fourteen
ANGELINE COULDN’T STOP pacing moments before her ridiculous debut as a pianist. If the situation hadn’t terrified her, she’d laugh.
She mentally rehearsed her hand movements. Not that she needed to be extremely precise. The piano had been turned to an angle from where the audience wouldn’t see her hands. But if she moved her hands at the wrong moments, like during a pause in the music, she’d look like an idiot. Or worse, the fraud she was.
“Angeline.” Royston entered the sitting room where the silent piano was.
Her gaze dropped unbidden to his sculpted lips. Goodness. She’d kissed him. She wanted to kiss him again. But not now. The whole absurd affair of her playing the piano hadn’t allowed her to think of Royston.
“I’m nervous,” she said.
“No need to be.” He stopped next to her. His warmth stroked her cheek. “We practised. You can do it.”
“Will you kiss me again?” Dash it. She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I blurt things out when I’m nervous.”
He laughed, his hazel eyes shining. “Then you should be nervous more often, and yes, I’ll kiss you again. Gladly.”
Mama entered the room, fixing a wayward curl. “It’s time. My lord, please go to the other room. Darling, you look lovely. You’ll be great. I’m so proud of you.”
Angeline scowled. “For what possible reason? I’m not doing anything but fooling people.”
Royston gave her an encouraging smile before disappearing into the study.
At least a kiss would be her reward. And Mama had promised not to interfere with her choice of a husband.
Let the farce begin.
From the study,Royston could hear the sounds of footfalls and the voices of Mrs. Haywood’s guests— Havisham, Lady Redvers, and her daughter.
He’d wait until the end of the performance to search the room when he was sure no one would disturb him, but he couldn’t deny a nervous thrill going through him. It was like the old times when he’d snuck inside a house to steal money and jewels. Guilt was giving him a headache, but if he wanted that bloody seat in the House of Lords, he had to be a thief one last time.
Even through the wall, Angeline’s voice sounded forced and strained. If anything, the ruse proved she wasn’t a good liar or comfortable deceiving others. She’d been truly upset and nervous earlier. She couldn’t be involved in her mother’s business. He refused to consider that option.
Mrs. Haywood’s voice instead burst with joy. “I’m thrilled to have you all here today. It was about time that Angeline’s incredible talent was recognised.”
“What are you going to play for us, Miss Haywood?” Lady Redvers said.
“A waltz from…” Angeline hesitated. “Strauss’s Emperor Waltz, my lady.”
There were shuffling and whispering noises.
“Well, we’re ready,” Angeline said in a too-cheerful voice.
That was the signal. He counted to ten and started. He did his best to follow the music in the way he and Angeline had planned it. The notes drifted from his piano, loud and clear.
The music brought back good memories of when he’d played for his mother, and some not so pleasant memories of when she’d died. Sometimes her pale face, contorted with pain, filled his vision; the image was so vivid he believed he could touch her. Certainly, the pain he felt was real.
He finished the piece with a bitter-sweet feeling in his chest. If Angeline had done her part well, their ruse would work.
“Wonderful, Miss Haywood,” Havisham said. “I believe that the piano is your true calling. Forget archery. You have a future as a pianist. Don’t you agree, Lady Redvers?”
“Thank you, my lord.” That was Angeline.
“Well, I had no idea Miss Haywood was such a talent.” Lady Redvers’s bitter tone betrayed her annoyance.
“Miss Haywood has real talent,” Miss Taylor said. “I would love to hear about your tricks for performing the most difficult passages.”
“I… well…” Angeline coughed. “Hard work.”
