LORD SHREWSBURY CALLED FOR SOPHIE at nine o’clock. He looked extraordinarily handsome in a light blue satin evening jacket, matching breeches, and a cream-colored waistcoat embroidered in the same light blue. The colors set off his fair looks.
Sophie had been a loss over what to wear, since none of her evening gowns had arrived as yet. Taking Fanny’s somewhat outrageous advice, she had decided at last to wear her black performance ensemble. It was a bit outré for a woman of her age to wear black unless she was either performing or in mourning, but Sophie was feeling brave tonight, in her element, going to a musicale.
Shrewsbury was a bit taken aback when she first appeared. Recovering himself, he said, “You do look uncommonly elegant, Miss Edwards. You will create a sensation at Lady Carmichael’s, I am certain.”
“I am awaiting my new wardrobe. These are my performance blacks. I am hoping they will not be too out of place at a musical evening.”
“You are likely to create a new trend,” he said gallantly.
As they traveled in the Shrewsbury carriage to the event, Sophie felt a little qualm. Even after so short a time, it seemed very strange for her to be spending an evening with someone other than Frank. She realized that in the last two days, she had become very comfortable with him. More than that: she had felt that he was hers and she was his.
However, Lord Shrewsbury was very attentive and kind. “Do you have plans for a musicale of your own any time soon?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Bella and Joseph Carstairs are joining me for a performance of the Archduke Trio by Herr van Beethoven. We are in rehearsals and hope to have it ready in a few weeks. We are only attempting the last movement at present. It is a challenging piece.”
“If you are in league with the Carstairs, you must be very accomplished indeed.”
Sophie replied with more confidence than usual, “I have studied hard with an excellent master.”
“Best of luck to you, then.” He glanced at their surroundings. “It seems we have arrived.”
Shrewsbury handed her down from the carriage with an elegant gesture and offered his arm. Again, she felt slightly odd entering the brilliantly lighted townhouse with the baron.
There was a short receiving line inside, consisting of the host and hostess. Lady Carmichael looked Sophie up and down as Lord Shrewsbury introduced her. “Lord and Lady Carmichael, I have the pleasure to present another musician who has only recently arrived in London. Miss Sophie Edwards, a violinist. She was most anxious to hear Signorina Giannini’s piano performance.”
Sophie attempted a curtsey, but was only partly successful. “Good evening, my lord, my lady. Thank you so much for allowing me to come.”
“Hmm. Edwards. Any relation to the Marchioness of Deal?” her hostess asked with an avaricious gleam in her eye.
“She is my sister. My other sister is undoubtedly known to you, as well. The Duchess of Ruisdell.”
“Oh yes, the dear duchess has already arrived. You will find her in the Music Salon.”
“How lovely,” Sophie said. She knew full well that some eyebrows were still raised over Fanny’s behavior the year before, and though she loved her sister dearly, she was very glad she had the decorous Elise as a counterweight.
“Shall we join my sister?” Sophie asked Lord Shrewsbury.
She caught a flash of disappointment in the man’s eyes, but he said, “Of course. That would be lovely. She is one of the lights of London society.”
Elise welcomed her in a golden salon, lit with three enormous chandeliers. Holding out her hands, she kissed Sophie on both cheeks. Then she turned to her escort. “Good evening, Lord Shrewsbury. How kind of you to bring Sophie. I am certain she will enjoy the performance.” Turning to her sister, she said, “She is to play my song! ‘Für Elise!’ Did you know that Peter once told his insufferable brother that Beethoven had written it for me?”
They laughed.
“What else is she to play?” Sophie asked.
“The ‘Moonlight Sonata.’ It is very simple, but altogether magical. And then she is doing some Mozart, of course,” Elise said.
They looked about to find seats together. The Duke came in from the other room, greeting Sophie with a kiss on her knuckles and Shrewsbury with a hearty handshake.
“Lord Shrewsbury is to start a Girls’ School for orphans in the East End,” Sophie told Elise. “Aunt Clarice has undertaken the organization, and I am to be a teacher.”
“Wonderful idea,” thundered Ruisdell. “Just what we’re missing. I offer myself as a patron, Shrewsbury. You can be certain that Aunt Clarice will give it her all.”