Miss Walden uncoupled herself from Vincent and allowed Matthew to bow and kiss her hand as though they were meeting at a ball.She dipped into a light curtsy.“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr.Huntley.”
Hmm.Her interest was merely polite now, but Vincent knew that would change as soon as she heard him sing.Every woman looked at Matthew differently after they heard him sing.
They engaged in polite chitchat—mostly about the sad state of the roads between London and Sidmouth—until Kendall alerted them dinner was ready.As was her custom here in the countryside, Aunt Gert ignored the rules of propriety and everyone went in to dinner however they chose.No pairing off according to rank.
Vincent pulled Matthew aside after the ladies exited the room.“My apologies,” he murmured.“I should have introduced you by your title.I haven’t even thought to tell my aunts about your recent change in station.”
“Think nothing of it.I’m not used to it yet, either.”Matthew clapped him on the shoulder.“And after what my cousin did to the name, I’m not sure I want to take it up.”
Chapter 7
Sophia forced herself to eat, even though her stomach was still in knots after the close call on the beach.Fairfax had surprised her mere moments after Mildred had gone into the cave to put away the candles Sophia had brought her.What a horrible time for Fairfax to experience a bout of nostalgia!When they passed the junction to the cavern, she was sure her heart was going to beat right out of her chest.She fully expected the light from Mildred’s candle to be visible and catch Fairfax’s attention.‘Awkward’ did not begin to describe how that conversation would have gone.
Fortunately Sophia had years of experience to draw from in watching young women vying for the attention of eligible bachelors.Even though he couldn’t see her coquettishly batting her lashes at him in the dark tunnel, he had tried to comfort the frightened maiden she pretended to be as she clung to his arm, without him realizing how much she was hustling him up the path.
She did allow herself a tiny smile at the realization that the toy soldiers she’d found in the cave likely belonged to Fairfax.What had the big, strapping lord looked like as a little boy?
Oh, dear.What if he remembered the toys were there and went looking for them?What if he and his friend Mr.Huntley wanted to explore the cavern for old times’ sake?
She and Theo had to find out about Mildred’s fiancé, Lord Wingfield, soon, and get her home.Or at least some place safer than hiding in a cave.Even though, against all logic, Mildred insisted she was having the adventure of her life.Hadn’t had this much fun and freedom since she was a little girl traipsing across the estate after her big brothers, catching frogs in the pond, and staying out all night hunting for glow-worms.Sophia still hadn’t had a chance to talk to the girl about her late-night walks on the beach that were drawing attention.
Fresh from London, perhaps Mr.Huntley had heard of Wingfield.But what excuse could Sophia give for inquiring about a man rumored to be a drunken, licentious wastrel?
By the time the last course had been consumed and everyone headed for the drawing room, she still had no idea how to broach the subject.
“What song are you going to regale us with first, Matthew?”Mrs.Digby settled in her usual armchair.
Happy to be entertained and rest her hands, Sophia took a seat on the sofa with Mrs.Royston.
“I am uncertain.I’ll have to consult with my accompanist.”Mr.Huntley grinned, even as Fairfax gave him a light smack on the back of his head.
As they sorted through the music books in the cupboard, Sophia took the opportunity to take a closer look at Mr.Huntley.Like Fairfax, he had to give his head a little shake to get his hair from his eyes after he bent over to get something off the bottom shelf.Instead of his hair brushing his shoulders, though, his luxurious auburn locks barely skimmed his shirt points in sumptuous waves that her students would surely have sighed over and dreamed of running their fingers through.Fairfax said they had attended school together, yet Mr.Huntley looked young enough to still be a student.
Having settled on which piece to play first, Fairfax sat on the pianoforte bench, Mr.Huntley standing just behind him to read the music.Fairfax began to play a popular aria.Then Mr.Huntley began to sing, and Sophia struggled to keep her jaw from going slack.
His tenor voice was utterly divine.
As good or better than the professional singers she had heard perform, he hit every note, stayed in the correct key, soared higher than she thought possible for a man past adolescence, and seemed to delight in the reaction he was getting from Mrs.Digby and Mrs.Royston, who sat in rapt attention.
“Bravo, bravo!”said Mrs.Royston when the song ended, vigorously applauding.
Mrs.Digby held her hand over her heart.“My dear boy, it’s been far too long since you visited.”She waved one bony finger at both men.“All right, then, now a duet.”
Fairfax and Huntley briefly consulted each other, turned to the desired page, and began another song.Sophia expected to hear two tenors, but Fairfax was now singing in a mellow baritone that complemented his friend’s higher range.And his voice didn’t sound the least bit strained.
Her head tilted as she took in this unexpected development, from the corner of her eyes Sophia saw Mrs.Digby and Mrs.Royston exchange what she could only describe as a sly smile when they glanced at her before turning their attention back to Huntley and Fairfax.
After they performed two more songs, Mr.Huntley settled in between Sophia and Mrs.Royston on the sofa.Up close, his blue eyes twinkled in the candlelight, his joyful smile contagious.
“Do you play or sing, Miss Walden?I would very much like you to join us.”Before she could answer, Fairfax spoke.
“She does both quite well, but I’m not sure we can convince her to join us.”Fairfax had turned his body on the pianoforte bench, leaning toward the sofa with his palms on his knees.
Huntley stared at Fairfax while he spoke, then turned back to Sophia, his eyebrows raised in delight.“What would it take?You choose the song.”
Fairfax’s gesture encompassed the pianoforte, harpsichord, and harp.“You choose the instrument.”
“Oh, yes please, Miss Walden,” Mrs.Royston said, leaning forward to see around Mr.Huntley.“You three would sound divine together.”
