Page 53 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“If I were not a musician, I would have been achef.”

“Now that is a surprise,” Emilysaid.

“And why isthat?”

“The two professions seem so remote from oneanother.”

“Not at all. Flavors are like notes and can be played like an orchestra to create harmony ordissonance.”

Emily laughed. “Oh, my, I do like the way youthink.”

“And I like everything about you,” Linton said with a largegrin.

Emily blushed slightly as the waiter came over to take theirorders.

And, while they were waiting, the first musicians took to the small stage and began to play. It was a merry group of two men and two women. They played fiddles, an accordion, and a guitar. The songs bordered on the bawdy and now it was Linton’s turn toblush.

“Oh, my, I had no idea there would bethattype of music thisevening.”

Emily was vigorously tapping her foot and waved her hand, dismissing hisworry.

The food was, indeed, delicious and after they had consumed a delicious sweet, Linton called the waiter over and whispered something tohim.

The waiter nodded and went to speak to the proprietor, who nodded and went up to the stage and waited for the current act to finish. And then he announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, our next act is for solo piano. And let me hear your warm welcome for Mister LintonHawthorn.”

Emily was surprised as Linton stood up and walked up to thestage.

“Thank you, and now I am going to perform a few dances, so if any of you folks wish to take a turn on the floor, please feel free. I have the owner’s permission—so enjoyyourselves.”

He began to play and soon a number of couples began to dance to his livelywaltzes.

He played for about fifteen minutes nonstop when he turned to the audience and said, “And now I would like to introduce a fellow musician, who I am inviting to come up here and play a few numbers with me. Ladies and Gentlemen, Emily Dunn, who will soon be touring Europe performing in majorcapitals.”

Emily was not just surprised, she was shocked. But he waved for her to come up, and as the applause encouraged her, she stood and went to sit beside Linton at thepiano.

“Oh, Linton,” she said, “What are we to play? We have rehearsed nothingtogether.”

“Just follow me. It will befun.”

He began to play a sprightly little melody that she did not know, but she was able to play bass chords that harmonized with his improvisation. She found it to be a lot of fun. And when they were finished, after another fifteen minutes, they ended up to a rousingapplause.

They took their bows and returned to their table. They were both laughing heartily as they satdown.

“That was fun,” Emily said and meantit.

“I hoped you might enjoy it. Sorry, I did not alert you to what I had planned, but I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said as he reached across the table and took herhand.

The proprietor, a large hulking man, came over to their table and addressed Emily. “You are wonderful. Are you going to play that music when you tour?” heasked.

“No, I am a classicalpianist.”

“Too bad. I like very much what you played. Maybe you do some in your concerts,no?”

“Emily laughed. “But I will not have my very capable partner touring with me. I do not think it would bepossible.”

The proprietor waved his hand. “If you not like your tour, you both come back here and play for me. You will always bewelcome.”

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