“Oh, Teresa, what am I to do with you? Why not wash your hair while I visit with the Duke and then we can try once again when I return.”
Teresa pointed to several jars of color on the table. “Are we going to use those?” she asked brightly.
“Once we begin to see an improvement. Otherwise, it is like putting a party hat on a donkey.”
Mother was still outside the door and began rapping lightly on the door with her knuckle. “Are you coming, Emily? Must not keep His Grace waiting.”
“Yes, Mother, I am coming right now.”
Emily removed the smock she was wearing as she worked with Teresa, and opened the washroom door.
Mother stood away from the door as Emily came out and followed her down the stairs to the sitting room where Mark was waiting.
Mother peeked into the room as Emily entered.
“Are you certain I cannot offer you tea, Your Grace,” she asked.
“Thank you, no, Mrs. Dunn.”
After Mother left, Emily went over to where Mark was standing at a bookcase casually studying a book.
“Mark, how nice to see you. And to what do we owe the honor?”
Mark slipped the book back in its place and turned to her.
“I have met with Monsieur Bellieu and we have set up a time for the two of you to meet. However, he is requesting an audition and I thought we might discuss what would be best for you to perform for him.”
“When is it?”
“Thursday and perhaps again Friday, as he may wish to invite some others to hear you, if he likes what he sees and hears.”
“I shall be happy to oblige.” Emily looked out the window toward the garden. “But it is such a lovely day outside, might we go out to the garden to continue our discussion?”
“I should enjoy that.”
Just then Teresa appeared at the sitting room door, her head wrapped in a towel.
“Oh, sorry… I did not know…”
“What Teresa?” Emily asked tersely.
“Ah… my hair… I am ready for you,” she said, starting to back out.”
“I shall be there shortly. But I have business with His Grace, and I cannot say when we shall finish.”
Teresa pushed her glasses up her nose. “Very well, then I shall be in my room. Is there anything I should do while I wait?” she asked, poking her head back into the room.
“Just brush your hair.”
Teresa nodded and disappeared.
“Sorry about that,” Emily said.
“Domestic concerns. Everyone has them.”
“I have been attempting to spruce her up. She has not paid much attention to her appearance until she found a young man she fancies.”
“That can certainly be an incentive,” he said with a teasing smile.
“Now then, shall we continue outdoors?”
Emily led the way through the door into the garden. She led him to her bench under the beech tree, where they sat skewed toward each other so they could converse.
“Tell me about this Monsieur Bellieu,” Emily asked. “Is he someone you believe could accomplish our goals?”
“Most certainly. He is very well connected to the music world on the continent and seems most open to you and your ambitions.”
“And you mentioned the possibility of needing to meet others. Are they additional promotors or colleagues of Monsieur Bellieu?”
“I am not certain. He will meet you on Thursday, hear you play, and then decide if another audition on Friday is warranted.”
“I see. Then I must do my very best, must I not?”
“I have no doubt you will impress him as much as you have impressed me.”
Emily took a paper out of her pocket. “Here are some suggestions for the audition I have been preparing. How many do you think I will need? I do not want to overwhelm him. Nor do I want to underrepresent myself.”
“Let me see.”
Mark took the list from her and studied it.
“Excellent selections. But maybe a few more contemporary pieces as well, to show that you are au courant.
Emily smiled conspiratorially, “I could add the Reginald Blake piece.”
He smiled and nodded. “Excellent choice.”
“And should I use the same playlist on Friday for the second audition or should I use new pieces?”
“Keep a few of your strongest pieces from the first audition and add a few new ones, would be my suggestion.”
Emily fingered a ribbon from the belt of her dress as she realized her dreams were on their way to becoming a reality. She was both nervous and excited—enhanced by her closeness to Mark whose warmth she could feel which surprisingly excited her.
“And have you had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Skeffington about some local tours for this upcoming season?”
“I wanted to wait until you met Monsieur Bellieu. If he is to take you on, I do not want to intrude upon his plans. Who knows, he might be able to schedule you a few European assignments for this new season.”
“Of course. That makes a great deal of sense.”
Emily was quiet for a moment as she thought through her playlist to see if she might want to make any changes, and studied which pieces might need the most practice before her audition on Thursday.
Mark placed a hand on hers which was resting on her lap.
“Are you nervous about the audition?”
She looked up at him pleased with his concern for her. “Not at all. Well… perhaps a little. But I am also thinking about how much practicing I must do before then. I should perhaps get to work as soon as you leave.”
