Page 68 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Emily turned to leave but stopped and turned back, asking, “And exactly where is the musicroom?”

Mark laughed and he turned and motioned for Wesley to comeover.

“Yes, Your Grace?” heasked.

“Please accompany Miss Emily to the music room and make certain she is notdisturbed.”

“Certainly.”

Wesley led the way and, as Emily passed by Silas, he smiled at her andnodded.

After Emily left, Mark abandoned the hovering mothers and daughters and went over toSilas.

“Uncle we need to talk,” Mark saidsternly.

“Talk away,” Silas saidjauntily.

“Not with others about. This is a privatetalk.”

“Oh, dear. Trouble. And, by the way, why did you exclude me from your conversation with the gentlemen at tea? Certainly, I should have been included in that meeting—for it was a meeting about Miss Emily, was itnot?”

“It was. But, as you previously stated to me, your interest is in the trio, not promoting MissEmily.”

“Yes, but I believe you might also be thinking of arranging a tour in Great Britain for her this upcoming season. And you would need to come to me for that,no?”

“How do you know that?” Markasked.

“Alice mentioned something aboutthat.”

Mark was conflicted. He wanted to scold his uncle over his behavior to Emily, but he also might need his help with an Englishtour.

“Yes… Well… That cannot be determined until we have the European tour in place and know what her schedule might be. There may not even be a need for an English tour for the season comingup.”

“And where did Miss Emily go just now?” Silasasked.

“She went to rehearse for the recital this evening. And I advise you to leave her alone. She needs to concentrate and needs no distractions from you or anyoneelse.”

Silas threw his hands in the air. “Far be it from me to intrude on her sacredpractice.”

Silas turned away and headed over to the mothers and daughters who were still hoping for an audience with HisGrace.

* * *

After her practice and before her bath, Emily went to the salon where the recital was to take place. She wanted to inspect the piano she would be using and sat down to try out the action of the keys. It was a superb instrument and she was very pleased. When she was finished, she stopped to raise the piano’s lid and prop it open to be ready for herperformance.

As she was leaving to go to her room, the salon door opened and Miss Sophie camein.

“I saw you come in here,” she said, “And I wondered if we might have aword?”

“Hello, Sophie, it is nice to see you at this weekend,” Emilysaid.

“Is there any reason I should not behere?”

“None at all. But it is pleasant to see you again. Have you beenwell?”

“Well enough,” Sophie said as she wandered the room touching the backs of chairs andsofas.

A number of straight back chairs had been set up in preparation for the recital, and Emily sat down on one. “Come sit with me,” Emily said, patting the chair next toher.