Page 54 of The Best of Friends
“I have never seen one here.” Toss knew perfectly well that pineapples were quite sought-after additions to many fine households. The exotic fruit was rare and expensive; having one testified to a family’s wealth as little else could. Yet he couldn’t imagine the duke being so gauche as to participate in one of Society’s more vain displays. “Perhaps they had a pineapple and served it as an ice or a compote.”
“One does not eat the pineapple, Thomas. One displays it. You really do know so little of such things.”
A change of topic seemed more than called for. “How have your attempts at courtship been going?” Toss asked.
Laurence tipped his chin at a confident angle. “I am weighing my options.”
Toss knew his brother well enough to be able to easily translate that declaration—Laurence had no options.
The butler returned. “If you will follow me, Mr. Comstock, Mr. Thomas.”
They did so and were ushered into the drawing room, where they were introduced with no show of enthusiasm. The duke and duchess were present, as were their two children. Toss had met Lord Falstone and Lady Hestia during his many mornings in this house. They were delightful children.
Artemis was present as well, as was Daria. His beloved Daria. It took all his self-control not to immediately abandon his brother and rush to her side. But if he was not very careful, she would quickly realize that he’d fallen rather unexpectedly in love with her. He couldn’t countenance the idea of ruining their friendship by laying his heart bare.
“Your Grace. Your Grace.” Laurence’s bow was well made, if a bit overdone. He didn’t acknowledge the children.
“Mr. Comstock.” The duke was not rude but neither did he seem impressed. He turned to Toss. “We wondered if you would be here today. You’ve not been here for several days now.”
Toss dipped his head. “I fear my time has been claimed elsewhere.” In truth, he’d been a little nervous about crossing paths with Daria at Falstone House. That concern had proven well-founded; this was the first time he had returned, and she was there.
Lord Falstone approached him, as self-confident as his father even at only six years old. “Will you be playing the pianoforte today?”
Before Toss could answer, Laurence did. “He most certainly will not. He’ll not bore all of you with that raucous noise.”
The little future duke managed to look down his nose at Laurence. “Raucous noise? That is an insult, I believe.”
“Yes, Lord Falstone,” Toss answered. “My brother is declaring my music rather horrible.”
“Oh.” Lord Falstone looked at Laurence once more, disapproval writ on his little face. “You’re not very intelligent, are you?”
It was all Toss could do to keep himself from laughing out loud. There was no doubting Lord Falstone was his father’s child. The duke’s ability to deliver a setdown was legendary.
“Mr. Comstock,” the duchess said. Both Toss and his brother turned to look at her. “I meanourMr. Comstock, of course,” she specified.
Oh, that would wound Laurence’s pride, Toss would wager.
“I am entirely at your service, Your Grace.” Toss crossed to her. “What might I do for you?”
“Not for me, but for Lady Hestia. She has been asking these past days why no one is playing music for her.” The duchess motioned to the tiny girl, who, other than having her father’s blue eyes, was nearly the spitting image of her mother. “I suggest you make your amends.”
Toss turned to the little girl. Far from offended, she smiled shyly at him. “Would you like to hear some music?” he asked.
She nodded but didn’t speak. He’d been visiting this house nearly every day for well over a fortnight, and he’d seldom heard her speak.
“If you will accompany me, my lady, I will happily play for you whatever and for however long you wish.”
Her eyes darted to her father, though whether because she did not understand what Toss had said or because she was bashful he didn’t know. Whatever the unspoken plea, her father seemed to understand.
The duke lifted his three-year-old daughter into his arms. “To the music room. She has been disappointed often enough these past days.”
The duchess took her son’s hand, and she and her husband led their family from the drawing room. Artemis and Daria followed close behind, arms linked. Daria smiled at him as they passed. It was brief, and not a word was spoken between them, yet in that moment, his heart was even more hers.
“And what am I meant to do while you are fumbling over your music?” Laurence grumbled.
“Don’t ask me,” Toss answered as he walked to the door. “I don’t know anything about how these interactions are supposed to proceed, remember?” With a surge of satisfaction, he abandoned Laurence to sort things out on his own.
Toss had to remind himself upon reaching the music room that the pianoforte was not, in fact, his. He’d come to think of it that way of late, and he knew that would lead to a feeling of loss when he inevitably had to stop making these near-daily visits. It was a beautiful instrument, and its tone was rich and full. The room it occupied was equal parts sumptuous and peaceful. He didn’t know how the duchess had managed that balance, but he very much appreciated it.