“Then I shall not keep you,” he said rising.
Emily was surprised to feel a twinge of regret and clasped her hands as he prepared to leave.
He added, “And do not forget, you also have a sister needing your immediate attention. What a busy household!”
Emily stood. “Nary a dull moment at the Dunn residence.”
“I shall call for you at nine o’clock on Thursday to take you to the Savoy’s. The audition will be at ten and I want you to have time to warm up and prepare yourself to meet Monsieur Bellieu.”
Emily smiled. “How you pamper me,” she said lightly.
“And no one deserves it more.”
They retreated to the house where he took his leave at the front door.
Emily watched him walk to his carriage, then sighed and headed to Teresa’s room to help finish her transformation.
Emily knocked on the door. “Teresa, are you ready to continue?”
“I am,” her sister called out and came to the door.
They went back to the washroom and Emily, once again, began her work of reconstruction.
After an hour of instruction and trial and error, Emily stood back and took a long look at what they had accomplished.
“Hmm. Not too bad,” Emily said, herself frazzled but Teresa looking truly transformed.
“Now if only there was something we could do about your eyeglasses. Keep them off for the time being and let us go and see what Mother thinks.”
Teresa was studying herself in the mirror. “Will I need to go through all of that work each day?” she asked with some hesitation.
“No. We had a lot of restorative work to get you here, but if you do a little maintenance each day, it should not be a great chore. But you will have to commit yourself to doing it.”
Teresa smiled. “I think I can do that.”
“Come,” Emily held out her hand and, taking Teresa’s, led her to the kitchen where Mother was conferring with Cook over the evening’s supper.
“Oh my,” Cook exclaimed, being the first to see Teresa.
Mother turned. “Introduce me to your new friend,” she said, “Is this one of His Grace’s assistants?”
Teresa shrieked, “No, Mother. It is I?”
Mother gasped and took a step backward. “Oh, Emily, what have you done to her?”
Emily laughed. “Do you not like the change?”
Mother stammered, “I ah… oh, my… Well, it certainly is different.”
She went over and took Teresa’s hands, and studied her.
“My dear, you look lovely. Who would have thought?”
Teresa’s hair was no longer drab and greasy, but was lustrous and pulled back, revealing a lovely freshly scrubbed visage with a touch of color that relieved her usual looking pallor. And while not a ravishing beauty, she was greatly transformed into a handsome, sturdy young woman.
Teresa turned in a circle, her arms spread wide. “Am I not a queen?” Then she went to Emily and gave her a hug. “Thank you, dear Sister—you have freed me from eternal drabness.”
Emily took her by the shoulders and said, “And do not forget what I taught you. You must make an effort if you want to maintain your new look.
“But where are her glasses?” Mother asked.
“I need to find a new pair. My old ones made me look like an owl.” Teresa turned again to Emily. “Might we go shopping for new eyeglasses this afternoon?”
“Sorry, my dear, but I must practice. I have my audition on Thursday. Perhaps Mother can take you.”
Teresa looked stricken. “But she was the one who got me these old ones. I need you to choose them for me or I shall end up looking like my old self.”
“Very well, but not until after my auditions are concluded.”
Chapter 17
The Duke was greeted by Mr. Dunn the morning of the audition. Papa had not gone in to work early, as he wanted to see his daughter off for her most important audition.
Emily was dressed very smartly in a lilac colored, form-fitting dress, a simple set of pearls, a small hat, gloves, and a pale blue shawl.
“Good morning Miss Emily, are you all ready?” Mark asked as he gave Emily a large smile.
“As ready as I can be.”
Papa whispered, “I am so excited for you,” and then gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Emily had found it surprising how quickly her father had come around to accepting her potential new career. He had sat with her each evening as she practiced, encouraging her, and turning pages for her, even though she had all of her pieces for the audition memorized.
“All the very best, my darling,” Mother said, waving her handkerchief as the Duke escorted her to his carriage.
Emily turned to glance at her family before she mounted the carriage. She realized she was on the threshold of a new life and she wanted to have one last glance at her current life before it all changed.
Settled into the carriage, Mark said, “I stopped by to see Alice yesterday, and she is all atwitter about your audition today. Everything is ready for you. She had the piano tuned yesterday afternoon and she has sent the boys to her husband’s parents so there is no possibility for distraction.”
“How generous and kind she is.”
