What the devil am I doing here?
Philip adored his nieces, but he preferred to support them in ways that didn’t require his presence at a social function. Laurel was a beautiful girl, and he’d heard she was a fair singer, though she’d confessed to him she really didn’t enjoy performing for an audience. Merilee seemed to enjoy playing piano, and people other than her own mother had said she was quite good. No matter, his presence ensured he wouldn’t be badgered again for a month or so. Desiree was a good sister, but she could be a mother bear sometimes, especially when it came to her children. As if conjured by his thoughts, Desiree Linden, Countess of Milburn, appeared at his side.
“Phillip, how good of you to come.” She took his arm and steered him toward the chairs set up for the audience.
“I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.”
“Of course you would.” She chuckled. “But I’m glad you chose to come instead of closeting yourself in your study. I’m giving you the choicest seat, right here in the front.”
“Marvelous. Everyone will be able to see me.”
“Don’t be silly. They’re here to see the girls, not you. Besides, you’ll be off to the left, so your good side will be all they see. You might be lucky and not have to interact with anyone.”
“How kind of you,” he said through his teeth.
He settled himself in his seat, turning sharply when someone behind him tapped his shoulder. The Duchess of Camden bent her head to speak to him, and the feathers on her oversized hat tickled his forehead. “Your Grace, it’s so good to see you again. I’ve heard you were at your estate, and we assumed you were still in mourning—”
The duchess stopped speaking abruptly and looked toward the stage. Phillip followed suit and saw Desiree held a crystal bell, apparently to gain everyone’s attention. Merilee had seated herself at the pianoforte.
“Friends, thank you so much for attending. Please make yourselves comfortable. Merilee and Laurel have a lovely program for you this evening. Merilee will open the program by performing Sonata in G minor by Muzio Clementi.”
Phillip prepared himself for an hour or two of boredom, schooling his features into a polite show of interest. Just as Merilee raised her hands to place them on the keyboard, he felt the air stir to his right, and the aroma of roses assaulted him. He glanced in that direction and beheld a vision of loveliness seated beside him. She wore a fetching gown of midnight blue satin, and her honey blond curls framed her heart-shaped face. She nodded a silent greeting to him then directed her attention toward the stage. Phillip dutifully turned his head as well, but his thoughts remained on the woman beside him. It was the woman from the bookstore. Where was her husband?
~~~~
Amelia kept her eyes focused on the performer, though she barely heard a note from the pianoforte. She kept her mouth closed, breathing deeply as her heart calmed to a steady beat. Edward’s insufferable fiancée had, as usual, not been ready to leave at the appointed time, so Amelia had taken a footman and hired a hackney, arriving at the last moment. She’d tossed her cloak at the surprised butler and scooted to an open seat at the front, sitting down just before Merilee began to play.
The man beside her was a distraction. She’d only caught a glimpse of him before the music started, but she was certain it was the same gentleman from the bookshop. She felt her face heat. Why on earth would she have such a reaction to a man?
The music stopped, and the people around her applauded politely. Amelia, embarrassed to be daydreaming, lifted her hands to do the same. But she realized the gentleman beside her was later than her to clap his hands. Perhaps he also had wayward thoughts.
Merilee rose from the bench and executed a prim curtsey then reseated herself at the bench. This time, she played a gentle introduction for her sister’s vocal solo.
Though she kept her eyes forward, she knew the singer was more to the gentleman’s liking. He sat up straighter, and his facial features lifted from its boredom into pleasure. Was it the song itself, or was it the performer who caught the man’s fancy? Laurel was almost seventeen now and would probably be ready to enter society in the next season. But if the man next to her had set his sights on her, she might be married before ever having one.
A jab to her midsection had her massaging it. Had she eaten something unsettling? She scarcely remembered what she’d consumed. She’d been so distracted by her new story she had simply eaten what was placed before her. Surely that was it. Indigestion made much more sense than jealousy over a young girl garnering the attention of the handsome man next to her.
