Page 66 of The Best of Friends
Chapter Twenty-six
Daria stood at the backof the music room, keeping an eye on everything. The guests had arrived and been given ample opportunity for mingling and making certain they were seen by those they felt they ought to be seen by. The guest list was so remarkably impressive that the “be seen by the right people” needs were high.
She had watched the guests, looking for any unexpected needs or concerns, but she had also watched her parents. They had both looked unwittingly impressed, which felt like a good sign.
The mingling had given way to the point that the guests were now searching out seats. One of the footmen looked to Daria with a question in his expression, one she didn’t need help interpreting. The servants wanted to know if more chairs were needed. She gave a subtle shake of her head, and the footman disappeared once more to see to his other duties.
At the front of the room, Father and Mother took their places, facing the gathering.
“How delightful for us that you are all here.” Father looked over the crowd with pride. “Our music room has begged for just such a gathering as this for a long time now. We have worked tirelessly to have it ready to welcome you.”
Tirelesslywas the right descriptor; Daria was exhausted.
“We are honored to have Lady Cavratt open our evening.” Father bowed in the direction of the lady in question.
The crowd applauded as Lady Cavratt made her way to the pianoforte. She sat and, without needing any of the music Toss had provided, began to play. The guests were enthralled, mesmerized by the music, nodding their approval to one another. Lord Cavratt beamed as he watched his wife.
One of the maids slipped past the door with a lady’s wrap in hand. Daria stepped out of the room and waved her back over. Not wishing to have her words carry into the room and disrupt the performance, Daria quietly asked, “Is there a reason that is not in the cloak room?”
The maid dipped a quick curtsy. “The hook it was hanging on came off the wall, Miss.”
That was not something Daria had ever heard of happening. Had needed repairs in the home been neglected?
“I’m going to dust it off before returning it to the cloakroom and hanging it back up.”
“There was another hook for it?” Daria pressed.
The maid nodded.
“Very good,” Daria said. “Disaster averted, it would seem.” She offered a smile and received one in return.
The staff didn’t often smile. She wondered if it was because Mother and Father never smiled. She’d made an effort to be more pleasant, and it had helped.
She slipped back inside the music room and was able to enjoy the remainder of Lady Cavratt’s performance. The lady rose and made a quick curtsy amid the applause she received.
Toss moved to stand beside Daria. His gaze remained forward, as was proper, but he spoke to her in low tones. “I hope you know how well everything is going.”
“Though I fear I might curse my good fortune, I feel entirely pleased with the evening so far.”
“As you should,” he said. “Lady Cavratt’s opening the evening has elevated the entire occasion.”
Daria smiled at him. “Are you fishing for a compliment, Mr. Comstock?”
He didn’t laugh out loud, but she could see that he was tempted to do so. She liked how easily she made him laugh and how naturally he smiled when they were in company.
“I’m no expert on such things,” Daria said, “but I thought her performance was very good.”
He nodded. “Most musicians could only hope to achieve her level of skill. It isn’t merely that she knows how to play a piece; she plays it in a way that those listening can feel what the composer intended. That is a rare ability.”
“Someday, she will play something you have composed,” Daria said firmly but very quietly.
His smile slipped a little, and she knew why. The unfortunate news from the Royal Society of Musicians had dealt a blow to his confidence and his hope. She wanted him to know how remarkable he was but also knew from experience that having a family member who constantly undermined it made believing the best in himself ever more difficult.
Father was at the front of the room again, thanking Lady Cavratt and inviting others to display their talents as well. Lady Aldric rose and stepped to the front, carrying a violin. As she played, the gathered guests listened intently, seeming pleased with the performance. But through it all, Laurence continually looked back at his brother with a stern expression that could not be interpreted as anything other than a warning.
Daria whispered so as to not disrupt the performance, “Is your brother upset that you are speaking with me or warning you of something else?”
“He was quite specific that if I were to play this evening, he would not be best pleased. After the fiasco with the Brinleys’ dinner party, I believe he is particularly concerned about embarrassment. My brother is losing patience with me. My wisest course is to keep the peace.”
