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“I was but nine, so you would have been ten,” Rose said. “It was a wonderful performance.” She laughed. “Thomas was seventeen. He escorted me and Papa escorted Lily. We had such fun playing grownup.” Rose’s face glowed. “All right, Lily, I’ll play the Mozart for you.” Her hands began dancing over the keys again, lightly bringing forth the delicate sonata.
Evan eventually went to sit beside her on the piano bench, watching her attentively. Daniel took Lily’s hand in his and kiss her upturned palm. Lily smiled at him, enjoying the music and his attentions. Rose played for over an hour, ending with Scarlatti’s sonata.
“You do play beautifully, my lady,” Daniel said. “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a concert more.”
“You flatter me, Your Grace,” Rose said. “But thank you for the compliment, and thank you also for allowing me to use the conservatory. It was a pleasure to play such a magnificent instrument.”
“It’s been a long time since anyone has played it so compellingly. Please feel free to use the conservatory anytime you wish during your stay at Laurel Ridge.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“I must agree with His Grace, Rose,” Evan said. “Your playing is compelling—more than just talent and technique. There is an emotional component to your music that is nearly indescribable. I’m not sure the composers themselves could have played their own pieces any better, or with more feeling.”
“My lord, I do believe that is the nicest compliment I have ever received,” Rose said, lowering her head. “I do thank you.”
“It’s quite late. May I see you to your chamber?” he asked her, standing and helping her to her feet.
“Yes, that would be fine. Lily can accompany us.”
“Actually,” Lily said. “I would like for Daniel to explain some of these lovely paintings to me. Would you care to wait a bit?”
“I’m frightfully tired,” Rose said. “I-I suppose it’s all right for us to go alone. It’s just a walk to our chamber, after all. Shall we, my lord?” Rose took Evan’s arm and he led her out of the conservatory.
“Alone at last,” Daniel said to Lily, kissing her lightly on the lips. “Your sister is a splendid talent.”
“I told you so,” Lily said. “She has always considered herself a merely adequate musician. She’s so blasted modest, it’s annoying. But I think she’s incredible.”
“I agree, but you’re even more incredible, in my humble opinion.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, opening her lips with his tongue.
“Daniel, the paintings…”
“Can we talk about them tomorrow?” he asked softly, teasing her neck with warm, moist kisses.
“I suppose so. But Daniel, I can’t go to your chamber again… I can’t… Oh, bother.”
Daniel led her out of the conservatory, down the hall and up the servants’ staircase to his chamber.
* * *
Amelia stood in the dark outside the bachelor house. Jameson had come back from taking a walk with the skinny blond wench and then had gone inside and hadn’t come out again. It was still early. What on earth was going on in there? Was she losing her touch? Jameson hadn’t responded to any of her subtle advances when he escorted her to her chamber during dinner. She had ruined a perfectly good gown for nothing. She had never failed to attract any man of her choosing in the past, but just days ago the duke had rebuffed her. She would simply have to be more persuasive with Lord Jameson.
She may have lost the first battle, but she had every intention of winning the war.
Chapter 10
In Daniel’s chamber, a small feast awaited them again at the table in the sitting window. “What is that glorious smell?” Lily asked, inhaling.
“I’ll show you in a minute. First…”
He turned her toward the wall facing the bed. In place of St. Praxedis hung Lily’s two watercolors, framed in dark cherry.
“Oh!”
“Thank you for the paintings, Lily.” He kissed the top of her head. “I hope you meant for me to keep them, because I’m going to anyway.”
“Yes, of course, I want you to have them,” Lily said. “But where is the Vermeer, Daniel?”
“I took it down.”
