Page 60 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Mark stood back, seeming not to want to intrude, but to let her settle into her pre-performance routine. Alice did much the same, standing by with her arms crossed andwatching.

Emily began to play a Chopin etude when the front doorbellrang.

The maid showed Andre into the room. He glanced around the room and saw Emily at thepiano.

“And you must be Miss Dunn,” he said, going over, taking her hand and kissingit.

“Monsieur Bellieu, what a pleasure,” Emilysaid.

Andre then nodded to Alice and Mark and turned back to Emily. “Well, I cannot tell you how much I have been looking forward to this meeting. Are you going to enchantme?”

“That is certainly my intention,” Emily said withconfidence.

Alice came over and asked, “Would you like some tea, Andre, before webegin?”

“I think after would be better. Let me hear the young lady play and then we can relax. I am quite certain she will be more relaxed after she performs. Is that not so, MissDunn?”

“Whatever suits you thebest.”

“Excellent. Then shall webegin?”

Alice escorted Andre to a row of chairs that had been arranged for listening. She joined Mark and Andre and they settled in for theconcert.

Emily introduced each piece of music she was to play and the audition proceeded smoothly and without any problems. And when she had finally finished, she let the last note reverberate into silence before turning to heraudience.

Andre sat with his chin resting on his folded hands staring at her with pensive knitted brows. Alice and Mark’s hands were poised for applause as they turned to see Andre’s reaction. But he wasunmoved.

Finally, he said, “Thank you, Miss Emily. That was a splendideffort.”

Splendid effort?Emily was stricken. Had it been thatbad?

Mark turned to Andre and trembled as he asked, “Splendid effort? Is that all you thought itwas?”

Andre, ever the professional said, “Yes, only a splendid effort.” He went over to Emily and continued, “There is no doubt you are gifted, Miss Emily, but you are not yet ready to be a solo performer on the professional concert stage. I cannot, in a good conscious, offer to book you a European tour at this time. Perhaps in a year or two, after you have acquired more experience as a solo performer. But, as of now, you are not ready. I am so sorry to have to deliver to you this upsetting news. But that is how itis.”

Andre returned to Mark and Alice and said, “Thank you, Your Grace, for this opportunity.” He turned to Alice and took her hand. “Madam Savoy, thank you for hosting the audition. And good day to all of you. I shall not keep you anylonger.”

Mark was not yet ready to let Andre leave, and restrained him by theshoulder.

“Monsieur Bellieu, I have to say I do not agree with your assessment of Miss Emily’s performance. I thought it wasmagnificent.”

“As did I,” Aliceadded.

Andre acknowledged their comments with a nod. “I am certain you did. However, neither of you are professional concert promotors and I am sorry to say we have a different standard for what we feel is acceptable. Good day, ladies, YourGrace.”

And with that, he took his walking stick and swept out of theroom.

The three were in shock and turned to look at each other. Finally, Mark went over to Emily who was barely able to speak as she still sat at the piano uncertain what to do next. He put his arm on her shoulder and said, “We must certainly consider his opinion, as he is, indeed, aprofessional.”

“But so am I,” Alice spoke up, “And I would venture to say I know every bit as much about professional musicians as hedoes.”

“But he has much more experience with my situation,” Emily said softly, just now beginning to assimilate the blow. “The two of you have been very supportive, but perhaps biased in my favor. What we have just had was a professional and unbiasedassessment.”

“I think we need to examine our other options,” Mark said. “I have many other contacts. Fear not, dear Miss Emily, this is not overyet.”

“I think I should like that tea now,” Emily said. “I definitely need some fortification, and there is nothing like agood cuppa, is that notso?”

Alice laughed, breaking the tension. “I could not agree more.” And she rang the bell for themaid.