mrs. O’Keefe this afternoon, and stay the night. "
“Of course you must go to your friend. It’s a long journey. I would be happy to keep you company.”
She shook her head. “Edward is going to tear himself away from his work and come with me, so that won’t be necessary.”
Ashley felt a measure of disappointment. Naturally her aunt should visit her friend. But with both her aunt and uncle gone, that meant Ashley could not visit Georgia tonight and have dinner with her friend’s large, boisterous family.
“But I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“There are a dozen servants in the house, Aunt. I won’t be alone.”
“All of whom came highly recommended. But none have worked for us for longer than six weeks. I would not feel comfortable leaving you here alone with just the servants.”
Ashley gritted her teeth. She was an adult, a woman of twenty-three years. She should be able to spend an evening at home by herself, with or without servants.
“I’ve had a better idea.” Aunt’s eyes twinkled with merriment. “I don’t wish to interfere in your plans. You should spend time with your young friends. To that end, I have exchanged notes with Lady Mansfield.” She gave Ashley’s shoulders a squeeze. “Lord Mansfield is going to send his coach for you. Not only will you get to have dinner with your friend, you are to stay the night with Georgia. Is that not marvelous?”
Ashley’s first reaction was irritation. She was not a child who needed a governess or nurse to look after her. But then she thought how much fun it would be to spend the night with Georgia. They could laugh and be silly until all hours, just as students had often done at the academy. It had been more than a decade since she’d last spent the night at a friend’s home.
“Thank you, Aunt. That is very thoughtful of you.”
Aunt Eunice pulled her in for a quick hug. “You don’t have much time before the coach will be here.” They kissed each other on the cheek in farewell. Aunt left to her room to pack, and Ashley rang the bell so Sally could help her pack.
She had barely snapped the valise closed when a footman knocked on her door to let her know Lord Mansfield’s coach had arrived.
Soon she was ushered into the Mansfield townhouse entry hall, her bonnet, cloak, and gloves taken by the butler, a footman disappearing upstairs with her valise and her maid, and Georgia pulled her into a hug.
“I feel bad for your aunt’s friend, but we’re going to have ever so much fun!” She tucked her arm through Ashley’s and began to lead her toward the staircase. “You can help me pick out what to wear for dinner. You’ll get to meet Great-Aunt Constance tonight. I think Uncle Liam is already here.”
Strains of music had been drifting into the hall. The singing and playing abruptly cut off, and voices rose in tense conversation. Ashley cocked her head to listen.
“Ooh, it sounds like they’re arguing again,” Georgia said, obviously delighted. “Let’s go watch!” She held one finger over her lips. They tiptoed into the music room and sat on two of the straight-backed chairs lined up along the back wall, behind the large sofa where Georgia’s sister-in-law, Deirdre, was asleep, her embroidery hoop and threads abandoned on the cushion beside her.
Lord Mansfield sat at the pianoforte, with Lord Templeton and Georgia’s oldest brother, Parker, standing just behind him so they could look over his shoulder at the music. Mr. Westbrook was off to one side with a mandolin on his lap. Completing the circle, Lord Ravencroft sat with his back to Ashley, holding a violincello. Lady Templeton stood near the fireplace in front of a large slate mounted on a frame, similar to those used in classrooms at the academy. Several bars of music had been written on the slate. Lady Templeton waved a sheet of paper with one hand and held a piece of chalk in the other.
“That’s not the way I wrote it!” She stabbed the slate with her chalk. “Go up to the C and then step down to the F sharp.”
“But it sounds better this way!” Ravencroft gestured with his bow as he spoke.
Ashley felt something tickle her lower leg, and with a huff of annoyance, bent down to retie her garter.
“Why don’t we ask our audience which version they prefer?” Lord Mansfield said.
“I only arrived in time to hear the argument,” Georgia said sweetly. “I’ll need to hear the music.”
Ashley retied her other garter for good measure, adjusted her skirt, and sat back up.
Lady Templeton blew out a puff of air that lifted strands of hair from her forehead. “Very well. From the beginning, shall we? My version first.” She raised her hand, and the quintet began.
The five voices were barely strong enough to not be drowned out by the three instruments. Except Ashley could only distinguish four voices.
After a few measures, Lady Templeton waved her hand to cut them off. “David, why aren’t you singing?”
“You don’t need my voice. I’m only here because Parker can’t play for another week or two.”
As if on cue, Parker glanced at the bandages on the index and middle finger of his left hand. “Three weeks.”
“And by then he won’t have enough time to become proficient with this piece before the competition.” Lady Templeton softened her tone. “We have a better chance of besting Lord Bristol if you join us.” She sauntered close to Ravencroft. “And I know you’d enjoy beating Lord Fairfax.”
