Patience curtsied to the matron. “Lady Kembleford,” she said.
“Ah, Lady Patience, very good to know you. My daughter has told me of your kind invitation to dine.”
Patience nodded. “Thank you for allowing her to come, Lady Kembleford.”
The lady nodded. Then, looking over Patience’s head, she said, “Gracious, there is Lady Violet, I’ve not seen her in an age. I must catch up.”
With that, she sailed off to reacquaint herself with Lady Violet.
“I am glad you are here,” Lady Alice said. “I find myself unaccountably nervous.”
Patience thought that was indeed unaccountable. Why should Lady Alice be nervous? They were only attending a small party.
“I suppose it’s the idea of so many people staring that makes me uneasy.”
Patience glanced around but could not identify the people staring. Who did she think was staring?
“Well, I suppose I make too much of it. I suppose people will spend very little time considering me and will likely be thinking of their own affairs as I play.”
Now Patience began to understand Lady Alice. “Oh, I see, Lady Jenner has pressed you into playing the pianoforte.” She really did not see how Lady Alice had allowed herself to be pressed into such a thing. Patience herself would not have, even if shecouldplay an instrument.
Just then, Patience saw Lord Stanford enter the room with Lord Radner. She smiled at him. He was looking smashing!
“I suppose she’s pressed us all, has she not?” Lady Alice asked.
Patience turned toward her. “All? She said nothing to me about it. Only that she was glad I’d agreed to come.”
“It was in the invitation, though,” Lady Alice said. “It is a musical evening and all the young ladies are expected to play.”
“Play?” Patience asked. “Play what?”
Lady Alice looked at her quizzically. “The pianoforte, usually. Though there is a harp tucked in the corner so perhaps that too. I imagine she’s got a guitar and a violin somewhere as well.”