The song concluded, and the audience applauded politely. Desiree announced a short intermission, and the guests rose to chat and partake of the sumptuous refreshments spread on the banquet tables. Amelia wasn’t particularly hungry or thirsty, but she rose, needing to stand and use her legs. As much as she loved writing, it caused her to sit for long periods of time. She didn’t enjoy the small talk — it bored her. But she put on her public face, for her friend’s sake. If nothing else, perhaps she could get some ideas for her next book.
“Excuse me, miss.”
She spun around, and locked eyes with the handsome gentleman who’d been seated beside her. To meet his gaze, she had to look up — farther, it seemed, than she had that afternoon. In his formal dress, he looked quite dashing. “Yes?”
“I believe you dropped this.” He held out a satin scarf. She’d forgotten she’d removed it during the recital.
“Thank you, sir. Once again, you’ve come to my aid, saving me from my clumsiness.”
“I was in the way. I should know better than to stand in one spot in the bookstore.”
Amelia put a finger to her lips. “Shh. My brother doesn’t approve of me frequenting that shop. It’s not in a fashionable area of town.”
He nodded. “I understand. Incident forgotten.”
Desiree, ever the hostess, appeared suddenly. “Phillip, I see you’ve met my dear friend, Lady Amelia Partridge. Amelia, this is my brother, the Duke of Bartlett.”
Phillip bowed deeply. “How do you, do, Lady Amelia?”
Amelia curtseyed. “I’m honored to meet you, Your Grace.”
“I’m surprised we haven’t met before. Have you and my sister been friends for a long time?”
Desiree chuckled and touched his arm, causing him to turn his attention back to her. “How diplomatic, Phillip. You can see Amelia is closer to Laurel’s age than mine. Amelia is a fellow member of the Ladies’ Literary Society, and she’s been a boon to us. She has a way with words and has written our newsletter and other promotional tracts for our organization.”
Phillip turned back to Amelia. “Very impressive, Lady Amelia. The Literary Society is one of my sister’s passions, and anyone who forwards their cause is a treasure.”
Amelia’s face warmed, and she scolded herself. She was normally immune to flattery, but the duke’s praise made her feel almost giddy. Why was she acting like a lovesick silly schoolgirl? She managed to keep her voice from rising to a giggly pitch. “Thank you. I’m honored to be associated with such a worthy cause.”
“May I fetch some refreshments for you ladies?” Phillip offered.
Desiree nodded. “Thank you, Phillip. I would love some tea.”
Amelia shook her head. “Nothing for me, thank you.”
As soon as Phillip left, Desiree laid her hand on Amelia’s arm. “Thank you so much for coming, Amelia. Laurel and Merilee both look up to you.”
“How kind of you to say so, Lady Milburn.”
“Please call me Desiree. Let me introduce you to another friend of mine, Lady Diane. Well, it’s something like that. She’s French, and I can never pronounce her name to suit her. I understand you speak her language…”
Lady Dionne, betrothed to the Earl of Warwick, stood off to the side of the room, next to her fiancé. The beautiful young girl brightened considerably when Amelia began a conversation in her native tongue.
~~~~
A few minutes later, Phillip handed his sister a cup of tea.
“What do you think of her?” Desiree demanded.
“Who?”
“Amelia, you goose. Isn’t she lovely?”
“Of course.”
“You two have a lot in common. But she’s quite headstrong.”
“I didn’t realize you had set up shop as a matchmaker. Besides, I thought she was married.”
“Amelia? No, she’s happily unattached. As you are,” she added when Phillip started a retort. “And I think both of you would be even happier with someone to share your interests.”
“Put away those dreams, Desiree. If she’s going to be happy with a man, you will need to find someone else for her.”
“Not interested?”
“Not — qualified.”
Desiree’s brows rose, but she said nothing.
~~~~
Amelia enjoyed her conversation with the future countess, but her mind was on the handsome duke across the room. How had she not recognized him? Had the incident that caused his scars kept him bedridden? Her curiosity was stemmed when Desiree rose to the platform to gather her guests for the second half of the program.
“Dear, guests, the performers are ready for the second half of the program. Please be kind enough to take your seats.”
The audience members made their way back to their chairs. But a shrill voice from the ballroom’s entrance had them freezing mid-step. Amelia recognized the voice and winced as everyone swiveled to see what had caused the commotion.
