“It is magnificent. And what is this second entry?”
“It is my new variety of African violet. I bred it myself. Is it not lovely?”
“Stunning. And what a gorgeous deep burgundy color with just that spot of yellow in the center. I do not see how you cannot win first prize in both categories,” Emily said, even though she did not know much about growing flowers.
The Duchess turned back to the young man. “Protect the violet similarly, and then be very careful as you take them to the fair pavilion. There must be no jostling as you drive the trap.”
“We shall barely crawl along the road,” the man said with a big grin.
The Duchess nodded and turned back to Emily. She took her arm, and asked, “Will you please escort me back to the house? The floor is rather uneven and I am always fearful of falling.”
“It would be my pleasure, Your Grace.”
“Come, then,” she said, leaning on Emily’s arm for support.
As they headed for the house, the Duchess would stop now and then to pinch a faded flower or snap off a dead branch.
She sighed before saying, “I do not have the energy I used to have to care for all of my babies. Of course, we have staff that cares for the plants, but I always took a personal interest in everything here. But, alas, it is no longer possible.”
“However, your entries for the fair are lovely. You should be very proud of those.”
The Duchess cast Emily a brief glance. “Alice tells me you have become fast friends.”
“Oh, yes, we have. I feel we are like sisters.”
“She told me about your disappointment with the French concert promoter. I was truly sorry to hear about that.”
Emily gave a wan smile. “His Grace assures me it is but a temporary setback. In fact, much of this weekend is about me meeting notables in the music world who may be able to accomplish what we are seeking.”
They had arrived back in the main section of the house. As they passed through the entry hall, they saw the bustle of arriving guests, servants carrying luggage, or other staff whisking linens from the laundry, or carrying snacks, tea, or coffee from the kitchen to serve the guests who had already arrived and settled in.
“Would you like me to escort you to your rooms, Your Grace?” Emily asked as the Duchess took a firmer grip on her arm.
“Yes, please.”
As they ascended the staircase, Emily saw Miss Sophie coming down, dressed in her riding costume. Emily nodded to her but Sophie ignored her.
Finally, back in her rooms, the Duchess greeted Baggs and said to Emily, “Thank you, my dear, for your kind assistance, will you stay for tea?”
“I should like that very much, but I promised tea with the Duke as he wants to introduce me to some of his honored guests.”
“Of course, I understand,” she said as she sat down in her favorite chair with a comfortable sigh. “But before you go, just a word.”
“Of course,” Emily said going over and standing before the Duchess.
“I am a little concerned about your growing attachment to my grandson.”
“But I assure you it is quite innocent and purely professional.”
“Hmm. I trust that might be so. However, the way he talks about you concerns me.”
Emily felt a blush rising in her cheeks and she lowered her eyes and felt a tremble in her hands, which she clasped together to steady.
“Are he and Miss Sophie engaged yet?” Emily asked. “I know his father wishes it. But he has said nothing to me about it.”
“No, they are not. And I have spoken to you before about my concerns about her. But, as of yet, no other suitable young lady has presented herself. I was somewhat hoping that he might meet such a lady this weekend. We have such a crowd and I know several families have come with eligible young daughters—His Grace is such a catch. Perhaps he might find a suitable young lady.
“And I want you to keep an eye open for me. Let me know if you see or meet any young person you think might be a good match and I shall make sure my grandson is apprised of the fact.”
Emily’s heart sank at the assignment, but she graciously said, “Of course, Your Grace, I should be pleased to help however I may.”
“Oh, and if you wish, I am heading over to the flower show tomorrow morning, if you would like to accompany me,” the Duchess offered.
“Oh, yes, I should like that very much—provided His Grace does not need me for something connected with the concert tour.”
“I understand. We can discuss it further at breakfast tomorrow morning. I breakfast at eight.”
Chapter 19
As Emily was leaving the Duchess’s rooms, she saw a gentleman walking down the dark hallway toward her.
“Emily,” the gentleman called out.
Emily stopped. “Yes?”
Silas came into view. “How delightful to see you again. I heard about the dreadful episode with the French concert promoter. Never did trust the French. How are you holding up?” he asked as he took hold of her arm and sidled up close to her.
She backed away slightly and used the excuse to tighten her shawl to pull away from his grasp on her arm.
