Page 25 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)

A fter enjoying port and good conversation, Jacob followed Devon and Easton into the parlor.

He wanted to dislike Easton for his attention to Miss Parker, but he was so very affable.

There was really no cause to dislike the young man, but his ire had been piqued when Easton managed to be the recipient of several stunning smiles from Miss Parker during dinner while Jacob had barely gotten two smiles out of her in all the time he’d known her.

How did Easton do that so effortlessly? Jacob could see nothing out of the ordinary about the man, but Miss Parker seemed to be enjoying herself immensely talking with him.

“Ah, there you are, my dear,” Lady Devon said. “I thought you gentlemen were going to spend all night drinking your port.”

Lord Devon walked to his wife, picked up her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “My sincere apologies, my darling. We were enthralled, listening to stories of New York. Fletcher has had quite the life thus far. ”

“Is that so, Lord Fletcher?” Lady Devon asked.

“Merely a different life, my lady. Nothing extraordinary.”

“Well, not many men can keep my husband’s attention for so long, so I commend you.”

Jacob inclined his head. “Thank you. It’s kind of you to say.”

“While I have your attention, my daughter has asked Miss Parker to join us at a musicale tomorrow evening. However, Miss Parker informed us that she needs your permission to attend.”

“Oh? I’ve received no invitation for a musicale, Lady Devon.”

“Do not worry about that. Lady Castor is a friend of mine, and she will have no problem issuing an invitation.”

Jacob looked at Miss Parker. She was her usual reserved self, and he couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but it was Lady Katherine’s face that he couldn’t turn away from.

She had a look of such hope that he could not in all good conscience deny her Miss Parker’s company.

It would also be a chance for Miss Parker to finally decide whether she wanted a Season or not. “Of course she may go.”

He saw Lady Kathryn squeeze Miss Parker’s hand and knew he’d made the right decision.

Lady Devon looked at her son. “Easton, you shall accompany us.”

Easton looked quite pleased, and he smiled at Miss Parker. “Of course. I’d be delighted, Mother. ”

The fact that she smiled back sealed the deal for Jacob.

He did not care for the gleam in Easton’s eyes at the prospect of spending the evening with his ward.

“There’s no need for Easton to attend, Lady Devon.

I’ll be happy to escort Miss Parker,” he said.

The last thing he wanted was for Audrey to become more enthralled with the young viscount.

Lady Devon clapped. “That’s wonderful, my lord. Lady Castor will be thrilled to be the first to host the new Lord Fletcher at a ton event. She will be the talk of the town. I shall have my carriage come around to fetch you both, and we can arrive together.”

“Whatever you think is best, Lady Devon,” Jacob said. He had no idea if his presence at a musicale could rise to the importance Lady Devon claimed, but he would do whatever he must for the opportunity to be in Audrey’s company for the evening.

“Good. Now that’s decided, Lady Kathryn, will you play for our guests this evening?” Lady Devon asked her daughter.

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Audrey was thrilled that Jacob had agreed to accompany her to the musicale, but she felt her friend stiffen beside her at her mother’s request..

She wanted to help her overcome her anxiety. “Lady Kathryn, may I turn the pages for you?”

Kathryn immediately smiled, and it transformed her face. She would never be considered beautiful by the ton, but that didn’t matter to Audrey. Lady Kathryn was a lovely young woman, and she was beginning to like her newfound friend a great deal.

“That would be most welcome. Thank you, Miss Parker.”

The two young women walked over to the pianoforte, and Lady Kathryn took a seat on the bench. “I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered. “I don’t know why Mother asked. She knows I get so nervous performing for others.”

“I know you can do it. Pay no mind to anything else. I’m here with you, and that’s all you need to concentrate on.”

“I’ll try.” Kathryn placed her fingers on the keys.

“That’s it. Now focus on the music and nothing else,” Audrey said. “Let the music fill your soul with joy.”

Kathryn nodded and began to play, haltingly at first, until she found her rhythm. By the end of the piece, her confidence was soaring.

“Bravo. You did wonderful,” Audrey said, whispering in her ear while the others exploded in applause.

“You were right. I focused only on the music, and my nervousness lessened,” Kathryn said.

“That’s the secret. Let go of your fears and let the music fill you.”

“Thank you, Audrey.”

“My pleasure.”

The two women had started to walk back to the sitting area when Jacob addressed Audrey .

“Miss Parker, perhaps you’d play for us as well,” he said.

Audrey felt a moment of panic as she looked at him.

What was he doing? She didn’t want to upstage her new friend, but the real reason for her hesitation was that she felt the same anxiety that had gripped Kathryn, as she’d never played for anyone besides family before.

The only reason Jacob knew she played at all was that he’d heard her play when she’d been deeply engrossed in the melody, and she hadn’t known he was standing in the doorway.

All eyes were focused on her, and her nerves threatened to overwhelm her, but she certainly didn’t want to offend their hosts by refusing. Could she take her own advice and merely focus on the music? “Of course. I’d be delighted,” she said with a slight quiver to her voice.

