After supper, theyall gathered in the music room where the ladies took turns at the pianoforte, including the bride-to-be, whose performance greatly outshone the others. When praised, she reminded them all, “I taught music at the girl’s school in Bath.” When everyone continued to praise her, Miss Whitchurch blushed prettily, and Thompson stood proudly beside his betrothed.
Next, Theodora took over the music duties, performing several familiar tunes until Duncan begged for a favorite Scottish ballad. “Papa,” Theodora pleaded, “that song is so sad.”
“It was your mother’s favorite,” Duncan reminded them all.
Theodora sighed heavily in resignation. “I do not have the voice to give the ballad credit.”
The rest of their party looked to each other until Lady Freya asked, “Which ballad?”
Aaran’s interest instantly piqued, for he knew which song Duncan would request. Aaran sat straighter. He wondered if Lady Freya had the voice for the song.
Meanwhile, Duncan responded, “‘Lord Thomas and Lady Ellender.’”
Lady Freya glanced around the room. The emotions crossing her features said she was having second thoughts. Then her shoulders shifted slightly and she nodded her agreement. “Might I return to the harp?” she asked.
“Of course,” Duncan said with a nod of approval.
Theodora rose, as if to abandon the pianoforte, but Lady Freya asked, “If you would accompany me, my lady, I would be deeply grateful.”
Theodora said, “I would be honored,” and both ladies played the first few notes until they agreed upon how to begin.
Aaran watched closely as Lady Freya balanced the instrument against her shoulder and plucked a few notes, refreshing the music in her memory. At length, she nodded to Theodora to begin the introduction. When she joined in, Aaran could see how she had become part of the music as her fingers caressed the strings. He wished they had children who could emulate and admire their mother, for he held no doubt that Lady Freya’s performance would be spectacular. She was so beautiful in her stillness before she struck the first few strings that the image snatched Aaran’s breath away.
She sang…
Lord Thomas was a bold forester
And chastener of the King’s deer.
Fair Eleanor was a lady gay
Lord Thomas, he loved her dear
Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender
Sat all day on a hill;
When night came, and the sun was gone,
They’d not yet said their fill.
Entranced by both her beauty and her voice, Aaran sat perfectly still, as did each in the room, including the servants, all fearing to break the enchantment Lady Freya had placed on the room.
Lord Thomas spoke a word in jest
And Ellender took it ill:
“Oh, I’ll never marry me a wife
Against my family’s will.”
Aaran thought the words he had heard at least a hundred times suddenly felt very personal.
“If you will never wed thee a wife,
A wife will never wed thee!”
So he rode home to tell his mother
