Page 55 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“I am not as familiar with that aspect of her process; however, when you meet her, you may quiz her yourself. And I warn you, she is immensely charming, quick-witted, and I know you will beimpressed.”

The serving girl brought in the tea and the conversation was interrupted for a few moments while the tea wasserved.

As the conversation had halted Andre pulled out a notebook, consulted it and added, “Today is Tuesday. I can be available to meet her on Thursday or Friday. Is this a good venue to hear herplay?”

“Most certainly, and we have a very fine piano, which is kept constantlytuned.”

“Excellent. Then shall we say Thursday? And in case I need others to see her, could we also make Friday available as a backup?” He turned to Alice. “If that meets with your approval? I do not wish to monopolize your home ortime.”

“I am delighted to be able to help my dear friend in any way I can. The salon is for youruse.”

“Excellent.”

Chapter 16

Emily was in the family washroom brushing Teresa’s hair, which was filled withsnags.

“Ouch,” Teresa cried out. “Thathurts.”

“Do you ever brush your hair? It is like a rat’snest.”

“It takes too muchtime.”

“And it very badly needs a washing. Honestly, Teresa, you are a mess. However do you hope to attract a young man looking as youdo?”

“I only want to attract a certain young man,” she said looking up at Emily with a pleadinglook.

“Dear sister, it is not a good idea to have a romantic attachment to someone you are workingwith.”

“And why would that be?” she asked, as her head was pulled to the side by Emily vigorously pulling on thebrush.

“Because it can causeproblems.”

“What sort of problems?” Teresainsisted.

Emily sighed. “It can cause complications. Any romance has its ups and downs and you do not want to bring that dynamic into your work. And most especially in music where you have to work smoothly together and there has to be a free and easy give and take. A romance between colleagues can become as tangled a mess as this crop of hair you havegrown.”

“But I want him to at leastlikeme,” shepleaded.

There was a knock at the washroomdoor.

“Emily? Are you in there?” It was theirmother.

“Yes, mother. What is it? I am busy with Teresa just now trying to make her into a fairly presentable humanbeing.”

“The Duke of Edgerton is here to see you. He says it is about some sort of audition or other. Can you come down now? I offered him tea, but he has refusedit.”

“Very well. Tell him I will be with himshortly.”

Emily found her pulse quickening and a warm glow infusing her body at the thought of seeing the Duke again. Emily stopped brushing and put the brush down on the washtable.

“Oh, Teresa, what am I to do with you? Why not wash your hair while I visit with the Duke and then we can try once again when Ireturn.”

Teresa pointed to several jars of color on the table. “Are we going to use those?” she askedbrightly.

“Once we begin to see an improvement. Otherwise, it is like putting a party hat on adonkey.”

Mother was still outside the door and began rapping lightly on the door with her knuckle. “Are you coming, Emily? Must not keep His Gracewaiting.”