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“Then I will forgive you, My Lord,” she said, smiling warmly. “Would you care to have a seat beside me?”
“Thank you, My Lady,” he replied, seating himself a polite distance from her. “Why do you separate yourself from all of the others?”
“I’m afraid that someone’s going to demand music soon, My Lord,” she replied. Behind him, she could see the whole party. The Duke was watching them, a mysterious look on his face.
“Is that so dreadful?” Lord Munro asked her. She turned her eyes to him.
“It is when you’re a lady, My Lord,” she replied, with mock seriousness. “You see, when you’re a lady, you will always be prevailed upon to prove to all the world that you’re accomplished.”
“Is that so, My Lady?” His brow furrowed, and he was grinning lopsidedly. He was awkward, puppyish. There was the difference between the brothers—the Duke was dashing, all straight edges.
“It is so, My Lord,” she stated. “I just don’t know how to break it to the present party that I prefer to give dramatic readings of poetry to playing the pianoforte.”
“I’m sure they would understand, My Lady,” he said, “Although, if it would help, I can take your place.”
“I would much obliged, My Lord.” She smiled at him, turning her eyes to the rain, falling down the panes. Thunder rumbled from off in the distance, causing a chill to run down her spine.
“Ominous weather,” Lord Munro commented.
“Indeed,” she agreed.
* * *
Jasper couldn’t bear it any longer. When the ladies and Stephen moved to form a card game, he strode across the room, to join his brother and the Lady Selina.
“Your Grace,” Lady Selina said as he neared. His brother turned, smiling at him languorously.
“What are you two discussing?” Jasper asked, curiously.
“We’re discussing the rain, Your Grace,” Lady Selina said. “It’s very ominous weather, is it not?”
“Very much so, My Lady.”
“How about we have some music?” Lord Kirby suggested to the room. “Selina, would you get us started?”
“Seeing how Lady Leah is the bride,” Selina suggested. “Why doesn’t she have the honor of doing so?”
“Quite right!” Lord Kirby said, turning to his daughter. Leah colored but stood up and walked to the pianoforte.
“That was very well done, My Lady,” Lord Munro said. “I can’t help noticing how often Lady Leah gets slighted in the present company.”
“I wholeheartedly agree, My Lord,” she replied. “It certainly doesn’t help cousinly affection.”
“I’ll go and see if Lady Leah would care to play a duet,” Lord Munro said, standing up.
“Oh, please do, My Lord,” Lady Selina said. “I’d love to hear your renowned voice.” Jasper felt a little flare of jealousy. After all, his younger brother was well-liked by all, and he was not engaged to be married.
“I had no idea his voice was renowned,” Jasper murmured.
“By his own admission, Your Grace,” Lady Selina said, smiling widely. They both watched his brother walk over to his fiancée. Lady Leah stared at Reuben, wide-eyed, before nodding.
The two began to pore over the sheet music, choosing a duet to play. Jasper glanced toward the other side of the room, where both Lord and Lady Kirby, Stephen, and his mother sat, playing a game of bridge. He and Lady Selina were unobserved, for the moment.
“Why don’t you want to perform, My Lady?” he asked, curious as to why a lady who was so lively in talking was not desirous of taking the floor when asked to play.
“Certainly, you’ve noticed how Lady Leah wants to have attention?” Lady Selina asked him.
“Not any more than any other Lady,” he remarked.
