Page 61 of The Best of Friends
“Your musicale is destined to be an indisputable success, and your great-aunt will be required to learn to live without you.”
“And we will be having another house party,” Daria pointed out. “I will see everyone there.”
“A house party we won’t have to plan,” Artemis said confidently, “even though Toss will be getting a point for sending this note.” Artemis rose. She gave Daria a quick hug. “Do let me know if you need anything at all as the musicale approaches.”
Not ten minutes later, Daria was in her bedchamber, the door closed, sitting on the window seat with Toss’s note open in her hands, illuminated by the fall of light from outside.
Daria,
I would like to begin by crowing a bit over the point I will earn for sending you this letter. It was not my motivation in doing so, but I will claim the point just the same.
She smiled, as she so often, so easily did with him.
I had a thought about your musical evening that I hope may prove helpful. It is my understanding that Lady Cavratt will be present, and I happen to know she is a remarkably skilled pianist. I also know that no matter that she is bashful and quiet, she has no objections to playing in public. Ask her if she would be willing to open the evening with a piece on the pianoforte. I’m certain she will agree, and her talent will set both a delightful and impressive tone.
Laurence has further broken his promise to allow me freedom this Season. I’ve chosen not to argue with him on this matter because I am hopeful that the Royal Society of Musicians will soon be sending a reply to my application for membership, and the row that will ensue is likely to reach epic proportions. I am saving my endurance for that. Unfortunately, it means I’ve not seen you these past days. I miss you, Daria.
I suspect you are nervous and doubting yourself. But, my darling, all will be well. I am certain of it. Your parents will see your success, and all talk of sending you away will cease.
My darling.Darling. She would never grow tired of that.
My sister’s spirits have always been lifted by flowers. I wish I could send you some now, knowing the strain you are likely under. I am enclosing my admittedly inept attempt at drawing a bouquet in the hope that it will bring you a smile and help you face the difficult few days ahead.
Yours, etc.,
T
He had, indeed, drawn a very poorly executed bouquet of flowers, which, in her estimation, was the most beautiful floral offering anyone had ever received.
Chapter Twenty-four
Using her sewing scissors, Dariahad very carefully cut out the hand-drawn flowers at the bottom of Toss’s letter. With even greater care, she had folded it smaller and smaller until it fit in her locket. That way, she could have it with her and, even if it were found, she and Toss couldn’t possibly be scolded for the note he’d sent her. The rules of such things were strict but also terribly frustrating.
She wore the locket the next evening as she sat at home alone. Mother had insisted that it would be irresponsible of Daria to spend her time on “frivolous entertainments” on the eve of the musicale. Father had dismissed all Daria’s insistences that everything was well prepared and remaining at home would accomplish nothing. Her parents left for their own entertainments, none of which they labeled as frivolous.
Tobias had been gone all day and was not expected to return. His introduction to Charlie’s friends had proven both a boon to Tobias’s own social calendar and a relief to Daria. She wanted her brother to be happy, and having such wonderful friends would contribute to that.
Heaven willing, she would also enjoy those associations for years to come. The quiet emptiness of the house that night stood as an inescapable reminder that if her efforts the next evening did not prove successful, she would be sent to a house that was nearly always empty. And lonely.
The quiet just then was broken by light laughter, a rumbling low enough that she knew those laughing were men. Had anyone arrived other than Tobias, the butler would have preceded him and asked Daria if she were at-home.
Tobias stepped inside with Colm next to him, the two of them carrying in each arm a vase containing a glorious rainbow of blooms.
Somehow managing to bow with full arms, Colm said, “Miss Mullins, we bring you flowers from the Huntresses and are instructed to tell you they are meant to adorn the music room tomorrow evening.”
“We are further told,” Tobias said, “thatweare not to decide where they are placed but are to leave that decision to you because we are...” He looked at Colm. “How was it we were described by them?”
“Utterly lacking in good taste?” Colm supplied.
“I do believe that was it,” Tobias said.
Daria could easily imagine Artemis making a regal pronouncement like that, with laughter twinkling in her eyes.
“The Huntresses did this for me?” She hadn’t asked them to, neither had she told them of her difficulties in getting Mother to agree to the expense of fresh flowers.
“They did indeed.” Tobias made a show of struggling under the weight of his vases. “We have heroically carried these inside. Now, tell us where to place them.”
She made a quick survey of the room. All four vases were placed in various locations until she found the perfect spots. What a difference they made—the room felt inviting. It had always been a resplendent room, but gatherings of people who weren’t overly well known to each other were made more pleasantly memorable if held in a space that felt more like home.
