Page 59 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Papa whispered, “I am so excited for you,” and then gave her a kiss on thecheek.

Emily had found it surprising how quickly her father had come around to accepting her potential new career. He had sat with her each evening as she practiced, encouraging her, and turning pages for her, even though she had all of her pieces for the auditionmemorized.

“All the very best, my darling,” Mother said, waving her handkerchief as the Duke escorted her to hiscarriage.

Emily turned to glance at her family before she mounted the carriage. She realized she was on the threshold of a new life and she wanted to have one last glance at her current life before it allchanged.

Settled into the carriage, Mark said, “I stopped by to see Alice yesterday, and she is all atwitter about your audition today. Everything is ready for you. She had the piano tuned yesterday afternoon and she has sent the boys to her husband’s parents so there is no possibility fordistraction.”

“How generous and kind sheis.”

Mark put his hand on Emily’s. “Are younervous?”

She shot him a glance. “What do you think,” she said with achuckle.

“Here, I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out an old penny. “This is my good luck penny. I am giving it to you so that you may send Monsieur Bellieu into a realm of ecstasy from which he will neverrecover.”

Emily took the penny and examined both sides. “I do not see any magic symbols. It looks like any regular old penny to me,” she said with asmile.

“Ah, but the magic isunseen.”

Emily kissed the penny and slipped it inside her glove. “I have nopockets.”

“But you cannot play the piano with gloves,” hechortled.

“No, but I shall keep it on my person as Iplay.”

“But if you have nopockets…”

“But a Lady can always find a way to conceal anything,” she saidmischievously.

“I best leave thatalone.”

Finally, they arrived at the Savoy residence, and Mark escorted Emily out of the carriage. She was carrying a small folio of music in case she was called upon to sightread.

Alice, herself, answered thedoor.

“My darlings…” she greeted, opening her arms to receivethem.

“Is Monsieur here yet?” Markasked.

“Not yet. But all is ready in the sitting room.” She turned to Emily. “How do youfeel?”

“Squared away and ready toplay.”

Alice took her arm and led the way to the drawingroom.

There was a stunning bouquet of flowers on top of the piano—with several other arrangements around theroom.

“How lovely,” Emily gasped as she removed her shawl and gloves, tucking the penny into her bodice,unseen.

“I wanted the room to be festive for you. But will you need the top of the piano up?” sheasked.

Emily considered. “Perhaps that would bebest.”

Alice went over to the piano and removed the flowers to a nearby table, lifting the top of the piano and propping itopen.

Without saying more, Emily sat at the piano and began running scales to warm up her fingers forplaying.