I must go, as Mother and I are going to Promenade Hour in the hopes of seeing the Viscount there. Mother, Father and I love you with our whole hearts. We will be eagerly awaiting your reply.
You Doting Sister, Now and Forever,
Aggie
Cecily was barely able to wait for Greta to finish reading the letter before she was clapping like a schoolgirl. When Greta read the last word, Cecily threw her arms around her maid.
“Oh, Greta,” she said, tears of joy filling her eyes. “This is exactly what I wanted for my sweet sister.”
Greta patted her back, squeezing her firmly.
“I know it is, your Grace,” she said, her own voice filled with emotion. “This is happy news, indeed.”
Cecily nodded, pulling back from the maid.
“I know that she never would have missed this opportunity, had I not received Val’s offer for marriage,” she said.And this here is the very reason I did not decline it,she added silently.
Greta took her hand and squeezed it softly.
“It was fortuitous, indeed,” she said. “Now, the both of you will soon be happily married. I know that your parents must be ecstatic.”
Cecily nodded, biting her lip. She wanted to be happily married, but she did not know if that would ever be. However, she refused to think of such things right then. She thought again of Agnes’ news, and her smile quickly returned.
“Oh, what I would give to be there to celebrate this wonderful news with my family,” she said. “I have so many things I want to say in my next letter to Agnes.”
Greta took her hand.
“Would you like to write to her now, your Grace?” she asked.
Cecily thought for a moment. She did, of course, want to write to Agnes right away. But she needed to think carefully before she did so. She could never lie to her sister about the way things were going for her. But she didn’t want to lie and tell her about how strained and awkward things were with Val. It would put a damper on her sister’s happiness, and Cecily would rather die than to do such a thing.
“Not just yet,” she said. “Perhaps, we can do it before or after dinner.”
She felt Greta nod.
“Very well, your Grace,” she said. “Would you like for me to read to you?”
Cecily smiled warmly but shook her head. She thoroughly enjoyed when Greta read to her. One thing she missed dearly was reading books. But listening to a story was not what she wanted to do right then. She felt inspired to do something else entirely.
“No, not right now,” she said. “I would like for you to take me to the music room.”
Greta gasped softly.
“Oh, your Grace,” she said. “You haven’t wished to play music in some time.”
Cecily grinned and nodded.
“I am moved to indulge in a little music, thanks to Agnes’ amazing news,” she said.
Greta linked her arm through Cecily’s and began slowly leading her out of the parlor and down the hallway toward the music room. Cecily breathed deeply as they walked. Even the air around them seemed lighter and sweeter to Cecily. Her own sadness was unimportant for the time being. Her sister was moving forward with her life, and she was happy. That was the only thing in the world that Cecily wanted.
Cecily knew when they had entered the music room. Sheet had its own smell; the sturdy, clean paper mixed with the ink used to write the notes. The pianoforte did, as well. It was a mix of polish, wood and the metal of the wires that struck the notes when the keys were pressed. The polish smelled quite fresh. Cecily wondered if Val had an interest in music, as well.
Greta helped her to the bench of the pianoforte, where she made herself comfortable. She only needed to think for a moment before she decided on the piece she wanted to play. Another moment later, she placed her fingers on the keys and began to play her very favorite classical piece, Surprise Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn.
It did not take her long to become fully immersed in her playing. She closed her eyes and let go of all the heavy, negative things she had felt over the previous fortnight. She allowed the happiness she felt for her sister and the pride of knowing that she had made the right decision to fill her. The entire room melted away. All that existed within her was the joy and the music.
Chapter Nineteen
