“Oh, thank you.”
During the tea, Emily directed her conversation to Fanny, but kept an eye on Trent and Teresa, nudging their interaction along as both seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Without warning, a bank of clouds covered the sun and, looking up, they could see the promise of rain was imminent. The scent of rain was already heavy in the air.
“We should probably go inside the house now,” Fanny said rising.
“Must we?” Trent asked, still engrossed in his conversation with Teresa.
“Unless you want to sit out here with umbrellas, I suggest we go home before the clouds burst,” Fanny insisted.
And right away, large drops of rain began splattering on the walkway.
They scurried inside, leaving the still set tea table to be soaked by the pending storm.
Fanny grabbed Emily’s arm. “We should dash. We did not bring umbrellas, and if we hurry, I think we can make it home.”
“Of course, off you go.”
Trent was still facing Teresa and taking her hand said, “That was a most enjoyable conversation, Miss Teresa. I should very much like to read the book you suggested.”
“Then I shall lend it to you,” she said shyly.
“Perhaps we can meet for tea again sometime soon, or even take a walk in the park.”
“I should love that and I can give you the book then.”
Trent backed up and let her hand slip from his. “I will contact you soon.”
“Come, Brother,” Fanny insisted. “This is my nice afternoon dress and I do not want it ruined.”
Trent turned from Teresa, and the brother and sister left at a run, as the tempo of the rain increased.
Emily and Teresa, arm in arm, watched from the front door as their friends ran down the street.
Emily thought it best if she did not comment on what appeared to be a budding romance between Trent and her sister. If Teresa wanted to say anything, she would eventually. The important thing was that the seed had been sown.
Chapter 27
The twins were already in bed, with Nanny standing guard, when Alice greeted Emily later that evening. Emily had dressed conservatively in a pale apple green dress with a forest green belt and summer shawl. Her hair was braided and pinned to the top of her head.
Alice immediately gave Emily a hug after she entered the Savoy house.
“It is so lovely to see you again, and so soon. And what a sensation you caused by your early departure from Linfield. All the guests were hoping for an encore after dinner, but you had escaped. Was it a serious emergency?”
Emily laughed. “Oh, I have a lot of news to tell. Is Mark here? I want to tell you when we are all together.”
“Not yet, but Chester is in the sitting room with wine, ready to welcome you.”
They entered the sitting room and Chester stood and belted out a bracing, “Good Evening, Miss Emily. Jolly to see you again. Have a seat. Have a drink. What is your poison?”
“We are having venison, this evening,” Alice said. “I recommend the claret.”
“Then that is what I shall have.”
The doorbell rang just then and Alice went to answer.
She came back with Mark who beamed when he saw Emily.
“Miss Emily, lovely to see you. I am so happy you could attend this evening. I have a lot to tell you. A great deal has been moving forward on your account.”
“How exciting. And I have a few surprises of my own.”
A housemaid took Mark’s coat and walking stick and disappeared.
Mark gave his sister a kiss on the cheek and went over to shake Chester’s hand. “Good evening all. What a pleasure to be a guest instead of a host after such a weekend.”
“First rate bash, old man,” Chester said, offering Mark a glass of the red wine and taking one to Emily.
“If you will excuse me, please, I must have a word with Cook,” Alice said before disappearing.
The two men and Emily engaged in light conversation until Alice returned, took a glass of wine, and sat with them.
“How is Father doing?” Alice asked with some concern. “He did not seem at all well just before we left on Monday.”
Mark turned to Emily. “I am so happy you had a chance to play for him. It meant a great deal.” Then he answered his sister, “I wish I could say he was better, but I cannot.”
“Oh, Mark…”
“Do you feel you need to go back to Linfield to be with him?” Chester asked his wife.
She considered that and said, “Not just yet. I need more time with the boys since we were gone over the weekend.”
The housemaid came in and whispered to Alice.
“Dinner is ready. Shall we?” Alice gestured for them to precede her.
After dinner had been served and domestic issues were discussed, Mark turned to Emily and asked. “You said you have a few surprises for us?”
Emily put down her fork and hung her head for a brief moment before looking up and proceeding to tell the tale of her sister Ruth, her fiancé, and the explosive dissolution of the Dunn Trio.
Mark immediately asked, “Has Silas been told about this?”
Emily hesitated but said, “Ruth is taking care of that. I did not want to interact with Mr. Skeffington.”
Mark immediately picked up on that statement. “And why not?”