“I am well, thank you. But you must excuse me; I have an appointment with His Grace to meet some of his friends from the London music circle. He still has hopes that I might find a concert promoter for the continent.”
“Yes, that is exactly where I am headed, too.” And he took her arm again and escorted her toward the library where the tea and meeting were to be held.
On the way, Silas released his hand from her arm but slipped his arm around her waist.
Upon entering the library, Emily broke free and went over to Mark.
He spoke quietly to her, “Are you being courted by Silas?” he asked, sounding hurt.
Emily’s temper flared. “Not at all,” she said firmly.
“But he had his arm around your waist when you entered. I thought maybe…”
“I do not wish to speak harshly of your uncle, but he continues to press his attentions upon me when I do not wish it. Of course, I am greatly indebted to him for what he has done for the trio and my family, but honestly, I just…” She stopped herself from saying more.
They both turned and watched as Silas headed for the whiskey and poured himself a large glassful.
“Let me speak to him later.”
“Please do not make any trouble,” she pleaded. “He has been so helpful to the trio. I…”
“Let me take care of it.”
One of the gentlemen already in the room came over to Mark and Emily. He was portly, but jolly looking, with a pleasant smile.
“And you must be the Miss Emily Dunn of whom we have been hearing such a great deal about lately.”
Mark said, “Miss Emily, this is Doctor Bernard Smith, the Dean of Music at London University. Doctor Smith may I present, Miss Emily Dunn. A most talented up and coming solo pianist.”
“Enchanted, Miss Dunn. His Grace has loudly sung your praises and I understand you are to perform for us this evening.”
“It is to be my great pleasure to do so.”
“Excellent. And by the way, Your Grace, this is an outstanding port,” he said holding up his glass in salute to the Duke.
“Feel free to help yourself to more. But excuse us, Doctor, I want to introduce Emily to another guest.”
Mark then led Emily toward a group of two other gentlemen.
“Gentlemen, this is the young soloist I was speaking to you about. Miss Emily Dunn.”
The gentlemen—one older and one middle-aged—turned to her and offered their hands.
“Graham Butler,” the older gentlemen offered, bowing slightly. “Of Butler, Goodwin and Winter, agents for musical artists. It is a pleasure.”
“And I am Colin Harris,” the younger man said. “My father is Sir Daniel Harris, conductor of the London Sinfonietta.”
“Of course,” Emily said. “I am fully cognizant of his fine work.”
It was then that Wesley appeared with three footmen to serve the tea from the table that had been prepared for service.
Several tea tables had been laid for the guests, and Mark directed the gentlemen he particularly wanted to speak with about Emily to his table. He felt that she should not be present so that they might speak frankly, and he directed her to a table with several of the wives.
After some polite conversation with the gentlemen, Mark moved the conversation toward his objective, which was to find someone who might arrange the European tour for Emily.
“Gentlemen, it should be no surprise to you that I have invited you to Linfield this weekend, partially to speak about the career of my protégé, Miss Dunn.”
“Thought as much, old chap,” Mr. Butler said. “I heard about her audition for Andre Bellieu. That must have been a surprise and shock.”
“Indeed it was. And uncalled for, I also believe.”
“Yes, I, too, heard about that,” Mr. Harris added. “He was overheard bragging about it at the Café Royal. It appears he was rather deep into his cups at the time and was heard to say that, although he thought the young lady was quite talented, he was not interested in taking her on as a client, because he already had a young lady on his books that was very much like her.”
Mark was astonished and said, “I was unaware that there were any other female solo performers out there.”
“Apparently he has a young lady from Brussels under contract.”
Now Mark was angry. “Then he should have told us that. He was both cruel and unfair to just dismiss her as he did. She was devastated by his rejection. I would like to thrash his hide.”
“Apparently you are not the only one, Doctor Smith said, “I understand he has a rather sour reputation in Europe, although he seems to remain unblemished here in England.”
“Until now,” Mark said. “And I shall make it my task to make sure that his unblemished reputation shall become tarnished.”
“And the young lady will be performing for us this evening?” the agent, Mr. Butler asked.
“Indeed she shall. And I urge any of you who might be able to help her with setting up a tour throughout Europe to, please, step up if you feel her work warrants your support.”
They all expressed willingness to help if they could—depending on her performance, of course.
