by Wendy Vella
“Are you all right?”
“Of course,” he acknowledged Cam, who joined him. “It just takes a moment to adjust.”
“Dev is the same, as you know. He once fell flat on his face in front of some of the more affluent members of society. Caused quite a stir, as you can imagine. I told everyone he had overindulged the night before. He’s still put out about it.”
“I can imagine.”
He let his eyes wander, taking in the guests and then the small platform two pianos sat on. To the right, musicians played. Rose would be up there soon.
“Why two pianos?”
“Eden decided that it would create more of a spectacle if both she and Rose played and sang, and then as they are performing, servants will walk through the crowd taking more money. Her theory is the guests will be so enthralled, they will not care how much they give. My sister is nothing if not confident.”
“Mr. Sinclair, Captain Sinclair.”
“Lady Whitlow, Miss Whitlow.” He bowed, and beside him Cam did the same.
“How lovely you both look this evening,” Cam added.
“Captain, my dear Virginia was saying just this morning how much she would like to discuss the matter of our veterans with you, and how she can further add to their cause. Poor souls that they are.”
Wolf only just managed to stop his teeth snapping together at her condescending tone.
“Money is the only way you can help, my lady, as they have very little of it, due to the fact no one has made provisions for them.”
The woman looked shocked at Wolf’s words.
“But surely you are not blaming our prince for that? Or those wonderful gentlemen who run our country?”
“Of course not.” Cam stepped into the conversation. “My cousin was merely pointing out that much is needed to be done for this cause.”
No, I wasn’t.
“Oh well, of course, and that is exactly what I meant, Captain Sinclair. My dear Virginia is just the woman a man needs at his side to champion such a cause.”
He’d rather remain a bachelor for eternity than marry such a woman.
“That is a particularly unusual shade of orange, Miss Whitlow,” Cam said.
Wolf battled the snort. What it was, was hideous. So bright it made him want to squint. Nothing like the sweet, delicious fruit; it was brighter, and more... hell, just a lot more of everything that wasn’t good.
“Such a connoisseur of fashion, Mr. Sinclair. Our designer was quite adamant it was the color for my dear little Virginia.”
“And one can see why, Lady Whitlow.” Wolf decided to play nice. “It certainly brings out the color of her eyes.”
“Well thank you, Captain. And as I believe there will be dancing after the performance, my dear Virginia will be glad to accept one from you.”
Wolf bowed rather than comment on the woman’s audacity.
“Loathsome woman,” he muttered as they walked away.
“Yes, I cannot help but rejoice in my wedded state when encountering mothers like that one. You have my sympathy.”
“That woman is only after one thing, and it is not supporting veterans.”
“To be seen, and to catch the wealthiest, most titled man for her daughter.”
“Which surely rules me out?”
“Ah, but you’re so handsome.” Cam blinked several times. “Plus, you have money, a fact I’m sure she knows.”
“And they say men are ruthless.”
“It would certainly be easier if you simply married Miss Abernethy. Then the Lady Whitlows of this world will leave you alone.”
“I’m working on that, actually.”
“Excellent.” Cam slapped him on the back. “Work harder.”
They walked and talked to guests, making their way to where some of his family stood.
“Hello, darling, that’s a particularly fetching gown you’re wearing this evening,” Cam said, kissing his wife right there in the ballroom.
“That is not done, Sinclair,” Max drawled. “You nobles should know this. After all, people expect it of me, but not you.”
“Yes, we are a family for conforming, after all.”
This made them all laugh. And yet despite their lack of conformity, still society had not cast them out. James said it was because of him, as no one wanted to get on the wrong side of a duke.
Emily looked lovely in rose satin. This was her first event since the birth of Beth, and Wolf had to say she glowed. Essie was stunning too, in soft blue.
“The women in this family are eclipsing all others this evening,” Wolf said.
“How sweet of you,” Essie said. “We’ve had a great deal of fun preparing for tonight.”
“Yes, I can see the results; this place looks spectacular.”
“Kitty and Rose were a great help yesterday.”
“Kitty?” Cam asked.
“Miss Dodds. Did you know her father was in the clergy?”
“I’m not sure why I would?” Cam said.
“Did Rose know this about her friend?” Wolf asked.
“No, she was as surprised as we were. Miss Abernethy certainly is aware of her standing in life, and ours,” Essie added.
“Yesterday she told me she could not dance with me when I was attempting to teach the twins, and she was assisting on the piano.”
Wolf did not like the bolt of jealousy he felt thinking of Rose in Cam’s arms. The man was married, for God’s sake.
“Perhaps she does not know how to dance,” Wolf said.
“She does, her aunt taught her.”
“Why are you teaching the twins to dance?”
“Dev said they, Warwick, and Samantha can attend for the recital tonight and dance one dance.”
“I wonder if that will be the defining moment for us being hurled out of society,” Wolf said. “I have no issue with it, in fact I would love a dance with my little cousins, but you know how some of these people are. Children play a minor part in their lives.”