The Earl of Sudbury had arrived, along with his fiancée.
“Don’t hold my cloak like that!” Colette’s screeching carried across the room. “Have you no sense at all? You are crushing the fabric. Edward, we will have to bring my servants here from France. They know how to take care of fine clothing.”
The poor servant who’d had the misfortune to take her cloak cringed.
“Yes, my dear,” Edward murmured, as if to make amends for Colette’s outburst. “Why don’t I take your cloak for now?”
“Never mind. I will buy a new one when I go back to Paris. I need something to drink after the ride in that dreadful carriage. Where is the wine steward?”
One of the waiters hadn’t disappeared quickly enough.
“Ah, there he is. Please bring a glass for Mademoiselle Colette.”
The rest of the guests, having already given up their drinks, resigned themselves to waiting for her. The young servant cautiously approached her with his tray, holding it as far from him as he could.
“This is French wine, no?”
“Yes, mademoiselle.”
Colette sipped and breathed a sigh of satisfaction. “Only the French know how to make a proper wine.” She took a sip, pointedly ignoring the impatient stares around her.
She took her time, despite the fact that no one came to converse with her or her fiancé. When she finally finished, she took the earl’s arm and walked regally toward the stage. She stopped when they got to the seats.
“Edward, surely you do not expect me to sit on such awful chairs?”
If Edward was mortified at his fiancée’s question, he contained it well. He looked around him and pointed to a love seat along the edge of the room. “Will that do, my love?”
Colette sighed heavily. “I suppose it will have to do. Have them bring it over here.” She pointed to the front of the stage.
There were several gasps from the other guests. And then murmurs. How dare she sit right in front after having made everyone wait for her?
But Colette seemed oblivious to the hateful stares and mumbling. She waited for the hastily summoned servants to move the love seat.
“Edward, you will have to sit on the left, so I do not have to see that horrible looking man.” Though Colette’s statement was uttered in a stage whisper, it was clearly heard in the waiting silence.
Amelia stood, stepped behind her seat, and lifted her chair.
“My dear Amelia, whatever are you doing?” Edward asked. “There’s no need to move your chair. I believe there is plenty of room for this in front of you.”
Amelia plastered on a semblance of a smile for her brother. “Perhaps there is, Edward, but I believe Mademoiselle Colette would be much more comfortable if I move my chair. That will, er, give her more leg room.”
Phillip popped up from his seat. “Allow me to assist you.”
Amelia started at Phillip’s announcement. She hadn’t expected help. She simply wanted to watch the program without a view of Colette and the love seat in front of her. The chair wasn’t heavy, though a bit unwieldy. But Phillip took her chair with one hand and his own with the other and walked ten feet to their left. He set both chairs down then gestured for her to resume her seat.
A flurry of activity had her turning her head and nearly gasping with surprise. The entire audience followed Phillip’s suit, wordlessly moving their own seats approximately ten feet to the left. The action left Colette and Edward sitting alone on one side of the stage, and the rest of the party on the other.
Desiree, standing on the edge of the stage, watched the proceedings without comment, though Amelia thought she noted a smirk on her lovely face. Laurel and Merilee, having already taken their places on the stage, cast curious looks as they observed their audience’s migration to one side. They were young, but they knew the significance of the action. It was as good as a cut.
As soon as the group re-settled, Desiree clapped her hands for attention. “Dear friends, thank you for returning. The Linden girls have some more entertainment for you. They will now perform together the Andante movement from Mozart’s Piano for Four Hands in D Major.”
The girls plunged into their music as if to stave off another disruption. Amelia stole a glance to her right. Colette lounged in the love seat, either blissfully unaware of — or stubbornly unconcerned about — the discontent she had caused. But Edward, seated in a regular chair beside her, squirmed uncomfortably. He knew the audience had snubbed him. Hopefully he had finally come to his senses and realized the damage his fiancée could do to him.
She turned her attention back toward the stage. Beside her, the tall man sat at a respectful distance yet so close the nearness produced heat.
Perhaps she needed to wear lighter clothing.