Page 22 of The Duke’s Duet

Harper stood in the doorway of Brightwood House's ballroom, watching his wife move among their guests with natural grace. Nine months had transformed Melody from a professional performer into the Duchess of Brightwood, yet she had lost none of the passionate spirit that had first captured his heart. If anything, her new position had given her confidence an added dimension - she moved between the different social spheres of their guests with effortless ease, as comfortable discussing Italian opera with visiting musicians as she was exchanging pleasantries with the Countess of Westborough .

The room itself reflected their unique partnership. Elegant aristocrats in their finery mingled with renowned musicians in more bohemian dress. Lady Sophia, who took singing lessons from Melody, chatted animatedly with a celebrated violinist from Vienna. Captain Winters, whose veterans' fund had flourished beyond all expectations, stood deep in conversation with Lord Pembroke about plans for future charitable concerts.

Their unconventional marriage had caused quite the stir initially. But Melody's triumphant performances in Italy, combined with the Dowager Duchess' formidable social influence, had smoothed most ruffled feathers. By the time they’d wed - in a ceremony that blended traditional dignity with musical celebration - even the most rigid members of society had been won over.

"Your wife is quite remarkable." His mother appeared at his elbow, her voice warm with approval. "Look how beautifully she's managed to blend our worlds."

Harper watched as Melody drew a reserved young composer into conversation with several interested patrons. Her genuine love of music and ability to recognise talent had made Brightwood House a centre for artistic patronage - exactly the role his mother had once played in Italy before his father's restrictions.

"She makes everything more alive," he said softly. "Music, conversation, even the simple act of living. It's as if she’s shown me colours I'd forgotten existed."

"And society?" His mother's tone held carefully masked concern. "Have there been any... difficulties?"

"None worth mentioning." He smiled, remembering how Melody had handled the few attempts at condescension. Her combination of genuine artistic knowledge and aristocratic dignity had quickly silenced any critics. "Though I believe that Lady Rutland is still recovering from Melody's masterful critique of her daughter's singing technique."

The Dowager Duchess' laugh held pure delight.

"Ah yes - when she demonstrated the difference between proper breath control and, what did she call it? 'Theatrical gasping?' Most educational."

"Indeed." Harper's eyes followed his wife as she moved towards the pianoforte, where Clara sat talking with Lady Pembroke. "Though I notice that Lady Rutland's daughter's performances have improved considerably since she took Melody's advice."

The evening's formal entertainment had been carefully planned - a mix of professional performers and talented amateurs, each chosen to showcase the bridge between artistic excellence and social acceptance. Harper watched with quiet pride as a young violinist, recently returned from study in Vienna, held the audience spellbound. The boy would never have had such an opportunity before Melody had made their home a sanctuary for musical talent of all backgrounds.

Mr. Piper, seated near the front of the room, beamed with evident satisfaction. His teaching practice had flourished since his daughter's marriage, with society ladies suddenly discovering a desire for their children to study with the Duke's father-in-law. Yet he remained exactly as he had always been - dedicated to music, indifferent to social climbing, proud of his daughter's achievements rather than her title.

"You're woolgathering, dear heart." Melody's voice drew him from his thoughts as she appeared beside him. "Is something troubling you?"

"Quite the opposite." He caught her hand, propriety be damned. After their months apart, he treasured every touch. "I was thinking about how perfectly you've managed what everyone said was impossible."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Impossible? Like a Duke performing publicly? Or a professional musician becoming a Duchess? Or perhaps..." She glanced meaningfully at the crowd. "Like bringing together people who love music, regardless of their social station?"

"All of that and more." He watched as Lady Sophia introduced her rather stiff-necked mother to a celebrated opera singer. "You've changed more than just our lives, you know. Every time you perform at these gatherings, every time you demonstrate that art transcends social boundaries..."

"We demonstrate it," she corrected gently. "Together. Just as we have since that first charity concert."

Lord Pembroke approached, interrupting their private moment.

"I hate to disturb you, but Lady Jersey is asking if we might persuade you both to perform. She claims no musical evening at Brightwood House is complete without a demonstration of your famous harmony."

Harper exchanged glances with his wife, seeing his own joy reflected in her eyes.

Their duets had become legendary in society, with even the most traditional peers admitting that true artistry knew no social bounds.

"What do you say, my love?" He offered his arm. "Shall we show them once again how music can bridge any divide?"

*****

Melody moved to the pianoforte beside her husband, every step feeling as natural as breathing. No more worrying about propriety or position - this was where she belonged, creating music with the man who had defied society's expectations to marry her.

The remaining guests gathered closer, their faces alight with anticipation. She caught her father's proud smile, saw the Dowager Duchess' knowing look, noted how even the most rigid members of society leaned forward eagerly.