Emily was torn. She did not want to harm Mark’s relationship with his uncle, but at the same time, she felt Silas needed to be held accountable for his actions. But she looked around the table and decided that, if she was to say anything, she must do it privately with Mark, so she dodged the question for the moment by saying, “Because I am no longer a part of the trio. And Ruth volunteered to inform him.”
Mark sat back in his chair, both hands on the dining table, and took a breath. “Well, that certainly is news. And how do you feel about this turn of events?”
“I am most supportive. Both of my sisters are mediocre musicians and performers. They were both chafing under our father’s control and I feel it was the right thing for them to do. I feel badly for Linton, the young man, who replaced me, but he is talented and will rebound, without a doubt.”
By then, the dinner had finished, and Emily could see that Chester was restless to leave the table, so she asked, “Will coffee be served in the sitting room?”
“Certainly. Shall we adjourn?”
They rose from the table and Mark came over to Emily before they left the dining room.
“When might we discuss the news I have for you?”
“Whenever you like. Did you want to do that this evening?”
“I do not want to bore Alice and Chester with our business details.”
Alice overheard that comment and said, “Oh, please, do not refrain on our account. Chester is bound to fall asleep in his chair momentarily, and I am most interested in hearing about the progress of Emily’s career, as I feel I am a part of it.”
“As you wish, Sister.”
In the sitting room, Chester took his accustomed chair and his eyes were already flickering. Alice directed Mark and Emily to join her at the far end of the sitting room where there was a comfortable sitting area for them to chat without disturbing Chester.
Mark leaned forward in his chair, his forearms resting on his legs and began, “There was quite a flurry of activity after you left. The three gentlemen, who are to help you, met with me separately and expressed their sincere interest in moving forward as quickly as possible, as we are near the end of the time when most bookings are already concluded for the year ahead.”
“Oh, dear. I hope I have not missed out,” Emily plaintively replied.
“Not at all. However, it does demand some immediate attention. Mr. Butler wishes you to come in to his office the day after tomorrow to sign the necessary agency papers. He realized that to wait any longer might lose you the opportunity to take advantage of a UK tour where there are some open spots for you.”
“Mr. Butler on Thursday?” Emily asked
, a little flustered by the suddenness of the request.
“I shall still be in town and would be happy to escort you to his office. Would eleven o’clock work for you?”
Emily needed to think for a moment if she had any obligations, but, other than working to assemble her European tour program, she had nothing.”
“No, I shall be free then.”
“Excellent, then you can sign the agency papers and he promised to have your British tour schedule ready for you to review.”
“Do you think I need to see if Giles is free to accompany us?”
“You may ask, but it is not necessary, as it does not entail any programming or rehearsal scheduling at this point.”
“Then let it be just you and me.”
“And the other news is that Mr. Smith wants to ask you to speak to several of the music classes about being a ‘woman in the contemporary world of music.’ Is that something that would interest you?”
“To speak? Oh, that sounds daunting. I will need to think about that before I can answer.”
“Not to concern yourself about it. But he would like a yea or a nay as soon as possible. And, in any case, he still wants to book you for several performances. But he will not be able to do that for a week or two, as he needs to confer with several colleagues first.”
Emily let out a sigh. “What a whirlwind this has become.”
“Ah, but there is one more thing I wish to tell you. Another gentleman, whom you did not meet, came forward after you left. He was most disappointed that you were not available. He is a journalist from the Guardian and wishes to interview you. But I put him off until your European and UK concert schedules are arranged. Then you will have a marvelous forum from which to announce your tours.”
“It is really starting, is it not, Mark? I cannot believe all that is happening. And to think. but a few days ago, I sat at that piano dejected at the thought that I might never have the career I dreamed of.”
“And another thing…” Mark said as he reached into his waistcoat pocket. “Here is a list of the documents I need from you to secure your travel papers. Provide these when you can, and I shall make the arrangements.”
Emily was overcome with gratitude for all Mark was doing for her, and she shook her head. “You are too kind to me. However do I deserve such treatment?”
“Because of your talent. It is something I greatly admire, but do not possess myself. And I feel incumbent to use my wealth and power to assist others who have that talent but may not have the resources that I have to achieve their dreams.”
“Are there others whom you are helping in such a manner?” Emily asked with a surprising twinge of jealousy.
“There are institutions I have benefited, but, as of yet, I have found no other individuals with the talents that you possess.”
Emily was surprised at the satisfaction that answer gave her.
“Well, then… I have my work cut out for me, do I not? I can see I must concentrate fully on my program of music. And I must get with Giles and set up a rigorous rehearsal schedule.”
