Page 26 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“Yes, sir, he is expecting you. If you will followme…”

The maid led the way to the large front sitting room, where Giles found Silas smoking a pipe and reading aperiodical.

“Good afternoon, Mr.Skeffington.”

“Mr. Carter, how prompt youare.”

“In music, if one is late by even a semi-demi-quaver, the magic is lost,” Giles said with a twinkle in his eye. “I find promptness to be like a perfect melody that pleases both the musician and theaudience.”

“Well, said, Mr. Carter. And might I offer you a whiskey or asherry?”

“No thank you, sir. I need to keep my wits aboutme.”

“But you do not object if I…? Silas asked, already pouring himself awhiskey.

“Not atall.”

Silas took his time pouring the drink and ambling back to his chair. “Oh, please sit, Mr.Carter.”

“Thank you.” And Giles sat upright in the chair with his hands resting on his walkingstick.

“And what might I do for you thisafternoon?”

Giles weighed right into his concerns. “At the meeting with the family, you spoke of developing bookings for thetrio.”

“Yes, and I have begun my negotiations with several concert tour operators on theirbehalf.”

“But there is aconcern.”

“Oh? And what might thatbe?”

“Miss Emily is one of the most accomplished up and coming British musical talents to be seen in decades,” Gilessaid.

Silas nodded but he also had a strange leer on his face. “I quiteagree.”

“But you see, the girls’ father is opposed to splitting up the group and allowing Emily to break free and pursue her solo career. He is dead set on keeping the triotogether.”

“I understood that, and that is why I offered to secure bookings for thetrio.”

“But I come to you with the need to change this arrangement. I want to ask you if you have any idea about how we might make some provision for the other two sisters to have some sort of a musical career separate from Emily? Miss Emily wants desperately to have her own career as a concert soloist, but she feels obligated to secure a living in music for her sisters before she breaksaway.”

“Isee.”

“Might you have any ideas as to how this might beaccomplished?”

Silas puffed on his pipe, lost in thought. Finally, he removed the pipe, tapped the spent tobacco into an ashtray, and said, “I do understand Emily’s predicament. She is supremely talented. I might have an idea or two. Leave it with me for a few days and I will see what I might be able to come upwith.”

Giles stood. He did not know why, but he felt uncomfortable in Silas’s presence. He wanted to leave as quickly as possible. “You might reach me at my studio if you have any solutions. And I look forward to your successful conclusion to Emily’sdilemma.”

“I will be in contact shortly. Good-day Mr.Carter.”

* * *

After Giles left, Silas had a large grin.What a lovely development,he thought.With the sisters out of the way, I shall have a much better chance of meeting with Miss Emily on my own. What a charming lass. A bit uncooperative. But I can change that with my undeniable charm. So fresh. So ripe. Just waiting to be plucked from the tree and consumed.Silas relit his pipe. He sat back in his chair and contemplated the joys that Miss Emilyoffered.

Chapter 9

My darling sister,” Mark exclaimed as he entered his sister, Alice’s, drawing room—a delightful, bright and spacious room that felt warm, welcoming, andcomfortable.