Page 84 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“Papa, I want to go to the rehearsal with Ruth and Teresa,” Emily announced. “I have not seen Linton in a while and I want to see how the trio is doing. Have you heard them playrecently?”

“I stopped by a rehearsal last week. They are working on some new pieces, and it seems to be going well. But it is not the same withoutyou.”

“And that is one reason I want to go. I believe Linton is very talented and I might be able to give him and my sisters some pointers forimproving.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” he said, as he finished off his kipper and eggs and drained the last of his cup oftea.

Emily stood up from thetable.

“Have you finished your breakfast?” heasked.

“Yes, Papa, I have. And I need some time to organize my thoughts from the weekend.” She turned to Ruth. “Sister, when you and Teresa are ready to leave for rehearsal, let me know and I shall be ready to go withyou.”

Ruthnodded.

Papa asked, “And will you be in attendance this evening when we meet Ruth’s young gentlemen? Mother tells me this morning that you have had some previous interaction with him. I should value yourinput.”

“I most certainlyshall.”

* * *

Giles had been excited to see Emily again since she was no longer with the trio. She had not worked with him as her teacher for a few weeks with all of her otheractivities.

Emily sat quietly through the rehearsal and, along with Giles, gave her comments and suggestions about their performance when the rehearsal ended. Linton came over to where Emily was chatting with Giles and said, “It has been so long since I have seen you. I thought perhaps you had given up onme.”

Emily took his hand. “Oh, not at all. But I was preparing day and night, it seemed, to be ready with my audition for Monsieur Bellieu, and then, when that failed, I needed to work even harder for my recital at LinfieldHall.”

“And it was successful?” he asked since they had not had the opportunity to discuss the results of her visit before therehearsal.

“Very much so,” she said with asmile.

“I should very much like to hear all the details. Might we have tea at our favoriteteashop?”

Emily cast a quick glance at Teresa, but said, “Yes, that would be nice. But might we also include my sisters, as Teresa has not yet heard me tell my fullstory?”

Linton looked a little disappointed but said, “Ofcourse.”

“Not me,” Ruth said. “Papa insisted I return home immediately after rehearsal. Sosorry.”

Teresa looked like she was desperate to join them, but she, too, declined. “Papa insisted I accompany Ruth home. He does not want Ruth escaping to Bristol before thisevening.”

Emily laughed. “I think that is hardly likely—is itRuth?”

“Do not be too certain of that,” Ruth said with a wrysmile.

“Butyouwill still have tea with me?” Linton askedEmily.

“Ofcourse.”

* * *

Linton was fascinated with Emily’s story of her looming European tour as they sat at tea. It was clear he had similar aspirations forhimself.

Emily asked, “Have you been back to our café? I had such a good time there playing withyou.”

“Only once. But it was not the same without you. And the owner insisted I bring you back again as soon aspossible.”

“That was fun. We should plan another visit soon. And maybe we could work up some materialtogether.”