“Ah… and that reminds me,” Alice said as she stood. “Excuse me, I shall be right back. I have something for you, Emily.”
As she left the room, Emily looked to Mark to see if he knew what she might present to her. But he shrugged.
Shortly Alice returned with a music manuscript and presented it to her.
“Reggie Blake asked me to give this to you. It is his latest work for solo piano and he intended it for your tour.”
Emily looked up and saw the mirth in Alice’s eyes, and she said, “And tell Mr. Blake how much I appreciate his kind thought, and I shall do all in my power to do justice to--what I am certain--is a magnificent piece of music.”
Both Alice and Mark laughed.
Mark seemed distracted when he picked Emily up for their appointment at Butler, Goodwin, and Winter. As they passed along the London streets, Mark stared ahead, his hands resting on his walking stick. Emily finally reached over and gently touched his arm.
“Mark, you seem distracted. Are you feeling poorly?”
Mark turned to her and managed a weak smile. “I am sorry Emily, it is that I have had bad news from Linfield. Father is not doing well and the doctor fears he will not last much longer.”
Emily was stricken. “Oh, Mark, then why are we doing this today? You should return home.”
“Thank you, but there is nothing I can do but sit beside him, and I feel the urgency of your situation. I shall return to Linfield when we have concluded our meeting.”
“Oh, Mark…”
He smiled weakly and was silent until they reached the Butler offices.
As they ascended the stairs to the suite of offices, Emily kept glancing at Mark and seeing the pain in his furrowed brow. It made her heart ache to think that the old man might soon be passing.
As they entered the offices, a gentleman greeted them and led them to a room with a small conference table. He offered them refreshment but they both refused. Then the man left, saying that Mr. Butler would be with them shortly.
It seemed to be a long time but, twenty minutes later, the same gentleman appeared and asked the two to follow him. He led them to Mr. Butler’s office and they entered.
Mr. Butler was at his desk but did not look up at their entrance, instead, continuing to study a correspondence on his desk.
Mark presently cleared his throat, and Mr. Butler looked up.
“Sit down,” he said, offering no other greeting.
They sat in the two chairs placed in front of his desk and continued to wait.
Then, finally, he turned his attention to them, and studied them for a moment or two before saying, “Miss Dunn, we have a problem.”
Emily was stunned.
Mark immediately asked, “What sort of a problem?”
Mr. Butler stood and began pacing behind his desk. “I have had a visit from Mr. Silas Skeffington, your uncle, I believe,” he said, nodding toward Mark.
“Yes, my uncle. He was at the weekend.”
“What was the nature of the meeting?” Emily asked, suddenly apprehensive.
Mr. Butler came over and stood before her, glowering.
“He said he felt, that in good conscience, he must inform me of some startling information about you that would preclude our firm representing you.”
Now Emily was really frightened. What was Silas up to now? “What sort of information?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
Mr. Butler then said, very darkly, “He accuses you of seeking his help for your career by offering to compromise yourself.”
Emily was unable to speak, she was so shocked.
Mark stood up. “Sir, that is an abominable accusation and a lie! Miss Emily is in every way an honorable young lady.”
“Not according to Mr. Skeffington, whom I have known for many years, and who has a sterling reputation in the world of professional music.”
Emily could see a flash of doubt cross Mark’s face as he turned to her. “Emily?” he asked, with a pleading voice, challenging her to refute this claim.
She suddenly went very cold and calm, as her world crumbled down around her. “Your Grace, do you really need to ask?”
Mark’s expression hardened and he turned back to Mr. Butler. “And what sort of evidence did he give you to back up this monstrous accusation?”
“Just his word, which I trust.” Mr. Butler turned to Emily. “I am sorry, Miss Dunn, we shall be unable to represent you, and once word gets around to other agencies, I am afraid they will refuse you as well.” He nodded. “Good day, Your Grace, Miss Dunn. I am truly sorry, as you are a major talent.”
“And you will not consider what she might have to say?” Mark insisted.
Mr. Butler inclined his head with a smirk that seemed to indicate that he knew all men would know the real truth. “This meeting is concluded.”
He rang a bell and the previous gentleman appeared to usher them out of the offices.
&n
bsp; Chapter 28
Standing in front of the office building, both Mark and Emily were in such great shock, they just stood frozen in place. Passersby needed to walk around them, giving them menacing looks for blocking the sidewalk. Neither Mark nor Emily seemed to know what to do next. Finally, Mark straightened himself and said, “Miss Emily, I need to get to the bottom of this. Can you help me?”
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 23
