Page 43 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Alice asked quite casually, “And what are your impressions of mybrother?”

Emily considered her words carefully. “He is most charming, intelligent, and seems verycapable.”

“And that is all? That description would fit almost any ordinary gentleman. Certainly, you must have more clearly defined impressions of him bynow.”

“He is very handsome, that goes without saying. And I am impressed that he has taken such an interest in my concert playing. I would be greatly in his debt if he were able to successfully arrange mytour.

“Then you find himattractive?”

Emily hesitated, but said, “Very much so, but that means little as he and Miss Sophie are intended for each other by the family. Is that not theunderstanding?”

“It is. But that arrangement hangs by a most tenuousthread.”

Emily felt her pulse race and thought she might be blushing. “Is that a fact? By all impressions, Miss Sophie exhibited a most definite interest in HisGrace.”

“I am certain she does, but I have reason to believe it is notreciprocated.”

The maid came into the dining room at that point, cleared the dishes and asked, “Will you be having a sweet,Madam?”

“We have a delightful cream cake left over from last night. Might you like ataste?”

“But only just a taste. The lunch was delicious butfilling.”

“Two please,” she instructed thegirl.

Alice seemed to be done with her questioning of Emily about Mark, and she asked, “How would you feel about a four-hand piano duet after lunch? I should love to play withyou.”

“That sounds lovely. Do you have a piece inmind?”

“The Schubert four-handFantasia.”

“Delightful. I should enjoy that. But what about the boys? They will not sleep long willthey?”

“I have instructed one of the servant girls to keep watch over them if they wake. I fully intend for us to have an enjoyable afternoon playing, singing, and creating our ownhavoc.”

Emily hesitated, “I do not know about singing. I have been told I have the voice of atoad.”

“But they are beautiful singers,” Alicelaughed.

After lunch they headed to the sitting room and sat at the piano. Emily was having a wonderful time. Alice was so much lighter and more fun than either of Emily’s sisters, who were always more intense or distracted. They played music for nearly an hour before Alice called for astop.

“Oh, my, you quite outdo me. I am nowhere nearly accomplished as you are and I am afraid I am alreadyfatigued.”

“You should have told me. We canstop.”

Alice turned on the bench to face Emily. “You know, my dear new friend, there are any number of people I should like to introduce you to. Many in the music business and other related arts. I must have a dinner or a party or an outing soon. Perhaps even a weekend at Linfield Hall. I know Mark would love to host such an event, as he knows so many of the lovely folks I want you tomeet.”

“That soundsdelightful.”

“We need to start grooming you for, not only success, but for the society that you will inhabit once you are the talk ofLondon.”

Emily looked at her questioningly, “Why are you being so kind and gracious tome?”

“Because I already adore you, dear friend. And I want to help however I can. Just as others have helped me,” she leaned in and knocked her shoulder against Emily’s, “and my dear friend ReginaldBlake.”

That sent them bothlaughing.

“You shall become my protégé and I shall tout you as the sensation of the London musicalworld.”