Harper's fingers touched the keys, drawing forth the opening notes of a piece they'd never performed before, in public. The melody caught her breath - it held echoes of their first duet, of their passionate performances during the charity concerts, yet wove them into something entirely new. As she recognised his style, her heart swelled with love and pride. He'd composed this for tonight, for their first musical evening as husband and wife.

When her entrance came, she let her voice soar with all the emotion she felt. The piece spoke of separation and reunion, of love tested by distance and time, of two souls finding perfect harmony despite every obstacle. Their months apart in Italy had only strengthened their connection - every letter exchanged, every performance she'd given there had been preparation for this moment of reunion.

Their music filled the room with memories.

Here was the tension of their first rehearsal, transformed into playful counterpoint.

Here the passion of their first duet, now deepened into mature understanding.

Here the bittersweet farewell at the docks, resolved into joyful homecoming.

As they moved through the complex harmonies, Melody felt herself falling into that special place where only she and Harper existed. His playing wrapped around her voice like an embrace, supporting and enhancing every nuance. They had practiced this piece in secret over the past week, but tonight it felt different - more intimate, more meaningful, with their closest friends and family as witnesses.

The final section built towards a climax that made her skin tingle. Their voices joined in perfect harmony, weaving together in ways that still amazed her. No matter how many times they performed together, that moment of connection never failed to take her breath away. In those precious minutes, she wasn't the Duchess of Brightwood, wasn't a former professional singer - she was simply Melody, making music with the man she loved.

As the last notes faded, she became aware of tears on her cheeks. Harper's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining naturally. The applause that followed felt like a benediction - not just for their performance, but for everything they represented.

*****

Later, when the last guest had departed and the house settled into peaceful silence, Harper led Melody to their private sitting room.

The space balanced both their tastes - his collection of leather-bound music scores sharing shelves with her more eclectic array of Italian pieces, the elegant furniture arranged to complement rather than compete with the pianoforte that dominated the room.

Moonlight spilled through tall windows, painting silver paths across the floor. How different this night was from those lonely hours when he'd played in secret, afraid to show his passion for music.

Now the instrument stood proud in the centre of their private sanctuary, its polished surface reflecting the warm glow of candlelight.

"What are you thinking?"

Melody's voice was soft as she moved to stand beside him. She'd changed from her formal Duchess's attire into a simpler gown, yet to his eyes she had never looked more beautiful.

"I was remembering that first concert." He drew her closer, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender that always clung to her skin. "How terrified I was of performing publicly. How certain that it would somehow diminish my position as Duke."

"And now?" Her eyes held amused understanding. "Has sharing your music with the world diminished you?"

"Now..." He guided her to the pianoforte bench, settling beside her as naturally as breathing. "Now I wonder how I ever thought that being less than my true self could make me a better Duke. How I imagined that denying my passion for music would somehow make me more worthy of my position."

Melody's fingers found the keys, drawing forth a gentle melody - one of the Italian folk songs his mother had taught them both.

"You found your courage that night. Found your way back to who you truly are."

"I found you." His hands joined hers on the keys, their fingers dancing together through the familiar tune. "Found someone who saw past every careful facade to the man beneath. Who challenged me to be more than just what duty demanded."

The music shifted, becoming something that they created together in that moment - neither Italian folk song nor formal composition, but a blend of both of their styles. This was what he treasured most - these quiet moments when they could simply play, letting the music express everything in their hearts.

"I never thought it possible," she said softly, her voice joining the melody. "To have everything I dreamed of - music, love, acceptance. To be able to perform without sacrificing respect. To find someone who understands both parts of my soul."

"The artistic and the practical?" His smile curved against her hair as she leaned into him. "The passionate performer and the perfectly capable Duchess?"

"Mmm." She turned her face up to his. "Rather like someone else I know - the proper Duke who creates the most improper music."

Their laughter melded with the notes still flowing from their fingers. This was what his mother had meant about finding harmony between duty and desire - not the rigid separation his father had demanded, but a perfect blending of all parts of oneself.

The music grew softer, more intimate, as if they were sharing secrets through melody and harmony. In a way, they were - every note spoke of their journey together, of challenges faced and overcome, of a love that had transcended every boundary society tried to place between them.

Harper turned his head to kiss his wife's temple, never missing a note. Here in their private sanctuary, with music flowing between them like sunlight, he was finally, completely himself - Duke and musician, aristocrat and artist, a man who had found his perfect partner in every sense.

Together, their hands shaped a final phrase that hung in the air like starlight - beautiful, eternal, and entirely their own.

The End

I hope that you enjoyed ‘The Duke’s Duet’!

After the ‘About the Author’ section of this book, you’ll find a preview of another of my books,

‘Claiming the Heart of a Duke’