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The proof was quite plain—the man she’d spent the afternoon with and who rescued the child was not Mr. Woodland, but Dominic Lawrence.

Once the water had splashed all over him, the powder in his hair had been removed, revealing his true colors.

She now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the clergyman was indeed, Lord Hawthorne.

Whatever reason he had for playing the preacher, she didn’t know, but at this point, she’d let him believe he had fooled her. Until, of course, she discovered what was really going on.

Tabitha and Sally had a nice little visit with Mr. Jacobs and his daughter earlier this afternoon.

He really was a nice man, and eager to please.

Then again, she had heard that he was searching for a wife.

Tabitha didn’t want to give him the impression that she would be open for an offer, but nonetheless, she did have a pleasant visit.

When she and Sally had arrived back at Aunt Clara’s, Mrs. Stiles had plenty for them to do.

They headed back into town to do some shopping while Aunt Clara rested.

Mrs. Stiles was such a busybody, chatting with everyone who walked by.

She was also very forgetful, Tabitha noticed, because the older woman insisted on introducing Tabitha to everyone she’d met last evening at her aunt’s party.

Thankfully, Tabitha didn’t have to say anything because the others mentioned to Mrs. Stiles that they had previously met Tabitha.

By now the news of Joanna’s rescue had spread through town.

A lot of people were happy to hear that Mr. Woodland had saved the girl, and they oohed and ahhed over his heroics.

Hearing how proud these people were of Nic grated on Tabitha’s nerves a little.

Mainly, because it surprised her that he would think of someone other than himself.

A niggle of doubt crept into her head, and she was almost ashamed for disliking him so much.

Another part of the rescue that had the town buzzing with curiosity was when Tabitha had assisted Mr. Jacobs home and stayed in his house for three hours. It didn’t matter to them that her maid was with her the whole time; these people couldn’t stop chatting about it.

Tabitha couldn’t believe how many people had something to say about the kind and lonely Mr. Jacobs and how he needed a good wife to help him raise his precious daughter.

Although Tabitha agreed with them, she didn’t want to be considered a candidate for the position like everyone seemed to believe she was already.

Their journey into town lasted longer than Tabitha wanted, and by the time they returned home, she was exhausted. While Sally helped Mrs. Stiles prepare dinner in the kitchen, Tabitha wandered into the music room. The pianoforte beckoned her to sit and run her fingers along the keys.

While she and her mother had worked for Lady Mathis, the old woman had taught Tabitha how to play.

She hadn’t touched the musical instrument since.

Yet, memories resurfaced of those lovely, enjoyable years—before her life had been ruined by Lord Elliot—and she wanted nothing more than to see if she remembered how to play.

Sitting on a small table beside the pianoforte was a stack of music. She looked through the papers until she found one she remembered. It had been the first piece of music she’d memorized. She had played it all the time for Diana’s grandmother.

Happiness lifted her heart as she opened the pages and set them in front of her on the pianoforte.

She prepared her fingers to play, and slowly began.

She stumbled with the tune at first, making mistakes as she progressed, but soon it all came back to her.

Nobody could consider her a talented performer, but at least she could play to her own satisfaction.

She closed her eyes and was able to finish the piece from memory.

Tears gathered in her eyes, but from joy, and she was grateful to have been able to play, and grateful that she had such cherished memories mixed in with those nightmarish years she’d rather soon forget.

Perhaps in time, those good memories would override the bad.

From behind her, someone began clapping. Startled, she jumped and turned toward the doorway.

Lord Hawthorne, still dressed as the clergyman, walked toward her. His smile grew the closer he came.

“Miss Tabitha, you play as well as sing.” He shook his head. “I definitely need your help every Sunday.” He winked.

Her heart fluttered, and she cursed her weakness. Why couldn’t she stop her body from reacting this way when he winked at her?

“Mr. Woodland, when will you give up?” She turned in the stool toward him. “I told you I don’t perform in public.”

“Such a shame that others won’t be able to partake of your talent.” He stopped near the pianoforte and ran his fingers across the edge. “You played that piece so beautifully. It’s been a while since I’ve heard it. Thank you for making my heart glad.”

“Thank you for the compliment.” She really didn’t know what to say. If she was rude to him, he’d realize that she knew his little secret. “Do you play?” She motioned her head toward the musical instrument.

“Indeed, I do.”

“Then please,” she stood and moved away, “play something and entertain me.”

He stared into her eyes as if trying to read her mind.

Uncomfortable, she shifted from one foot to the other, twisting her hands against her middle.

She wished he wouldn’t look at her like that.

It was bad enough that his wink made her heart flip, but his exhilarating blue-gray eyes were her downfall.

If she stared into them for too long, she’d melt.

She must keep in mind what kind of a man he really was.

“I would love to play something for you.” He moved away from her and sat behind the pianoforte.

Taking a relieved breath, she walked to the front of the musical instrument so she could watch his face as he played.

He didn’t need the sheets of paper, because once his fingers stroked the keys, music poured from the instrument.

Through his serious expression, she could see the love he had for this song and the enjoyment it gave him while he played.

A few times he had closed his eyes, but when they opened, he looked directly at her.

She found she couldn’t stop watching his expressive face, and her heart pounded in rhythm with the music.

He had literally entranced her. This particular piece didn’t have words, but she could feel the emotion as he played.

Heavens, he was good…just as his husky singing voice had nearly made her swoon last night.

Were all men like this? Some of his qualities were perfect. If only he wasn’t such a judgmental rogue!

Once he ended that tune, he immediately started another one.

This one she’d heard before, but she couldn’t recall where.

However, she did know the words, but hesitated to sing them.

It didn’t stop Nic. His voice caressed each word of the love song as if he meant what he sang about. Which of course, she knew he didn’t.

When he started the second verse, he paused and said, “Are you going to join me this time? I can tell you know this song.”

Curse him for reading me so well, and curse me for giving in so easily! She arched an eyebrow and started singing with him. Remarkably, the words came easily. It was as if she was meant to sing with him.

His smile stretched until the song ended. Clapping, he stared into her eyes. “Brava, my lovely Tabitha. Your voice melted my heart.”

Pain twisted in her chest. He’d called her my lovely, which was the irritating nickname he’d given her six months ago. If she didn’t dislike him so much, she’d….she’d… Quickly, she shook that thought out of her head. Plain and simple, she did dislike him, and she would not fall for his charm again!