“Amen to that.” James joined the group. “My father went weeks without seeing us.”
“And now he is dining in hell with Lucifer. One only hopes he has at least fifty demon children joining him,” Cam added.
“Do you know, I quite like that picture,” the duke said, closing his eyes as if savoring it.
Wolf saw Rose then. She was taking the steps up to the piano. His eyes followed as she moved to the piano and arranged the music on the stand.
“Rose looks terrified,” Cam said.
He searched her face; she did look pale.
“Poor woman, this is unlike anything she has ever endured before. I do hope she does not faint,” Essie said.
“Oh dear, is she crying?”
God, is she? He couldn’t see her face as clearly as he normally would, which was odd.
“Her hands are trembling,” Max said.
“Excuse me.” Wolf walked away, intercepting Rose as she stepped off the last stair. “Hello, Rose.”
She was exquisite. The dress was an emerald green and made her hair come alive. Fitted over the bodice, it opened down the front and a lighter green shift showed beneath. Simple, and yet anything but on her.
“You looked beautiful.” The word seemed far too bland for what she was. She wore a simple green satin ribbon in her hair, and behind that was a mass of curls.
“Thank you. Mrs. Huntington and the duchess insisted I should wear this dress. It was far too generous of them.”
“They can afford it.”
“That does not mean they owe me anything, Captain.”
He liked that her words had bite, even though she was clearly terrified. Her eyes shot from him to the guests who milled around them.
“Will you walk with me?” He held out his arm.
“I should leave until I am needed.”
“No you shouldn’t. Now take my arm, Rose.”
“People will want to know who I am.”
“And I will tell them you are a famous pianist.�
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Her smile was small.
“Now raise your chin and put your shoulders back, and know that you look as beautiful as any woman in this room.”
“Now you’re being silly.”
Her eyes met his, and the breath lodged in his throat.
“I am rarely, if ever, silly.”
Wolf placed her hand on his arm and started walking.
“Don’t make eye contact, then no one will want to engage.”
“You make it sound so simple, and yet I have never been in such a setting, I don’t know what to do.”
“And yet it is not that taxing is it, as I am here with you.”
“No, and spending the last few days with your cousins has made me realize that not all nobility are as I had believed.”
“Which I believe I have been trying to tell you for some time.”
She huffed out a small breath.
“They are no different from you and me. As I have already explained, money doesn’t make a person. Some of these people are my friends, good and kind people, Rose. They will not upset you.”
“You make me sound shallow.”
“Shallow, no, but we will leave that alone for now. Tonight is not for censoring or hard words; tonight is for you to enjoy yourself. Tomorrow is soon enough to talk.”
Her fingers relaxed slightly on his arm. She’d obviously thought he’d bring up the marriage they would one day have, but he wouldn’t, not tonight. She was unsettled enough.
“Tell me again that you have no ill effects from the fire?”
“I am well, thank you. I can still not believe you came into that house when it was burning to rescue us. It was so brave. You could have been burned or worse, and that thought terrifies me.”
Surely that meant she cared?
Wolf knew people were looking at them, wondering who she was. Soon they would know, soon they would realize just how brilliant she was. Did he want that? It was he after all who had forced James to hold this concert.
“Captain Sinclair, will you introduce me to your companion?”
He’d known that men would want an introduction. She was too beautiful not to draw attention. But none of these men would want her for the woman she was; they would want her for something else entirely.
“Lord Brownly, please allow me to introduce you to Miss Abernethy. She is performing for us tonight.”
They were stopped several more times as they did a circuit of the room.
“And who is this?”
“Lady Whitlow.” Wolf bowed and tried not to gnash his teeth. “Allow me to introduce you to Miss Abernethy.”
“I do not recognize the name.” The woman’s voice was shrill and accusatory. Small eyes were narrowed on Rose.
“I am to perform tonight, Lady Whitlow.”
Surprised that Rose had spoken, Wolf looked down at her and saw her shoulders were back, chin up.
“Scottish!” The word was hissed from Lady Whitlow’s lips. “Well run along then, girl, my daughter and Captain Sinclair have much to discuss. They are quite close, you know.”
The sheer audacity of that statement shocked him so much that Rose slipped away before he could stop her.
“It really is not done, Captain Sinclair. Walking about with a pianist!”
Control, Wolf.
“Firstly, madam, who I spend my time with is of no concern to you and never will be. Secondly, I shall inform our prince how you feel, as just last week, I saw him keeping company with Miss Romano, a pianist.”
Lady Whitlow’s mouth fell open.
“Now let me make it quite clear to you, my lady, that I hold absolutely no interest in your daughter.” He stalked away, having committed at least twelve social indiscretions and not giving a damn.
Of Rose there was no sign.
Chapter 33
Rose fixed a smile on her face as she walked away from the disturbing Captain Sinclair and that woman.
“Are you all right, Rose?”
“I am, thank you, Mr. Sinclair.”
“I saw you speaking with that poisonous shrew Lady Whitlow.”
