She dropped her hands to her lap and smoothed the light brown cotton skirts.“I will not—” she couldn’t bring herself to say the wordstrap you— “alter my life’s path because of foolishness or apparent trickery on my part, or a misplaced sense of chivalry on your part.”
Fairfax dropped his eyebrows and tilted his head to look at her sideways.“Alter your life’s path?”he faintly echoed.
“I am going to complete the transcription of Mrs.Digby’s memoir and then resume teaching music at an academy for young ladies.Or some other post teaching music.”Watching Mildred play the other night had forcefully brought back how much she enjoyed sharing her knowledge of music, of teaching someone so they, too, could experience the same wonder and awe in a beautiful composition.When a student finally grasped a concept, when they developed a mastery over their instrument—whether their voice or pianoforte—she felt as much or more joy and sense of accomplishment as they did, at being a part of their journey.
In between dealing with Mildred and handling Mrs.Digby’s memoir, Sophia intended to redouble her efforts at finding another teaching position.She didn’t merely want to not rely on her cousin Claire’s husband or some other male for her survival after she finished here.She would support herself in a manner that brought her joy as well as self-sufficiency.
Fairfax glanced at the incoming waves as if seeking inspiration.“It’s not just chivalry, misplaced or otherwise.Miss Walden, I—”
“You’re on your way to Italy to meet your paternal grandmother,” she interjected.“It’s an important plan, a goal you’ve had for quite some time if I understood Mrs.Royston correctly.One that will bring you and your grandmother great joy.”Sophia made sure Fairfax was looking directly at her.“Nothing should stop you.You should not let anything stand in your way of finally going to Italy.”
He drew breath to argue, she was sure, but they heard footsteps in the hall coming closer.
Sophia scurried back to her chair at the desk and had just picked up her quill pen when there was a light tap before the door opened, and Mrs.Nelson stepped in.
“Sergeant Kendall said you might like another pot, Miss,” the housekeeper said, setting a tray on the corner of the desk.Instead of a delicate porcelain teapot, the tray was laden with a silver coffee pot, milk and sugar bowls, clotted cream, blackberry preserves, and a plate of scones.And only one cup and spoon.“Oh, beg pardon, my lord,” she said as she spotted Fairfax on the window seat.He’d leaned back against the wall and stretched out on the cushion, arms loosely folded across his chest, long legs crossed at the ankle, as he stared out the window.The housekeeper glanced between the two of them.“Shall I bring another setting?”
The clock on the mantel chimed the hour.
“Thank you but that won’t be necessary, Mrs.Nelson,” Fairfax said, rising.“It’s time to win back my blunt from Matthew at the billiards table.”He tossed a look at Sophia over his shoulder as he left, silently assuring her their conversation was unfinished.
Chapter 12
After dinner that evening, everyone gathered in the drawing room as usual.Matthew seated himself at the pianoforte and Vincent warmed up on his violin.Fortunately, years of playing had developed calluses on his fingertips, so while parts of his hands were tender and sore from handling rocks last night, he could still play.
Miss Walden sat on the sofa, looking relieved she hadn’t been asked to play, absently petting Henry, who sat at her feet.Shadows were finally visible beneath her eyes.Vincent had indulged in two naps since their adventure in the cave last night, while she had remained awake and working with Aunt Gert.
Except for her nap he’d interrupted in the library.
He’d had the best of intentions, to wake her up only if Gert or Agnes approached.He’d sat on the desk, watching her.With her head pillowed on her folded arms, she looked so small and vulnerable it was hard to believe she was the same fierce warrior who had flung rocks to dig them out of a cave-in.He couldn’t resist twitching her scarf and tracing one fingertip beneath the long lashes on her silky soft cheek.
When she’d lifted her head and blinked at him in confusion, his heart constricted.An unfamiliar emotion washed through him.Something he didn’t have a name for, didn’t want to identify, but compelled him to follow through with his plan to ask her to be his wife.
And the minx wouldn’t let him say the words.
She’d pressed her finger to his lips, halting his proposal.
He should feel relief she wasn’t forcing him to the altar.Had anyone else been there when Matthew and the servants dug them out, the banns would be read starting this Sunday.If word got out she had been in there with him, Mr.Middlebrook could still be reading their names at church.
Marriage was such a simple solution to her problems.She wouldn’t need to keep looking for a job to go to after she finished helping Aunt Gert with her memoir.
Why wasn’t she accepting an easy way out of her difficulties?
Another element of the puzzle that was Miss Walden.
Was protecting Miss Ebrington her only other secret?He still didn’t know what she had written in that bizarre code on all those papers.
He would figure it out.Learn her secrets.
In the meantime, he was not above showing off a little.The music teacher enjoyed good music and performances?He’d give her one to remember.
Vincent launched into Vivaldi’sConcerto Number One in E Major, also known asSpring, a tune that required great skill of the violinist.His music teacher, Mr.Barrett, had been fond of Vivaldi, which meant Vincent had spent hundreds if not thousands of hours learning the Italian composer’s works.
Matthew gave him a shrewd look that said he knew exactly what Vincent was up to, and joined in.They focused on each other to stay in time, which meant Miss Walden was free to look her fill.From the corner of his eye he could see she was doing exactly that.
Let her look.
Finished, Matthew bowed from his seat on the bench and Vincent gave a low bow, still holding his violin, to raucous applause from Gert and Agnes, and slightly more restrained clapping from Miss Walden.
