Page 47 of Foolish Bride
He nodded and stepped to the low stone wall. “I know, and I won’t risk your reputation for long. I just wanted to know if my attention is a delight or a bother. Normally I can read a person, but I find myself stumped by you. Rather than cause either or both of us distress, I thought it best to just ask.”
“You are not a bother, your grace. You have been wonderful company on the occasions we have met.”
“Are you still in love with Kerburghe?”
Her heartbeat tripled and she gripped the stone to steady herself.
“Don’t answer. I can see that you are. However, Elinor, if you do not mind my company too terribly, I still enjoy your company very much. Who knows what the future will bring. Perhaps I can sway you in my favor.”
“Why must you be so kind?”
He smiled, took her hand, and kissed it.
The crowd in the ballroom hushed as the music stopped.
Elinor pulled her hand back and left Middleton in the library as she rejoined the party.
The Countess of Castlereagh announced that her talented daughter would treat them to a rare and excellent performance on the pianoforte.
From her mother’s side, Dorothea smiled dutifully, then turned into the music room, which was lined with chairs.
Everyone filed into the long hall with cream wall coverings and two fine chandeliers.
Dory sat at the pianoforte.
Middleton strode in and sat on the left side of the room.
Elinor needed space from all the men in her life. She sat in the corner, obscured by the harp.
When Dorothea Flammel put her fingers to the keys, there was a kind of magic. It was genius. She played Chopin first, and dulcet tones rang through the room, bounded, and reached a crescendo before Dory brought them back down to earth.
Each composition she played was better than the one before. The crowd applauded wildly between each. The last started softly. It was light and funny, but in the middle a sad story found its way into the music. By the time Dory let her hands rest on her lap, half of the crowd was in tears.
Everyone applauded vigorously. Even those who knew nothing of good music could understand that they had heard something extraordinary. Many stopped to congratulate her on her accomplishments. Some people congratulated her mother, which Elinor would never understand.
The guests returned to the ballroom, where the orchestra readied to play again.
Intent on sitting with Dory for a few minutes, Elinor stayed in her fine hiding place.
Thomas Wheel waited at the far wall until everyone had gone.
Dory sat at the instrument again, but she did not play. With her head bowed, she caressed the keys. A tear fell and she wiped it off the precious ivory.
“You are magnificent,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied, without looking up.
“Are you sad because they don’t understand?” Thomas placed a hand on her shoulder.
Elinor should have made her presence known, but she wasn’t ready to give up her solitude.
“I am sad because it was wasted.” Dory looked at him and brushed her tears away.
He knelt facing her. “Not so, Lady Flammel. I heard every note. I reveled in your glory and sorrow. Your music was not wasted on me. I am humbled by your gift.”
A wisp of a smile lit her face. “Thank you, Mr. Wheel. You are very kind. But if we were to be seen now with you kneeling before me, I am afraid you would have to marry me, since the gossips will insist you are proposing.”
He stared at her for a long minute.
