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Chapter Four
Thedowageropenedthedouble doors and swept into the room ahead of the ladies. “And this is our music room,” she announced. “I am hoping we can depend on each of you to perform during the small musicale I have planned for next week.”
Grace took in the room. Light yellow curtains framed the windows along one wall. Her eyes were drawn to them immediately as they were her favorite shade. There was a pianoforte nearest them, and beside that instrument, a small table with a lovely bust statue. There weren’t many chairs in the room, but most likely the staff would bring more in on the night of the musicale.
“What a charming space,” Lady Augusta said from beside Grace. The woman’s parents, Lord and Lady Honeyfield, had shown themselves thus far to be kind and considerate guests. Their daughter equally so. “I think all would enjoy a musicale in such a delightful room.”
“I am quite the proficient on the pianoforte,” Lady Katherine said, her pitch as high and screeching as ever. “I would be happy to close the night out for us all.” She turned toward Grace and Lady Augusta. “I believe that would allow everyone to end their evening most happily entertained.”
Grace only blinked in response—she never would have dared be so bold herself. Torequestto be the final performer? Heavens, it was nearly a declaration of one’s self as the absolute best of them all. Not that Grace doubted Lady Katherine would outshine her. Grace was not so gifted on the pianoforte.
If only she were permitted to showcase a pillow she’d embroidered, that would be a different story altogether.
Lady Brown looped a hand around Lady Katherine’s arm. “Wonderful.” She turned toward Grace and Lady Augusta. “And may we count on the both of you as well?”
Lady Augusta was still eying the room. “I have a song or two I feel confident enough to perform.”
The dowager’s gaze rested on Grace, clearly waiting for her agreement as well.
“Might I perform on the harp instead of the pianoforte?” She was not quite as clumsy on that instrument.
Lady Brown’s smile faltered. “I am sorry; we don’t have a harp here at Bridgecross.”
That was unfortunate.
Lady Brown hurried on, placing a hand on Grace’s arm. “But surely you know at least one song you might perform for us? I know we would all dearly love to hear you.”
Grace didn’t feel she could tell her hostess no, and there was one song she could perform adequately enough.
“If you wish it,” Grace said, trying to keep her tone optimistic. “But I’ll warn you it is very simple indeed.”
“Splendid,” Lady Brown said, turning back to the room as a whole.
Grace didn’t miss the slight uptick of Lady Katherine’s eyebrow. It was quite possible the other young woman had heard tales of Grace’s struggles on the pianoforte from earlier that year. Ah, well, if she had, there was nothing Grace could do about it now. Still, she wished Lady Frances was here. Having at least one friend in the audience would make such a difference.
“I do hope you ladies know how much I appreciate it,” Lady Brown continued, leading them further into the room and toward a door on the opposite side. “I know this isn’t a large house party, but it is still rather a strain always coming up with something to entertain everyone.”
Lady Katherine squeezed Lady Brown’s arm. “You can count on me to help in any way possible.”
“Thank you, dear.”
Grace fell into step behind Lady Brown, her gaze moving over the room as they walked. It was most elegant indeed. Far superior to even the finest room in the home where she had grown up. What must it have been like for Lord Brown to be raised among such luxury?
“I feel a little bad for Lady Brown,” Lady Augusta said, stepping up beside Grace. “I think she’s still a bit rattled to find herself hosting an uneven party.”
Grace tore her gaze away from the damask curtains. “What do you mean?”
“Only, now that Lord Weston has secured himself an invitation last minute, there are three young women andfoureligible men.”
Grace hadn’t really done the math. “Yes, but this is proving a small, intimate gathering. Do you truly think she’s so put out by one additional gentleman?”
“Only consider the parents. You have both your father and mother here, as do I. Between them, they are even. Then Lady Brown invited one other widow, Lady Parsons, and two widowers, Lord Clark and Mr. Ridlington.”
Thatwasremarkably even. “And the young people would have been even as well. You, myself, and Lady Katherine; then Lord Brown, Mr. Banfield, and Lord Andrews.” Such things were considered excessively important among theton. What a chit Grace had been for not realizing the discrepancy before now.
Lady Augusta nodded as they passed back out of the music room and into the corridor once more. “Exactly. Not only that, but now she’s hosting anearl. No wonder she’s a bit...”
“Rattled,” Grace added.