Mark put his hand on Emily’s. “Are you nervous?”
She shot him a glance. “What do you think,” she said with a chuckle.
“Here, I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out an old penny. “This is my good luck penny. I am giving it to you so that you may send Monsieur Bellieu into a realm of ecstasy from which he will never recover.”
Emily took the penny and examined both sides. “I do not see any magic symbols. It looks like any regular old penny to me,” she said with a smile.
“Ah, but the magic is unseen.”
Emily kissed the penny and slipped it inside her glove. “I have no pockets.”
“But you cannot play the piano with gloves,” he chortled.
“No, but I shall keep it on my person as I play.”
“But if you have no pockets…”
“But a Lady can always find a way to conceal anything,” she said mischievously.
“I best leave that alone.”
Finally, they arrived at the Savoy residence, and Mark escorted Emily out of the carriage. She was carrying a small folio of music in case she was called upon to sight read.
Alice, herself, answered the door.
“My darlings…” she greeted, opening her arms to receive them.
“Is Monsieur here yet?” Mark asked.
“Not yet. But all is ready in the sitting room.” She turned to Emily. “How do you feel?”
“Squared away and ready to play.”
Alice took her arm and led the way to the drawing room.
There was a stunning bouquet of flowers on top of the piano—with several other arrangements around the room.
“How lovely,” Emily gasped as she removed her shawl and gloves, tucking the penny into her bodice, unseen.
“I wanted the room to be festive for you. But will you need the top of the piano up?” she asked.
Emily considered. “Perhaps that would be best.”
Alice went over to the piano and removed the flowers to a nearby table, lifting the top of the piano and propping it open.
Without saying more, Emily sat at the piano and began running scales to warm up her fingers for playing.
Mark stood back, seeming not to want to intrude, but to let her settle into her pre-performance routine. Alice did much the same, standing by with her arms crossed and watching.
Emily began to play a Chopin etude when the front doorbell rang.
The maid showed Andre into the room. He glanced around the room and saw Emily at the piano.
“And you must be Miss Dunn,” he said, going over, taking her hand and kissing it.
“Monsieur Bellieu, what a pleasure,” Emily said.
Andre then nodded to Alice and Mark and turned back to Emily. “Well, I cannot tell you how much I have been looking forward to this meeting. Are you going to enchant me?”
“That is certainly my intention,” Emily said with confidence.
Alice came over and asked, “Would you like some tea, Andre, before we begin?”
“I think after would be better. Let me hear the young lady play and then we can relax. I am quite certain she will be more relaxed after she performs. Is that not so, Miss Dunn?”
“Whatever suits you the best.”
“Excellent. Then shall we begin?”
Alice escorted Andre to a row of chairs that had been arranged for listening. She joined Mark and Andre and they settled in for the concert.
Emily introduced each piece of music she was to play and the audition proceeded smoothly and without any problems. And when she had finally finished, she let the last note reverberate into silence before turning to her audience.
Andre sat with his chin resting on his folded hands staring at her with pensive knitted brows. Alice and Mark’s hands were poised for applause as they turned to see Andre’s reaction. But he was unmoved.
Finally, he said, “Thank you, Miss Emily. That was a splendid effort.”
Splendid effort? Emily was stricken. Had it been that bad?
Mark turned to Andre and trembled as he asked, “Splendid effort? Is that all you thought it was?”
Andre, ever the professional said, “Yes, only a splendid effort.” He went over to Emily and continued, “There is no doubt you are gifted, Miss Emily, but you are not yet ready to be a solo performer on the professional concert stage. I cannot, in a good conscious, offer to book you a European tour at this time. Perhaps in a year or two, after you have acquired more experience as a solo performer. But, as of now, you are not ready. I am so sorry to have to deliver to you this upsetting news. But that is how it is.”
Andre returned to Mark and Alice and said, “Thank you, Your Grace, for this opportunity.” He turned to Alice and took her hand. “Madam Savoy, thank you for hosting the audition. And good day to all of you. I shall not keep you any longer.”
Mark was not yet ready to let Andre leave, and restrained him by the shoulder.
“Monsieur Bellieu, I have to say I do not agree with your assessment of Miss Emily’s performance. I thought it was magnificent.”
“As did I,” Alice added.
Andre acknowledged their comments with a nod. “I am certain you did. However, neither of you are professional concert promotors and I am sorry to say we have a different standard for what we feel is acceptable. Good day, ladies, Your Grace.”
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 15
