Page 67 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

Harris nodded and left the room.

‘Please sit down, Mr Kelly.’

He took the quilted green velvet chair opposite.

‘I understand you are here because of your interest in the music-tutor position for my son.’

‘Yes, and please accept my apologies for not expressing my interest sooner. I happened to overhear a conversation in Port Starr between two gentlemen and that was the first I knew of it.’

I tried to concentrate on the matter at hand and not the attractive manner in which his mouth tilted upwards at the corners.

Harris returned with a fresh tray of afternoon tea and set it on the table. Once Harris had gone, I started to pour from our blue-and-white Kangxi porcelain teapot. I glanced upwards to pass him his cup and saucer.

He was studying me.

When he realised I had noticed I was the focus of his attention, he swiftly turned his head away to admire one of our portraits of The Hawthorns. ‘Thank you, madam.’

‘It’s Mrs Lapley,’ I said, handing him his tea. ‘So, you are a music teacher?’

He held his cup and saucer between long, slender fingers. ‘Yes. I am. I was delivering violin instruction to three young students in Dundee, two sisters and a brother, but they and their family have since moved to France, and I am seeking a new position.’ Mr Kelly took a sip of his tea and placed it gently down on the occasional table beside him. ‘I have also played the galoubet and violin in the Rose Mount Royal Orchestra.’

‘Isn’t that the orchestra which recently travelled to Venice?’ I asked, impressed.

‘It certainly was, Mrs Lapley. It was a truly thrilling experience.’

‘I’m sure it was.’

He pinned me to my chair with his dazzling brown gaze. ‘Earning a decent living from music is very difficult, unless you are hired by nobility to entertain them.’ His honesty was admirable and endearing. ‘That is why I supplement my income by tutoring in the subject that I adore.’

I nodded my understanding. ‘And you have no wife or family who are dependent upon you?’

His eyes locked with mine. ‘No, I am not married nor have any children. My parents have passed five years since, and I was an only child. Music is my mistress.’

I cleared my throat. There was something about this man that was compelling.

‘Would you permit me the honour of playing for you, Mrs Lapley?’

I blinked. ‘You mean, this instant?’

‘I do. I wish to impress you.’ He stared fixedly at me again.

I tried to release a small breath that was lodged in my throat. ‘Oh. Well. Yes. That would be delightful.’

I smoothed the layers of my gown and watched as he strode out of the drawing room to return with a rather tired violin case. He flicked the lock and removed his bow and a striking violin from inside.

I admired its fine burnished angles. ‘It is beautiful.’

Gideon Kelly smiled his appreciation and sat down again. ‘It is a Bergonzi made from spruce and maple. I had to undertake a great deal of manual labour in order to purchase it.’ He ran one finger around its curves. ‘I am of the opinion that each violin has its own personality, its own voice and character. Often, I feel it speaks for me.’

The passion in his voice was undeniable, as he rose to his feet and towered over me.

I stood up, bewitched.

‘What should you like me to play, Mrs Lapley?’

I blinked at him. ‘You wish me to request a piece of music?’

‘I would like nothing more.’