“Then let me add, I know far too little about Her Ladyship to give you an insightful opinion about her suitability to be the next Duchess.”
Chapter 6
Emily’s best friend, Fanny Allen, was the manager of the ladies lingerie department at the relatively new and very fashionable Harrods Department Store. They had been friends since childhood and Emily was bursting to tell Fanny all about her meeting with Mark at Linfield Hall.
Emily knew that Fanny usually took a tea break at eleven and she timed her visit to coincide with that. Emily appeared at Fanny’s office just before eleven o’clock and stood in the open door until Fanny noticed her.
“Good morning, my dear. How lovely to see you,” Emily announced.
Fanny looked up from the catalogues she was studying. “Oh, Emily, what a wonderful surprise. It is just about my breaktime. How fortuitous you should show up now.”
“Not at all. I timed it so you can take me to tea and we can have a proper natter.”
“Then come,” Fanny said, as she rose from her desk and ushered Emily out of her office and led her toward the tea shop at a lower level of the store. The tea shop was an elegant room with a high ceiling, potted palms, and full-length sheer curtains. It was rapidly becoming one of the most fashionable venues for the socially relevant to have tea.
Once settled in, Emily leaned forward and said, “I have the most terrible dilemma, Fanny.”
“Oh, tell, tell. And I hope it is properly salacious.”
Emily laughed. “I am afraid not. But it does have a delightfully romantic element to it.”
The waitress just then brought their tea and the conversation was delayed until the tea was poured and biscuits served.
“Does your dilemma have to do with that young man you introduced me to at the concert last month? What was his name?” Fanny asked.
“Benjamin Hancock,” Emily said. “But no. He was without any merit, whatsoever. And it only took a single stroll in the park to find out he was a disaster.”
“What a shame, he was a rather handsome young man,” Fanny said, crunching a biscuit.
“No my concern is much more serious than that.”
“What is more serious than what?” Trent asked as he slipped into a chair at the tea table. “I brought the lunch you left on the kitchen table this morning when you dashed off late to work,” the young man said as he set a lunch pail on the table.”
“Oh, you are a precious,” Fanny said as she gave her brother a kiss on the cheek.
One could immediately tell the two were related. They had the same round pixyish faces. But Trent was dark while Fanny was light. Fanny had fashionably curly blond hair, while Trent’s hair was darker and had a widow’s peak that accented the upward brush of his hair. Both had the same warm hazel eyes.
“Why are you not at work?” Fanny asked Trent.
“I am on my way. Late start today as I was asked to work late.”
Trent turned his attention to Emily. He never made a secret of the fact that he had a crush on her, but he was much younger and, at present, had no prospects as he was a junior clerk with no sound basis for marrying.
“What was the delicious gossip I interrupted?” he asked.
“I was about to explain my very serious dilemma.”
Trent scooted up closer to the table, leaned on his arms, picked up a biscuit, and asked, “Tell all.”
Emily laid out the Duke’s proposal and the seeming impossibility of taking up the offer because of her father’s insistence on the inviolability of the trio.
“And what did you tell your father and sisters after you returned from the meeting?”
Emily blushed. “I lied. I said they were working on a proposal but it was not firmed up yet.”
“Why would you do that?” Trent asked.
“I needed time to think through what I really want.”
“But you must make a decision soon. You mentioned the Duke said time was of the essence,” Fanny said, pouring them all another cup of tea.
“I know,” Emily said in a strained voice.
“And who is this duke? And why is he taking an interest in your career?” Trent asked.
“His family has a long history of supporting the arts, with a special interest in music,” Emily said. “And I have to admit, he is a very sympathetic young man.”
“Young man?” Fanny immediately perked up. “He is young? And is he handsome?”
Emily nodded reluctantly. “He is both.”
“Ah, more and more interesting. Might there be a potential romance brewing?” Fanny asked, causing Trent to frown at the idea.
“Not at all. I met the lady he is courting.”
“Are they engaged?” Trent asked hopefully.
“Not yet. But I expect it is only a matter of time before they are.”
“And what are you going to do? His offer seems to be a gigantic opportunity for you,” Trent continued.
Emily shook her head and lowered her eyes. “I have no idea. I have not had the courage to broach the subject with Papa just yet.”
“Oh, Emily, you must. I do not see how you can refuse such a generous offer. Giles has not been able to come up with anything like this for you.”
“But we have been moving forward with the intention of remaining a trio. There has been no serious thought of solo work. He always knew Papa would prohibit it.”
“Emily, my dear… What are you going to do?” Fanny asked, looking distressed.
Emily sat with her hands in her lap staring out across the tea shop.
