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“Now”—she turned to Kat—“my precious, what would you like to do today?”
“I have it all planned,” Kat said. “First, I want to listen to you play the pianoforte. Then, we’ll read a story. Then, I want to go out and play.”
“Kat, Lady Rose is a lady of the peerage. She doesn’t play,” Mrs. Price said.
“Of course I do! I’d love to play with you, Kat. We’ll do whatever you like. She is strong enough to play, is she not, Mrs. Price?”
“I’d rather she not run around, my lady.”
“Mum!” Kat whined.
“Don’t you worry, Kat. I have another idea,” Rose said. “I brought Lily’s mare with me, and I can take you riding. Would you like that?”
“Oh, could I, Mum?”
“I suppose so. She would ride with you, my lady?”
“Yes.”
“Can Tricia come too?” Kat asked.
“Of course. I was planning to invite her.”
“Just don’t go too far,” Mrs. Price warned.
“We’ll let Tricia lead the way,” Rose said.
“Perfect,” Kat said.
“Good. Now, what would you like to hear me play first?” Rose sat down at the pianoforte.
“Anything at all,” Kat said. “You play wonderfully.”
“All right. What is this, I wonder?” Rose fingered some parchment sitting on the bench. She put it in order and began to play. It was a ballad. “Did Mr. Price write this?” she asked.
“Yes, my lady,” Tricia said. “Those are some of the notes for the commission he was working on when Kat was in the hospital.”
“Really? These are only drafts?” Her fingers danced over the keys. “It’s lovely isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Tricia said. “He said it was his best work.”
“Right. You told me that, didn’t you?” Rose continued playing.
The music was tender and loving and brought a tear to her eye. The notes evoked images of Cam’s tender lovemaking, of him bringing water for her bath, taking care of her virginal body. Abruptly she stopped playing.
“Is anything wrong?” Tricia asked.
“No. Let’s just have something a little more lively, shall we?”
Rose played some rowdy folk songs, and they all sang together. Even Mrs. Price joined in. After about an hour, Mrs. Price made some tea and they all partook.
“Now, little Kat. What story would you like to hear?” Rose asked.
“Cam gave me a new book when I got home from the hospital. Could you read that one?”
“Of course. Bring it to me.”
Rose read while Kat sat on her lap. The story was not long, and when Rose had spoken the last word, she held Kat on her lap for a few more moments, stroking the little girl’s dark hair. “Are you ready to go riding, my dear?” she asked.
