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Sophie gasped. “I have to go first?”
Cam nodded. “Trust me, it’s for the best. This is your first audition. If you went second or third or, God forbid, last, you would sit here all day and your nerves would get the best of you. You would have to hear all of the other singers, and you would find something better in their voices than what you have in your own. You would be wrong, of course. Your voice is unique and engaging, Sophie. But I know how timid you are, and it would not be good for you to listen to the other auditions.”
She nodded, h
er tummy gurgling. He was undoubtedly right…but first? “Cameron, I don’t know that I can go through with this. I honestly…feel quite ill at the moment.”
“That’s just nerves. Trust me, I have been to my share of auditions in my lifetime. The belly flutters never go away. But you can do this. Just breathe deeply, concentrate, and pretend you’re at home, singing alone in the conservatory.”
“I don’t know…”
“I will be here with you. I’ll be playing for you. If you feel yourself losing focus, just look over to me, and I will get you back to where you need to be.”
Sophie inhaled and let her breath out slowly, willing her heart to stop stampeding. “All right. I will do my best. Ally really wants me to do this, and she must know what she’s doing. Maybe.”
“She does.” Cam nodded. “Newland is ready for you. He’s sitting out in the theatre where the acoustics are best.”
Sophie glanced out. Yes, there he was, looking as amazing as ever. She wished she hadn’t looked. Perhaps if she could pretend she was singing to empty space, this would be easier.
She turned back to Cam. “One more thing. What is a green room?”
Cam smiled. “It’s a room off the theatre for the performers when they’re not on stage.”
Sophie nodded. Of course. She should have known that. She should know a lot of things if she was going to go through with this. She was so out of place here.
“Walk out on stage now,” Cam urged.
She swallowed, gathered as much confidence as she could muster—which wasn’t much—and strode onto the stage.
“Everything all right, my lady?” Mr. Newland said from the audience.
Sophie cleared her throat softly. “Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. Whenever you’re ready, then.”
Sophie glanced at Cameron, who had sat down at the pianoforte. “Are you ready, Sophie?”
She inhaled again, more deeply this time, and blew out her breath in a slow stream, closing her eyes. She loved the aria, knew it by heart, and could sing it in her sleep. Slowly, she opened her eyes, looked over at Cam, and nodded.
Cameron began the introduction to the song.
Sophie opened her mouth, ready to sing, but at her musical cue, nothing came out. Her cheeks warmed, and she trembled all over. She looked back at Cam, pleading with her eyes. He stopped playing.
“My lady, is anything wrong?” Mr. Newland asked.
Goodness gracious, now what? Sophie opened her mouth to say, “Yes, something is wrong. I have no business being here,” but Cam spoke first.
“It’s my fault, Newland. I made an error during the intro, and Lady Sophie wasn’t able to begin at the correct time. Let’s just try it again.”
“Very well,” Mr. Newland said, smiling.
Cameron had not made a mistake. Sophie knew he was covering for her, and no doubt Mr. Newland knew as well.
She swallowed. Ally had bested her in that bet, even if she had been sneaky. Naïve little Sophie would just have to do better next time. Still, she was not a dodger. She had lost the bet, and she would pay up. Time for the audition.
She turned to Cameron and mouthed, “Thank you.” Then she nodded.
Cameron began playing again.