She could do nothing to stop the gasp.
“You’ll forgive me for being so candid, but there are those in society I would rather see retired to their estates with no possibility of a return.”
“Oh, well, yes, she seemed...”
“To have the persona of a hissing snake?”
Rose pressed a hand to her lips to stop any sound escaping.
“She has decided my cousin will suit her daughter. Luckily he has more sense than that.”
She was elated at his words.
“Say yes to him, Rose.”
“Pardon?”
The green eyes looked steadily down at her.
“My cousin is a good man, Rose. Marry him, it will make you both very happy.”
“Hello, Rose, are you ready for me to take you away from this idiot?” The duchess arrived.
“I am, your Grace, not that you are an idiot of course, Mr. Sinclair,” Rose said, realizing what she’d admitted to. He waved her words away.
“Think about what I said, Rose. That is all I ask of you.”
Rose managed to nod, then let the duchess lead her away.
“Ready, ladies?” The duke awaited them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yes, yes, get on with it if you please, James,” the duchess snapped.
“As we have just arrived here at the foot of the stairs, I’m not sure how I could ‘get on with it,’ any faster, wife.”
The duke looked handsome in a black jacket, and his wife beautiful in deep red. The look he threw his duchess was filled with humor.
“Are you nervous, my love?”
“Of course I’m bloody nervous,” the duchess hissed. “Who wouldn’t be in our positions?”
“But you’re the best pianist I’ve ever encountered, and you sing like an angel, so I’m not sure why. Forgive me, Rose, you are too.”
“Nothing to forgive, your Grace. I agree with you, the duchess is unsurpassed.”
“But you are her equal.”
The words had come from Wolf, who had arrived at her side.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His fingers wrapped around her elbow, and the gesture helped to calm the nerves that were steadily climbing inside her.
“You will be a sensation, my sweet Rose,” he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.
She wanted to be his sweet Rose, she realized. Wanted it desperately.
“I-I have no wish to be a sensation, I merely wish to get through the performance without making a fool of myself.”
“You could never be a fool.”
“Thank you. Your belief in me gives me strength.” Rose made herself face him, let him see what she had not said.
“Now you choose to show me how you feel? Here, in a room filled with hundreds of people.”
“Oh Lord, are there?”
The smiled he gave her filled every inch of his face. It was blinding in its beauty.
“Come along then, ladies, it is time.”
“We will talk later, my sweet.”
“Yes,” Rose whispered. “I want that.”
The duke took his duchess’s hand and started up the steps. Rose followed with Wolf, feeling happier than she had in a long time.
“Take your seat now, Rose.” His fingers stroked her arm before releasing her.
She went to her piano while the duchess did the same. Stretching her fingers, she sat and steadied herself.
“If I could have your attention please.”
It was Wolf speaking, looking so handsome in his black evening clothes—and he was hers. Rose had given in. She did not want to live without him.
“As you know, this event is to raise funds for those brave men who have fought for their country.”
Applause broke out.
“I fought and was lucky enough to come home to family and support when I was injured. Many don’t have this luxury
and are still suffering today. I would ask you this evening to give for a cause that is very important to me and my family, as it should be to you all. Help us find housing for these men and their families. Help us put food on their tables.”
With a bow, he stepped back to more applause.
“And now it is with pleasure I give you the Duchess of Raven and Miss Abernethy,” the duke said. Wolf’s eyes met hers, held, and then he was moving away.
Rose looked at the duchess, who in turn nodded.
One, two, and three, she counted silently, just as they’d practiced, and then she began.
Wolf walked down the steps with James and took the seat in the front row his family had saved him. From here he could see Rose clearly, watch her every expression, although strangely that was not as clear to him as it usually was. He switched his gaze to Eden and had no trouble reading the frown between her brows or intense concentration on her face.
“What?” Dev whispered from beside him.
“I can see Eden’s face clearly, but not Rose’s, which is odd, don’t you think?”
“Not really.”
“Why not really?”
Both men kept their eyes on the women, as did everyone else in the room. No one had moved or spoken, since the first note. They were captivated.
“I can’t see Lilly sometimes. I’m the only one she can touch without gloves. Eden sometimes can’t hear James, and Cam often can’t smell Emily’s scent when she approaches.”
“Ah” was all Wolf said. “It becomes clear now.”
“You care deeply for Miss Abernethy.”
“I do.”
Rose was totally absorbed in the music, her body swaying as she played, as Eden’s was. He’d seen the love in her eyes before they took the stairs. She’d given in and was going to be his to love. His wife. The thought made him smile.
“So much talent,” Emily said, seated next to him. “I can’t play a note.”
“Me either.”
“Can you sing?”
“No. Apollo’s ears go back if I try, and yesterday Hep barked at me when I sang an army song while bathing.”
Emily chuckled softly.
“They are quite something, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they are,” Wolf agreed.
He’d never felt like this before, the constant state of feeling as if one minute he was on his head, and the next his feet.
