“You know what my courtship is,” Anthony said quietly.
“So you say,” Lady Victoria replied, “but given how much you dote upon her and how you look at her, I strongly suspect your desire for Lady Bridget is far greater than you wish to admit.”
Anthony glanced at her, unnerved by Lady Victoria in a way that he had never been before. “You are very observant.”
“No,” she replied, “but I know what love is. I know how it looks and what it feels like.”
Anthony took a deep breath. “We shall see, my lady.”
“So we shall.”
Across the room, Bridget seated herself before the pianoforte. While the conversations continued around him, Anthony fell silent. He watched, utterly enraptured. Bridget smiled at the audience. He felt her eyes light on him, and his heart hammered against his ribcage. For Anthony, it was as if Bridget were playing just for him.
As the first notes rose waveringly in the air, his breath quickened. She played with such elegance and grace that the entire world seemed to melt away until it was only the two of them. Did she feel that same jolt of passion when their eyes met across the room?
“She plays very nicely,” Lady Victoria commented.
Anthony nodded, but he barely heard the comment. Bridget’s fingers moved deftly over the keys, never wavering as she filled the air with the most splendid music he had ever heard. What would it be like to hear the sweet sounds of the pianoforte in Hamilton House, to emerge from his study after long days of checking ledgers and answering correspondence, and hearing those joyous sounds flutter in the air?
“She is quite good.”
The familiar voice came from behind him, too close for comfort. Anthony felt as if ice had crept into his veins.
“Lady Hastings,” he said.
“Your Grace.”
Anthony glanced over his shoulder, noting that Lady Hastings seemed accompanied by a lady’s companion, rather than her husband. “Where is Lord Hastings on this lovely day?”
“He has taken ill,” Lady Hastings replied. “He graciously allowed me to attend the recital without him.”
“I see.”
Anthony subtly turned away from her, his eyes fixing on Bridget. She did not appear to notice his interaction with Lady Hastings. The young woman was utterly engrossed in her music. Anthony’s heart swelled with pride for how talented she was. He had never seen a lady as accomplished as she was, and he longed to sit closer to her. He imagined himself leaning over Bridget’s shoulder, murmuring sweet words into the side of her neck as she played.
“She is pretty,” Lady Hastings continued.
“So she is,” Anthony replied.
“As are most young ladies of the ton,” Lady Victoria said. “Once upon a time, we were equally fair of face.”
“Lady Victoria,” Lady Hastings said. “How good to see you among us once again.”
Lady Victoria smiled thinly. “Indeed.”
“I spoke with Lady Bridget at tea yesterday,” Lady Hastings said. “I thought it was a very productive conversation.”
Anthony clenched his jaw. He could imagine well enough what Lady Hastings might have said. His eyes darted to Lady Victoria, who was listening to their conversation. As much as Anthony wanted to confront Lady Hastings and ask what she had told Bridget, he could not do so publicly. Their conversation would have to wait.
“I am sure that you did,” he replied.
Doubtlessly, Lady Hastings had cast herself as the heroine of whatever tale she had spun. Anthony could scarcely believe that he had once loved this woman. He had been such a fool!
“Does she know how fickle your heart is?” Lady Hastings asked.
“She knows of my love for Lady Anastasia,” Anthony said, his tone warning. “Furthermore, I do not believe that this is an appropriate conversation for us to have during a music recital. We should be listening to the music.”
Lady Hastings looked affronted, which was a little deserved. People often talked and spread gossip during occasions such as these. “Apologies, Your Grace. I did not mean to upset you,” she said.