After the tea was over, several of the guests left the library, but several more stayed to study the books and fine paintings, wandering and admiring the beautiful room. The tall ceiling was topped with a glass cupola that lit the library. On the ceiling, surrounding the dome, there were a variety of classical style paintings of frolicking putti, gods, and goddesses. Many of the intricate moldings were gilt, and red velvet draperies hung from the windows, held back in swags by gold braided ropes. Besides the many shelves of leather-bound books, family portraits filled all the free spaces on the walls.
The mothers with eligible daughters hovered nearby hoping to catch a word with the Duke to introduce their offspring.
However, Mark sought out Emily and pulled her aside. He told her about the Monsieur’s behavior at the Café Royal and what had been learned about his true reasons for not accepting her.
“Then why did he agree to audition me if he was not looking for a new client?” she very reasonably asked.
Mark shrugged. “Heaven only knows. But he was rude to you and to me the way he dismissed your performance, and I intend to make sure the London music set knows of his disgraceful behavior.”
Emily put her hand on Mark’s arm. “Please, that is not necessary. I have survived and would prefer to just move forward. There is no need to make enemies of those in our business who may one day be of service. And what I need to do right now is prepare for my performance this evening.”
“The music room is prepared for you and you shall not be interrupted there.”
Emily smiled. “Thank you. Then if you will excuse me, I should like to work there the rest of the afternoon.”
“Of course.”
Emily turned to leave but stopped and turned back, asking, “And exactly where is the music room?”
Mark laughed and he turned and motioned for Wesley to come over.
“Yes, Your Grace?” he asked.
“Please accompany Miss Emily to the music room and make certain she is not disturbed.”
“Certainly.”
Wesley led the way and, as Emily passed by Silas, he smiled at her and nodded.
After Emily left, Mark abandoned the hovering mothers and daughters and went over to Silas.
“Uncle we need to talk,” Mark said sternly.
“Talk away,” Silas said jauntily.
“Not with others about. This is a private talk.”
“Oh, dear. Trouble. And, by the way, why did you exclude me from your conversation with the gentlemen at tea? Certainly, I should have been included in that meeting—for it was a meeting about Miss Emily, was it not?”
“It was. But, as you previously stated to me, your interest is in the trio, not promoting Miss Emily.”
“Yes, but I believe you might also be thinking of arranging a tour in Great Britain for her this upcoming season. And you would need to come to me for that, no?”
“How do you know that?” Mark asked.
“Alice mentioned something about that.”
Mark was conflicted. He wanted to scold his uncle over his behavior to Emily, but he also might need his help with an English tour.
“Yes… Well… That cannot be determined until we have the European tour in place and know what her schedule might be. There may not even be a need for an English tour for the season coming up.”
“And where did Miss Emily go just now?” Silas asked.
“She went to rehearse for the recital this evening. And I advise you to leave her alone. She needs to concentrate and needs no distractions from you or anyone else.”
Silas threw his hands in the air. “Far be it from me to intrude on her sacred practice.”
Silas turned away and headed over to the mothers and daughters who were still hoping for an audience with His Grace.
After her practice and before her bath, Emily went to the salon where the recital was to take place. She wanted to inspect the piano she would be using and sat down to try out the action of the keys. It was a superb instrument and she was very pleased. When she was finished, she stopped to raise the piano’s lid and prop it open to be ready for her performance.
As she was leaving to go to her room, the salon door opened and Miss Sophie came in.
“I saw you come in here,” she said, “And I wondered if we might have a word?”
“Hello, Sophie, it is nice to see you at this weekend,” Emily said.
“Is there any reason I should not be here?”
“None at all. But it is pleasant to see you again. Have you been well?”
“Well enough,” Sophie said as she wandered the room touching the backs of chairs and sofas.
A number of straight back chairs had been set up in preparation for the recital, and Emily sat down on one. “Come sit with me,” Emily said, patting the chair next to her.
But Sophie continued to wander the room. It looked like she wanted to say something but she just drifted absently around the room.
“You said you wanted to have a word?” Emily finally spoke up again.
“Yes… You have been taking up a great deal of my fiancé’s time these past weeks. And I would like to know why?”
“Well, not officially, I suppose. But we intend to be.”
“I see. Well, to answer your question, His Grace has been helping me with my career. Most specifically to help organize a European tour.”
“And why would he do that?” Sophie asked with a definite edge to her voice.
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 17
