Page 87 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Papa and Mother were seated side by side in their identical chairs facing directly forward. Ruth and Spencer were seated in straight-backed chairs immediately before them. Teresa sat to the side, knitting for her needy, and Emily stood at the fireplace so she could view the whole scene like the referee at a tennismatch.

“Mr. Trilby,” Papa began, “Why have you not presented yourself to her family beforenow?”

A difficult and awkward question for Spencer to answer, Emily considered, keeping an inwardscore.

“It is not because I did not want to, or because I had any reservations about my feelings for your daughter. But it was out of respect toyou.”

Emily believed that to be an excellent answer—fifteen-love toSpencer.

This seemed to take Papa aback slightly. “Oh? And how would respect for me prevent you from introducingyourself?”

First score for Papa, Emilythought.

“Because, sir, I did not want you to meet me until I was fully qualified in my profession and could make it clear to you that I could and would properly care for your daughter’s well-being.”

Another score for the youngman.

Papa now turned to Ruth. “Daughter, and just how do you plan to be married and continue on with the Trio at the same time? Especially if you are to be living in Bristol—of allplaces.”

Ruth looked stricken. She had not expected to answer any questions herself. However, Spencer spoke up for her, and the look of relief on Ruth’s face waspriceless.

“She will have a schedule of the concerts and my family’s carriage will be made available to her for each concertdate.”

“And what about rehearsals? She cannot rehearse regularly as she doesnow.”

Very bad. Definitely a point forPapa.

Spencer seemed not to have an answer for that, but added. “That we shall have to arrange. Perhaps a week or so over the course of the concert season can be set aside forrehearsals.”

Only a fair answer. It is definitely a thirty-thirtytie.

“Hmm.” Father seemed todisapprove.

Then quite surprisingly, Mother spoke up. “And do your parents approve of this marriage? I assume you have spoken tothem, at least, about yourplans?”

“I have, and they met her when they came to visit me in London last month—it was mybirthday.”

That appeared to shock both parents, and Papa said, “And why did you not introduce us to them at thattime?”

“How could I? Ruthie and I were not engaged at that point, but I wanted them to meet her, so we had tea together at mylodging.”

No points scored,Emily decided.Still atie.

Then out of nowhere, Teresa raised her hand and asked, “And what if I wanted to get married,too?”

Both parents looked at her,astonished.

Then she spoke more words than anyone had heard from her in months. “You two are really being quite mean to Ruth. Why should she not marry? Why should she not leave the trio if she wants? Why should I not as well? Do you really expect the trio to survive what you know is to be inevitable? We will marry and have families. The trio has been fine while we were children and young adults, but Emily is gone, Ruth is about to flee, and you must both wake up to the fact that we are no longer children and must have our own lives. Is that so very hard to understand? I do not think any of us, except for Emily, want to do this anyway. Maybe it is time to let the triogo.”

Game, set, match! Good for you Teresa. There is hope for youyet.

Teresa had exploded her bomb and passively gone back to herknitting.

Papa stood. He seemed not to know what to say. He looked down at Mother and sheshrugged.

It was now time for Emily to enter the fray. “Well. We have been dancing around this issue for weeks if not months, and now it is out. Seriously, might it not be time to disband thetrio?”

Papa looked as though he might have a stroke. He put his hand to his heart, but no one died. Instead, he sat back down, his jaw dropping and worked his mouth as though he was trying to speak but nothing cameout.