“I have no idea. Of course, I wish to have a solo career, but I am also concerned for my sisters who would have no careers if they were left on their own.”
“And how is that your responsibility?” Trent asked. “If they are not qualified and are not willing to do the work to become better, why should you suffer because of them?”
“Because they are my family, and I know Papa counts on me to keep the trio going.”
“Nonsense, Emily. You must honor your talent and take the Duke’s offer. And that is all I have to say on the matter.”
“And I second that,” Trent added. “I want you to become wildly famous, so I can say I knew you when…”
Emily could not deal with this discussion any longer. It was clear they both thought she should pursue a solo career, but she could not yet make that leap.
She turned to Fanny and said, “I need a new petticoat. What can you recommend, and is there anything nice on sale?”
Mother came into the salon where Emily was practicing.
“A hand-delivered letter just came for your father, but he is at the shop. The gentleman who delivered it is waiting for a reply. Do you think I should send the messenger to the shop? It seems to be urgent.
“Did the gentleman say who it is from?” Emily asked.
Mother turned the letter over and looked at the address on the back. “It is from a Silas Skeffington. Is he not the gentleman that was at the meeting with you at Linfield Hall?”
“Yes. And he said before we left that he might call on us with some suggestions about the trio. It, indeed, must be urgent. Let me open it. Papa will not mind.”
Mother handed Emily the letter. She opened it.
Dear Mr. Dunn,
Might it be possible for us to meet at two o’clock this afternoon at your residence? I have a most interesting proposal which I believe will be of great interest and benefit to your family. It concerns the development and promotion of the Dunn trio.
If you would be so kind as to reply immediately, I shall be happy to meet you later this afternoon.
With Best Regards,
Silas Skeffington
P.S.
And, if convenient, I should like the trio to be in attendance, as well, as this business directly concerns their future.
“Oh, I know Papa will want to attend this meeting. I shall reply in the affirmative and then run over to the shop to show him the letter.”
“I
f you say so. I do not know. This is all far too complicated for me,” Mother said as she disappeared.
Emily went to the desk and wrote out a quick note to Silas accepting the appointment. Then she gave it to the waiting messenger, and put on her shawl, and headed to her father’s shop.
The three sisters were eagerly awaiting Mr. Skeffington’s arrival. Papa paced the room, concerned about what the proposal might be. Emily was also quite nervous, as she had not yet had the courage to tell her father about the Duke’s insistence she develops a solo career.
“This could be the making of you all,” Papa said, “With the help of someone like His Grace and this Mr. Skeffington, we might be poised for great things, my darling daughters.”
Giles rushed into the parlor, out of breath and wiping his brow with a large handkerchief. “I got your message, Emily. I am happy I was able to get away for this meeting. It sounds to be most propitious.”
Mother hurried in with a tray with a decanter of sherry and glasses. “Oh, he is not here yet. I thought if there is good news you gentlemen might like to make a toast.”
“And we ladies?” Emily asked. “Might we not like to toast as well?”
Mother looked askance. “Well, if you must.”
Molly appeared at the parlor door. “There is a gentleman to see you, Mr. Dunn. Says he is Mister Silas Skeffington.”
“Please show him in, Molly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Shortly Silas appeared at the door. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.”
“Come, sit with us,” Mr. Dunn said, indicating a chair next to him.
Silas went over but remained standing as Father sat. “Thank you all for being here. Good afternoon, Mr. Carter, I am happy to see you here as well.” He turned to the daughters. “And good day to you.”
Silas stood for a moment gathering his thoughts and then began. “First of all, His Grace sends his best regards.” He then addressed Emily, “As does Her Grace, the Duchess. She asked particularly to be remembered to you.”
Emily nodded.
“Now… as concerns the business at hand, I have done a number of inquiries and I have developed interest from several key promoters for tours for the trio throughout Great Britain.”
“Oh my, that is excellent news,” Papa said excitedly.
Silas went over to Emily and stood before her. “Miss Emily, you may or may not know, but many music promotors have heard of your stellar playing and are most interested to meet you,” he paused, “and your charming sisters too, of course.”
Papa asked, “And what are the details of these tours?”
Silas turned back to their father, “It is far too early to have details. I was thinking that you, Mr. Carter, as their manager, might accompany me to several meetings to discuss the tours in greater detail. Might that be possible?”
“Most certainly,” Giles answered.
Emily was surprised that Silas did not mention the Duke’s proposal for her solo career. Had the Duke given up on that idea, she wondered? But she could not ask him directly as she had not told her family of that proposal.
“Mr. Skeffington, might I have a private word with you before you leave?” Emily asked.
Silas smiled broadly. “Of course.”
