Sophia couldn’t recall the last time she had performed with male voices.Her stomach fluttered with equal parts anticipation and anxiety as she made her way to the harpsichord.“You seem comfortable there.”She waved at Fairfax at the pianoforte.“I wouldn’t want to dislodge you.”
Acknowledging their private joke, he dipped his chin and gave her a small grin.
They quickly agreed on what to play, and Sophia admitted they did sound good together.Part of her wished she could step back as an impartial observer to simply take it in and enjoy the music produced by two such talented men, but she needed to focus on playing and singing at least as well as her partners.
Once they proved that they did indeed perform well together, Mrs.Royston and Mrs.Digby took turns requesting songs.Sophia temporarily dismissed her concerns about Mildred and Lord Wingfield, and surrendered to the sheer joy of making beautiful music.They often coaxed Mrs.Royston and Mrs.Digby to sing, too, and occasionally Henry howled along, making it a sextet.
Perhaps another night she would be able to just listen, as she wanted to give more attention to the men’s voices.Mr.Huntley sang tenor with a few lower notes tossed in here and there.Fairfax could not soar quite as high as his friend, but he was a passable tenor, excellent baritone, and several times Sophia could swear he dipped down into bass range.And he played the pianoforte with talent, not just competence.If he was not a viscount, perhaps he would have been a professional musician.
* * *
The next afternoon Sophia exchanged her silk slippers for her Grecian sandals, and hurried to the beach as soon as Mrs.Digby went upstairs for her lie-down.Relief washed through her when she saw Mildred chatting with Theo next to the bluff at her excavation site.
“Father said he has not heard anything about a Lord Wingfield, wicked or otherwise,” Theo said as soon as Sophia joined them in their usual conversation circle, seated on chair-sized boulders.
“Mrs.Digby has a new guest, fresh from London,” Sophia said as she slipped the roll and other foods she’d saved for Mildred into the little basket alongside the food Theo had brought.She tucked the checked cloth back over it to keep out the sand.“I’ve been trying to think of how to bring up Wingfield in conversation.See if Mr.Huntley knows anything about your fiancé.”
Mildred brightened.“That would be ever so helpful!”
“Speaking of helpful…” Sophia glanced to make sure Marshall was at his usual hobby of throwing rocks into the sea, out of hearing.“You must stop walking on the beach after dark.It’s drawing attention from people inside the house.At least two maids and Mrs.Digby have seen you, thinking you’re the Grey Lady ghost.”
“At night?”Mildred shook her head, her blonde curls bobbing.“I never venture out of the cave after dark.Unless I have to visit the privy, and I made sure it’s in a well-hidden spot.”She pointed to a collection of boulders that had tumbled down the cliff, not far from the entrance to the tunnel.Too close to the base of the bluff to be seen from the house.
“If it’s not you,” Theo said, her brow furrowed, “who can it be?”
“I’ve heard a few noises,” Mildred said slowly.“I thought it was just the bats.And you know how rushing water can sound like human voices.”She nodded, as though that settled the matter.
“You don’t think it’s an actual ghost, do you?”Theo looked incredulous that Sophia could believe such a thing.
Sophia shook her head.“Mrs.Digby doesn’t think so, and neither does her nephew, Lord Fairfax.In fact, that’s why he came to visit.To investigate the ghost sightings.”
Mildred gasped.“We can’t have him poking about!What if he comes into the tunnel?”
“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to come to the house?”Sophia grasped Mildred’s hand.“Mrs.Digby seems to genuinely enjoy company, even unexpected guests.She was delighted when Fairfax’s friend arrived with little notice.”
Hmm.
Mr.Huntley was unattached, charming, and handsome.Not to mention musically talented and—possibly most important for Mildred as his potential bride—had a decidedly full head of hair.That Mrs.Digby had known him for years and liked him enough to insist he call her Aunt spoke to his good character.And since he had attended the same school and traveled in the same social circles as a viscount, surely he was wealthy enough to satisfy Mr.Ebrington’s needs and get him to call off his daughter’s betrothal to Wicked Lord Wingfield.
As if conjured by her thoughts, two of the figures who had been strolling along the water’s edge changed direction, coming inland, directly toward the trio.
“Miss Walden, what a delightful surprise,” Fairfax called as the two men approached.
“Times three,” Mr.Huntley added, gifting a smile to each of the women in turn.
The three ladies stood, shaking out their skirts, and Sophia performed the introductions.
Was that a distinctive sparkle in Mr.Huntley’s eyes when he bowed over Mildred’s hand?And was the chit blushing in response?So pleased with the initial success of her nascent matchmaking plans, Sophia almost forgot that Fairfax had lied just now, albeit a tiny one.He knew full well that she came down to the beach every afternoon, and that he was quite likely to find her here at this time of day.Not a surprise at all.
Beachcombing was an unusual pastime for two adult men.And they had walked right past Marshall without joining in his rock throwing contest.
Was it possible they were following her?Spying on her?
But why?
Had Fairfax realized after all that she had been trying to distract him yesterday?
“Miss Mildred Ebrington?”Mr.Huntley repeated.“Of the Newbury Ebringtons?”
