Her eyes flew open, and she met his gaze. He flashed her a brief, wry smile.
“Capital,” said Papa. “I’ll have one of the footmen dash to the music room to fetch Charlie’s fiddle.”
While her father made those arrangements, Kade escorted her to the pianoforte.
“I’m sorry about this,” she quietly said.
“Don’t be. I’m looking forward to hearing you play.”
“I have a feeling you’ll regret it.”
He arranged the bench in front of the instrument. “There’s nothing to worry about, Charlie. Just play something you’re comfortable with, and I’ll follow along.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry to be such a die-away miss, and I’m also sorry this isn’t a better instrument.”
He sat down at the keyboard, deftly flipping his coat behind him. “We have a similar one at Kinglas, so I’m sure it will be fine. It’s tuned, no doubt.”
“Yes.”
When he glanced at her hands, she realized she’d actually been wringing them.
Idiot.
“Charlotte, please don’t fret about this.” His deep, quiet voice seemed to resonate in her bones. “I promise everything will be fine. Just be yourself.”
She let out a slow breath and felt some of the tension drain from her shoulders. “You’re right, of course. I’m being silly.”
He smiled. “Never.”
As Papa bustled up with her case, the others rearranged their chairs to listen. Angus dragged a padded bench over and placed it directly in front of Richard before plunking down on the seat.
“Sir, must you sit right there?” Richard huffed.
“When yer as old as I am, ye can sit wherever ye want.”
When Angus winked at Charlie, she was forced to stifle a laugh.
Papa opened her case and handed her the fiddle. Kade leaned over to look at the instrument.
“Ah, that looks like a Betts,” he said. “I commend you on your excellent taste, Miss Charlotte.”
Her father got a bit starchy. “I am well able to afford my daughter a good instrument, Kendrick. While we may be simple Highlanders, we are not lacking in taste.”
Charlie widened her eyes at her father, but he refused to look at her.
“That is readily apparent, my lord,” Kade replied with a friendly nod. “This pianoforte is also an excellent instrument. It’s a privilege to be able to play it.”
“Hrumph,” said Papa, slightly mollified. He patted Charlie’s shoulder and returned to his seat.
She tested the fiddle’s strings, trying to think of a piece that might suit them both. But she was simply a girl from the Highlands, while he was . . . Kade Kendrick.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Do you know ‘The Elfin Knight’?”
“I do, and it’s an excellent choice.”
Tucking the fiddle under her chin, Charlie sent a quick prayer up to the heavens. Then she lifted her bow and began to play. Thankfully, she knew the ballad so well she barely had to think, and it took several bars before she realized Kade had yet to join in.