“Well, I believe this calls for a toast,” Papa said. He stood up and poured and passed around glasses of sherry, and then raising a glass, said, “To the future glorious success of the Dunn Trio. Cheers.”
“Cheers,” the others echoed.
Papa then went over and took Ruth and Teresa’s hands. “You must be very proud. Did I not say success was just around the corner?”
Emily went over to Silas and pulled him aside to a far corner of the room.
“Mr. Skeffington…”
“Please call me Silas,” he said, placing his hand on her arm.
“Silas, has the Duke given up the idea of a solo career for me?”
“Not at all. But it is my opinion we need to ease into that where your father is concerned. It may take some more time before we broach the idea of a solo career to him.”
“But His Grace said time was of the essence,” Emily said with some concern.
Silas smiled and said, “He is less knowledgeable about how the music business works than I am. And, as I say, let us organize the trio’s tour and then we can address the solo work later on, if that still interests you.”
Emily was troubled by this. “I do not understand.”
Silas took her arm and leaned in closer. “I can certainly help you more efficiently than Mark can. If you and I were to become closer… then almost anything could happen.”
Emily was shocked. Silas was definitely propositioning her. He was making his help conditional on her favorable response to him as a suitor. She was about to respond angrily when Giles came over.
“Mr. Skeffington, I am confused. Has His Grace changed his mind about developing Emily’s solo work? I thought you were coming to announce progress on her behalf.”
“Miss Emily made it perfectly clear at that meeting that she believed she would remain with the trio—according to her father’s wishes. Is that not so, Miss Emily?”
Emily stammered, “I… I did say that, but was persuaded to consider another path later in that meeting. I thought you understood that.”
“Well…” Silas prevaricated.
“His Grace made it clear to me it was my choice to separate myself from the trio and to let him know that I was free, so he could move forward in organizing a European tour.”
“And have you separated yourself from the trio yet?” Silas asked pointedly.
“Ah…well…no. I have not.”
Silas raised his hands as if indicating the answer was obvious. “Then you are still with the trio and I am here to help with organizing your tours.”
He squeezed Emily’s arm to emphasize his earlier conditions on his help. “It is all up to you, my dear.”
Emily forcefully pulled her arm away from Silas’s grip.
Emily had just finished a vigorous practice with Giles at his studio. Emily was exhausted and took several glasses of water after she closed the cover on the piano’s keyboard.
“Splendid, Emily. The Scarlatti piece is coming along nicely. Are you happy with it?”
“I believe so.”
“You sound uncertain,” Giles added.
“Oh, Giles, I am greatly conflicted. What am I to do about continuing with the trio?”
Giles came over and sat next to her on the piano bench. “Cara, we have discussed this repeatedly. You know how I feel. And here you have this wonderful opportunity from the Duke to become a successful soloist and yet you hold back out of loyalty to your family—quashing any hope you might have for a truly magnificent career.”
“I know, Giles, you are correct. I do want that career, but I am also torn by loyalty to my family. If I were to break away, I would have to know there was some provision for my sisters to be able to continue on with their careers as well. I cannot just abandon them.”
Giles sat with his hands folded in his lap, thinking. “Maybe there might be a way.”
“Oh, really? What do you have in mind?” she asked, looking over at him, hopeful that he might have the answer.
He wagged his finger at her, cautioning her not to press too hard just yet. “I have an idea, but I must speak to several people first.”
Emily grabbed his arm and turned toward him on the bench. “Giles, you are too terrible. Tell me at once.”
He laughed. “Not yet. You must be patient with me. It is a long shot and I do not want to get your hopes up just yet.”
She swatted at his arm. “You had better have a great idea and it had better be a stellar success.” She laid her arms on the keyboard cover and rested her head on her arms. “Giles, I really want this to happen. I realize now, I want this more than anything.”
Giles patted her back. “I will do everything I can for you, my dear. You know that.”
Cha
pter 7
When Mark was restless, or confused or troubled, he liked to go for a long ride around the estate. He had his favorite places he liked to go. One of which was a marshy area at the edge of a lake. There were reeds and cattails growing along the shore that hid him from easy view should anyone pass by and he could indulge himself in one of his guilty pleasures—fishing. He kept a fishing pole hidden underneath a clump of bushes, and when he wanted to empty his mind he would dig near the edge of the marsh and find a few earthworms to use as bait on his hook. Then he would cast out his line and watch the bobber and think about nothing. And when, with great surprise, he actually caught something, he would unhook the poor creature and toss it back into the pond, relieved that he would not need to gut and scale the poor fish. Of course, he could just take the fish to Cook to prepare, but there was rarely enough meat on the scamp to make it worthwhile.
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 5
