Page 42 of The Best of Friends
Mother gave it a moment’s thought. “If you think you are equal to the task of organizing it, then a musical evening could be a good choice.”
Proving she was equal to the task was the point of the evening. Daria would make certain she was successful.
“How soon would you like the musical evening to be held?” she asked.
“Within a fortnight,” Mother said. “That will allow you to plan around significant Society events that are already scheduled and announced.”
Daria nodded. “Perhaps in years to come, the events at this house will be considered a ‘significant Society event.’ That would be a grand thing.”
“It would,” Mother conceded. “And help planning such important gatheringswouldbe nice.”
Daria had spoken of years’ worth of events, and Mother had acknowledged wanting her help planning them.Years’ worth. Daria couldn’t do that from Anglesey. Here was hope.
“I would like that, Mother.”
“We will have to see how this musicale goes before deciding anything.”
“I understand.” Daria swiftly left the room before her parents had time to second-guess themselves. Tobias followed close on her heels.
Once safely out of earshot of the sitting room and away from the disquiet she always felt when with her parents, she breathed at last. “Thank you for that,” she said to Tobias. “They didn’t take my suggestion seriously until you echoed it.”
“Have I told you often enough how unfair that is?”
She smiled at her brother. “You have. Please don’t think that because I choose not to confront them about the things they say and do that I don’t realize they are often unfair and unkind. On the few occasions when I have, it has made things worse. I’ve chosen peace over fair treatment, which I realize is not ideal. It might even be the wrong choice.” She shrugged and shook her head. “It’s probably theweakchoice. I’m certain plenty of people would insist that were I truly strong, I would vociferously object every time they treat me that way.”
“They would have sent you to Great-Aunt Theodosia’s years ago if that had been your tactic,” Tobias said.
“Avoiding that fate now is what this musical evening is all about.” She threaded her arm through his and walked with him. “I need to ponder whether to make this a professional performance or a participatory one. But I think either will make for a nice evening.”
“It will be grand,” Tobias said. “I’m certain of it. I’m happy to help in whatever way I can.”
“If I do decide to have a professional performer, I would likely need you to undertake those arrangements, as such a thing would, I suspect, be inappropriate for an unmarried lady.”
He nodded his agreement with that assessment. “In exchange for doing that favor, I would ask you one in return.” There was enough mischief in the request that she knew he wouldn’t refuse to help her, regardless of whether or not she agreed to whatever he meant to ask.
“What is this favor?”
With a smile, he said, “Allow me to see the guest list once you’ve made it?”
“Are you afraid I might include someone you don’t want to be there?” she said with a laugh.
“Quite the opposite, in fact.”
She eyed him with curiosity. “This is someone you like very much?” She let her tone and her expression turn teasing. “Is it possible that my brother has had his head turned by a lovely young lady?”
“Oh, it’s possible. Before you go on, I am not going to tell you who I will be searching your guest list for no matter how much you press.” He slipped his hand from hers. “But I do hope you accidentally invite her.” He made his way down the corridor, walking with a jaunty step.
She was planning a musical evening that, if successful, would allow her to avoid the doom of Great-Aunt Theodosia’s house. Her parents had expressed the tiniest bit of faith in her. And, it seemed, Tobias was a little bit in love with someone.
Daria knew she had a history of getting her hopes up only to have them dashed, but in that moment, she let herself fully, completely, and unabashedly believe there were good things yet to come.
Chapter Sixteen
Toss had only just finishedworking on his composition when Daria bounced into the music room. As had been the case upon her arrival in this very room the day before, his heart thundered like a kettledrum. Warmth radiated through him. And the tune she’d inspired, the one he’d continued expanding on, echoed ever louder in his thoughts, thoughts that had returned to her again and again for days.
“Toss.” She smiled at him, speeding up his thunderous pulse. “What brings you here?”
“I am working on my composition still,” he said, proud of his composure. “The duke and duchess have kindly continued allowing me use of their pianoforte.”