Kathryn walked back to the pianoforte with her. “Do you require sheet music? I’m sure there’s something here you can use.”

Audrey shook her head. “There’s no need. I know the song quite well. Will you stay with me?”

“Of course.”

She took a deep breath and began. Her fingers flew across the keys, and when she began to sing, there was silence in the room. She let the music carry her away and fill her with joy.

When she played the final note, she looked at her new friend.

Kathryn had tears in her eyes. “Audrey, I’ve never heard anything so beautiful in my life. You were magnificent.”

“Thank you, Kathryn. That’s very kind of you to say.”

“Believe me, it’s not merely kindness. It is the truth. You’re truly talented.”

The room erupted in applause, startling the two young women. “Oh my, I forgot anyone else was here,” Kathryn said with a chuckle.

Audrey stood and curtseyed. “Thank you, everyone.”

Lady Devon patted the cushion next to her on the sofa. “Miss Parker, come sit with me for a moment.

Audrey walked over and took a seat beside her while Kathryn took a seat opposite them.

“My dear, I’ve never heard anything so beautiful. You have the voice of an angel,” Lady Devon said. “I’ve listened to a lot of young ladies play over the years, but I’ve never heard anyone quite as skilled as you.”

“I hardly think that’s true, Lady Devon.”

“I agree with Lady Devon,” Jacob said. “Every time I hear Miss Parker sing, I’m amazed at her talent.”

Audrey glanced at Jacob, his words filling her heart with happiness. It was the first time she’d seen him smile all evening. Perhaps his iciness towards her was thawing, and they could finally talk about what had happened in the garden on the carriage ride home.

After enjoying a bit more conversation, Jacob and Audrey were ready to leave and thanked their hosts for a lovely and enjoyable evening.

“I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” Kathryn said .

“As do I.” Audrey turned to Lady Devon. “I will think about all you’ve told me, my lady. I appreciate you sharing your wise counsel.”

“Tomorrow’s musicale will be a good test of whether ton activities are to your liking, my dear,” Lady Devon said. “Until tomorrow, then.”

Jacob shook hands with Devon and Easton before escorting Audrey out to Lord Devon’s carriage, which the earl had graciously offered the use of to take them home. It would be more comfortable and smell much better than a hired hackney.

Audrey hoped that during the ride, she and Jacob could discuss their kiss; however, if she’d expected him to acknowledge it, she was mistaken.

She wished he had not been interrupted when they first arrived at the Devons’ townhome because she was sure he was going to talk about their kiss, but now he remained silent and looked out the window.

Tears blurred her eyes, but she managed to blink them back. She did not want Jacob to see her cry.

When they arrived home, Jacob handed her down.

Her disappointment was so great, she fled into the house and up to her bedchamber without even saying goodnight.

She couldn’t bear to look at him one moment longer, knowing there was a good chance that he didn’t care for her as she cared for him. Devastation threatened to engulf her.

It broke her heart, but she would persevere, just like she’d done every other time something dreadful happened.

However, there wasn’t anything she could do to fix the situation.

Jacob—no, Lord Fletcher, as she must think of him now—had made it clear to her that he regretted kissing her, and all she could do was keep moving forward.

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Jacob watched Miss Parker flee up the grand staircase as he followed her into the house.

He had worked up the courage to talk about the kiss, but his timing had been terrible, and he was interrupted.

He never should have waited so long. Now he felt even more embarrassed.

Was it too late to try to rectify the situation?

During the ride home, he’d tried to think of the perfect words without stammering to convey his growing admiration for her.

But, for the first time in his life, words had failed him.

He’d never been tongue-tied before, so why would the words not come to him when the most important woman in his life sat on the opposite seat?

He suspected Miss Parker had wanted to discuss their shared kiss, but he didn’t know how to tell her that it was the most memorable kiss of his life after having told her his actions were inexcusable.

He should just tell her how he felt, but men didn’t go around sputtering such things.

That was best left to the poets, and a poet he certainly was not.

He’d made a mess of things again, and he hated seeing the hurt look on her face.

He walked down the hall to his study and poured himself a generous portion of brandy before taking a seat in the wing chair by the fireplace.

He thought about everything that had happened this evening—Miss Parker’s easy rapport with Easton, the smiles she gave him, and how gracious she was with Lady Kathryn.

However, whenever he’d caught her glancing at him, her smile had disappeared, and she’d turned away.

He’d thought asking her to play the pianoforte would somehow reveal to her how much he admired her and enjoyed her company, but even that gesture had apparently missed the mark.

She was brilliant, of course, as he’d known she would be, but she’d had no welcoming smile for him when she finished.

It was another dagger to his heart.

He downed his brandy in one gulp before heading up to his bedchamber.

He readily admitted, as he climbed the stairs, that jealousy had reared its ugly head this evening when Easton paid attention to her.

Was that what had stifled the right words to convince her she was becoming more important to him than just his ward?

He vowed to do better. He couldn’t lose the most incredible woman he’d ever met.