Page 25 of The Best of Friends
Only when he finished the recitation did he realize how much of himself had been poured into the verse, how much he had influenced its tone and reflections. Music felt that way to him: powerful, sometimes unforgiving, always revelatory.
The entire gathering praised the poem. Mr. Fortier looked impressed. But it was Daria’s gaze, tender and pleased and—he was quite certain—entirely aware of how personal that moment had proven to be, that touched him most.
What he had come to describe as hiccups transformed into hopeful flutters. There was little point denying what he had unexpectedly discovered that evening. He, whose brother had snatched away his ability to choose his own future, had lost a not insignificant bit of his heart to Daria Mullins, and he didn’t know what to do about it.
Chapter Ten
Laurence controlled far too manyaspects of Toss’s life for Toss to afford unmitigated familial warfare. Thus, the next evening, he went with his brother to the home of family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Brinley, for a small dinner gathering rather than spending the evening with his own friends. And away from Daria.
He would have enjoyed her company, but it was likely for the best that he was spending time away. He needed to sort out how he meant to move forward, knowing what he now did of his feelings for her.
At dinner, Laurence was seated beside Miss Midgley, whose family were of goodton, from the West of Yorkshire, and had provided their daughters, of whom this Miss Midgley was the second oldest, with generous dowries.
By the end of the first course, it was clear Laurence had more than a passing interest in his table partner. And by the end of the second, it was clear Miss Midgley had absolutely no interest in hers. Still, Laurence persisted: monopolizing her attention with ceaseless conversation, leaning close to her no matter that she did her utmost to lean away without imposing upon the gentleman on her other side. Toss would have been embarrassed for Laurence if he weren’t so horrified for Miss Midgley.
When the ladies departed the dining room, leaving the gentlemen to their port, Miss Midgley looked very much as if she would like to run rather than walk with decorum.
After only a quarter hour, the gentlemen followed the ladies’ path.
“You made a good choice tonight, Thomas,” Laurence said as they walked with the other gentlemen. “These are connections worth solidifying.”
“I’ve known Mr. Brinley since the two of you were at school,” Toss said. “It’s been good seeing him again.”
A nod of actual approval. A decidedly rare thing.
“Miss Midgley is a promising prospect,” Laurence said. “She’s being aloof, but ladies are expected to act a bit elusive when being courted.”
“I don’t think I would describe her response to you as ‘elusive.’” Toss leaned more towardpanicked.
“You have too little experience in Society,” Laurence said, annoyance dripping from his words. “Even if she is hesitant now, she will not always be. I am a highly eligible gentleman with an impressive estate and income. Now that your musical obsession has been dealt with and Rosamond is quite decidedly out of the nursery, no lady of sense would find any reason to object to being courted by me.”
“I hope you phrase your eventual proposal in just that way.”
Laurence seemed as though he couldn’t decide if Toss was offering the advice sarcastically, which he was. His brother might be willing to run roughshod over a lady’s feelings and preferences, but Toss was not.
Once everyone was seated in the music room, Mrs. Brinley addressed the audience. “We would be so delighted to fill this evening with music. We have all tuned and at your disposal a violin, a harp, and a pianoforte, as well as a wide selection of printed music. Please, delight us if you are willing.”
Toss could feel his brother’s eyes boring into him from behind, a warning not to take up the invitation. And for some time, Toss didn’t. He listened as others provided music, both instrumental and vocal. Some were quite adept, others had more enthusiasm than technical prowess. All in all, it was lovely.
You should consider playing at a musical evening... Someone with true talent would be deeply appreciated.Mr. Layton’s words returned to his mind, echoing louder with each new musician’s offering.
Toss wasn’t likely to claim his dream of composing music and pursuing that interest, but did it follow that he must forever abandon any and all indulgence in his love for music? Surely not.
You play wonderfully and beautifully... I have not forgotten a single note. I could not. It was, as I have insisted, masterful.Daria’s words proved even more persuasive.
A lull in the performances offered him an opportunity he chose not to ignore. He rose and crossed to the pianoforte. To Mrs. Brinley’s raised brow, he offered a dip of his head. With curiosity, she motioned for him to proceed.
He didn’t require any printed music. He had countless pieces memorized, many of which he’d written himself, but though he didn’t think of himself as cowardly, he hadn’t the nerve to debut an original composition. Not yet.
He chose an early piece by Beethoven, one he knew note-for-note without needing to search his memory. A deep breath before beginning helped him keep his focus, something he sometimes struggled with. But music helped. It always did.
And he played flawlessly, right until the moment he made the mistake of glancing in his brother’s direction. Laurence’s disapproval could hardly have been more apparent. Had this been a misstep?
The lapse of focus caused him to misplay two notes. Then two more.
Laurence’s disapproval turned to something far more like embarrassment.
Toss misplayed a few more notes before forcing himself to put all his attention on his playing. He completed the rest of the piece flawlessly, but the damage was done.
