Page 77 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“Ah, says the Duchess who traipsed about in the mud.”
Veronica rolled her eyes as they stopped at the cake counter. She ordered two cakes and then turned to him. “What will you have?”
He eyed the cakes in her hand. “Do you plan to sweep Westley of its honey supply?”
The vendor looked between them, bowing. “It is an honor to serve the Duke and Duchess of Westley. And an honor, further, that you are attending our fair today.”
“It is very enjoyable,” Veronica said, handing over more coin than necessary from the reticule she wore at her hips tied to her cloak. “I am very happy to be introduced to the village of Westley.”
“Have you met any of the musicians, Your Grace?” the vendor asked.
Veronica shook her head. “Not yet. Do you know where I shall find them?”
“They are in the tent behind the bandstand, Your Grace. I am sure they eagerly await your visit.” He paused. “And sponsorship.”
“Indeed.” The Duchess smiled brightly before walking out, her cakes in hand.
Henry paid for his own quickly before following her to the tent.
“I shall pay for your food,” he told her. “Whatever you require is mine to provide.”
“I am quite fine with my own coin,” she said.
“Well, it is only that the coin you have prepared is for the musician.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “I see.”
“It is no matter. I shall compensate what is missing.” He stepped back to allow her entry into the tent. “Now, shall we meet the revered musicians who await your attention eagerly?”
Veronica was quite taken aback by the sheer overwhelming nature of the fair.
It was not what she had expected though to admit what she expected had brought her some shame. She was not above her own humility to say she had been quite corrected.
As the sun began its descent across the sky, each musician came forward to play during the concert, from pianofortes to violins, flutes to even harps.
“What do you think?” Henry asked her, eager for her opinion, clearly.
“They all are dazzling,” Veronica said. “It is rather hard. It is quite interesting to see the quality in instruments as well andhow that changes the quality of performance. Yet it is clear every musician loves what they do. I like that about the music.”
“And you shall fit right in for your performance.”
Nerves fluttered in her stomach at the thought of playing for the crowd that had gathered before the bandstand. It had been some years since she had passed her fingers over the keys of a pianoforte, but the one that was set up for her now called to her. Her heart ached whenever she thought about Robert telling Henry about her love for music.
The fact that even before his disappearance, when Veronica had been sure he was ignoring her so often, too overwhelmed with responsibility and duty, he still spoke of her…
It made her ache for her brother more.
When it was her turn to perform before she announced her sponsorship, Veronica found her nerves settled. She pictured the days her brother would stand at the pianoforte and watch her, encourage her. She envisioned her father, proud and telling her she would fill her future home with the most delightful sounds.
She thought of her mama, who had stopped watching her play, unable to bear it due to her grief.
So, Veronica took a seat at the pianoforte provided to her and laid her fingers on the keys.
“Thank you all for allowing me to play for you,” she spoke to the crowd who watched her curiously. “It has been wonderful spending the day in Westley, learning about your village and businesses and land. Every musician has impressed me, but before I announce who I wish to sponsor, I would like to play a ballad for you.”
Veronica closed her eyes and let herself find that old rhythm she loved within the instrument.
Henry watched his wife up on the village stage, the coin placed in a tankard atop the pianoforte.
