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“That simply isn’t true,” Lady Selina replied. “It’s her turn to shine. She’s the bride.”
Lady Leah began to play, and Reuben stood at her side, dutifully turning the pages for her. They sang together. Lady Leah’s voice was a timorous soprano, and his brother was a rich, melodic tenor.
“My goodness,” Lady Selina remarked. “He does have a wonderful voice.”
“He does,” Jasper agreed. He could feel her presence at his side. She was like a brilliant light, drawing him in like a moth. He had never thought that there would be a feeling, like this. Or that engagement to the wrong lady would disastrously entangled him.
“It’s as smooth as silk,” she commented. As the two ended their duet, Lady Selina stood, clapping her hands. “Bravo!”
Jasper watched her. She was enjoying herself. She sat back down, as the two musicians continued attempting a second duet for the company.
She turned to him, folding her hands delicately in her lap. She smiled at him, and his pulse quickened. Was she not aware of the hold she had on him? Certainly, she knew how this whole situation tormented him!
“My Lady,” he said, raggedly.
“Yes, Your Grace?” she asked, then frowned. “Is something the matter? You look rather pale.”
He tugged at his cravat, feeling as though he were being strangled. He wondered how to bring it up without offending her, as he had during their first, disastrous conversation. He recalled how his heart had sunk as the smile had faded from her face.
“What’s this, Your Grace?” Lady Kirby said, walking over to them. “What are the two of you talking about?”
Jasper felt caught. He opened his mouth, but Lady Selina answered for him.
* * *
“How wonderful Lord Munro and Lady Leah’s voices are,” Selina replied smoothly. “Their choice in music is exquisite.”
Aunt Georgiana beamed as she looked over at her only daughter. “Yes, we hired that musician from Paris to give her lessons.” Selina’s eyes cut over to the Duke, who had a guilty look on his face.
“I recall—a Monsieur DuBois, was it not?” Lady Selina asked, recalling the staid little musician, who spoke in a heavy Parisian accent. He’d listened to her play, once, correcting every mistake by tapping on her wrist with a finger.
“It was,” Aunt Georgiana said. “Your memory is extraordinary, my dear.”
“Like a trap,” Selina said proudly. “Nothing gets away from me.”
“Very true, dear,” her aunt said, beaming at her.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear them both perform that Scottish tune that we were discussing just this morning?” Selina suggested. Her aunt had recently acquired some new sheet music and had been showing it to Selina.
“You’re right! I shall go straight over and ask them,” Aunt Georgiana declared, moving off.
Selina waited, expecting the Duke to press her for protestations of love—she was often the object of affections for gentlemen. He had already shown himself interested upon their first conversation. She was surprised when he was silent. She glanced over at him. He was tugging on his cravat.
“Are you unwell, Your Grace?” she asked, feeling bad for him. After all, it must be hard for him. He appeared to be a gentleman of honor.
“Perhaps a little, My Lady.” He cleared his throat.
Mr. Wickes entered, walking over to her uncle, and speaking in an urgent voice. Her uncle looked horrified, clearly having just received some shocking news.
“What do you think is going on?” Selina asked, burning with curiosity.
“I’ll go and find out,” the Duke said, standing. Not one to be left behind when something was happening, Selina followed close behind.
“They were attacked, My Lord,” Mr. Wickes was saying. “By bandits, out on the road.”
“Who was, Wickes?” the Duke asked.
“Lord and Lady Morton, Your Grace,” Mr. Wickes said. “They’re alive and unharmed, but shaken, from what I’ve been told. As soon as they returned home, they sent word.”
“Good grief,” her uncle said.
“We should go and check the roads,” the Duke said, immediately taking charge of the situation, for which Selina silently applauded him. Her opinion was not wanted at the moment. “Stephen, Reuben, Lord Kirby— we should go, now. See if we see anyone fitting the description.” He turned to the Dowager Duchess. “Shall I escort you home, Mother?”
“I’ll stay here, with the ladies,” she replied. “Come and collect me when you know it’s safe.”
“Very well,” he said. The Duke’s eyes met Selina’s. She looked away. It was improper for him to be so concerned about her and not his fiancée. Luckily, he did as he was supposed and walked over to Lady Leah, bidding her farewell.
All the gentlemen left the room, leaving the ladies in stunned silence. Aunt Georgiana took charge of the situation.
“Mr. Wickes!” she called out. “I believe some tea is in order.”
