“That is quite the original approach,” Lady Mary said.
Rosalind nodded. “You are to know, Lady Mary, that my family are all artistic souls at heart. Cordelia does a terrific Desdemona to entertain us, Viola just took up painting two days ago and is turning out to be rather talented, and then my youngest sister Juliet is a first-rate poetess.”
“Ode to Hay,” Miss Mayton said softly. “I am still moved by it.”
“Lady Rosalind did mention that particular ode at Almack’s,” the duke said, a smile playing at the edge of his lips. “Though she could not recall the precise phrasings.”
“Butyoudo, Aunt,” Rosalind said, pleased with the duke’s determined remembrance of something she had spoken of.
“Ah yes,” Miss Mayton said. She cleared her throat and recited:
Reaching for the sun and sprung from the ground
As we trot on by, we see it all around
A farmer joyfully feeds his horses and cows
While the ground that sprung the hay graciously bows.
In the silence that followed, Lady Mary said, “Well that is…that is rather…something.”
“Do not think badly of yourself for feeling overcome, Lady Mary,” Miss Mayton said. “It is often the case when one first hears Lady Juliet’s poignant stylings.”
“Lady Mary does seem a bit overcome,” the duke said. “As that ode is indeedsomething.”
Rosalind nodded approvingly at the duke. “Now,” she said, “I was going to tell Lady Hightower that I could not play because of a sore finger. But what do you think, Miss Mayton?”
“It sounds to me as if everybody will be a rather good player, and so perhaps you need not worry that you will outshine them.”
“Just as I thought,” Rosalind said, pleased as anything that she would have her chance to play.
“I believe I will get a glass of wine from the sideboard,” Lady Mary said. She made a stumbling curtsy and hurried toward that stated destination.
“The wine will calm her nerves, which seem all a-jangle,” Miss Mayton said. “I suppose she is one of those who are deeply affected by poetry.”
“Certainly, something has affected her,” Conbatten said drily. “Now, may I retrieve a glass of wine for both of you? Lady Hightower has told me she has got a very good Tokay.”
“None for me, Duke,” Rosalind said. “I would keep my mind sharp to better commune with the music. By the by, do you suppose it is likely that these sorts of affairs are ever attacked by bands of masked thieves?”
The duke looked perplexed over the question. “Do you fear such a thing, Lady Rosalind?”
“Not fear, exactly. I was just wondering about it.”
“It is highly doubtful, as I have never heard of such a thing. It being so improbable, I have very sensibly left my pistols at the door. Miss Mayton, may I get you a glass of wine?”
“Oh yes, and then since you will be there, perhaps a little plate of whatever is sweet.”
The duke bowed and made his way to the sideboard.
“He is so wonderful,” Rosalind whispered to her aunt.
“I find I must agree,” Miss Mayton said. “He hangs on your every word.”
“But he says it is not at all likely that we will be attacked this evening,” Rosalind said. “I do wish an opportunity for him to rescue me would arrive in all haste. How else am I to throw myself into his arms and declare that his love is requited?”
“Do not lose hope, my dear. For all we know, a fire might be starting in the kitchens as we speak and he would have to carry you through flames and smoke as you laid lifeless in his arms. Absolutely anything could happen.”
Rosalind reached out and grasped her aunt’s hand and gave it a good squeeze. “You always do know how to buoy my spirits, Aunt.”
