“Well I may be mistaken, but aside from her family, I do not believe that Miss Edwards has ever played to an audience before.”
“I desire that of all things!” Sophie said, to his surprise. He had thought her shy. “What an adventure that would be! My sister, Marchioness of Deal, plans to have a musical evening. Perhaps you two and Frank could come to dinner one night, and I could play for you afterward. You will then be able to determine whether you might like to join me in my performance. We could form a trio or play separately; whatever you desire.”
Frank was amazed at the change in Sophie. Her countenance was brilliant. She talked with her hands, and her eyes sparkled with vivacity. It did not take much intelligence to realize what her music meant to her. Intriguing.
Joseph said, “We would be delighted. Would tomorrow be too soon? Frank?”
“I must confess I am more than anxious to hear Sophie perform.”
“Excellent,” said Sophie. “Tomorrow night will be excellent!”
His charming chatterbox, now full of laughter and good spirits, saw her sister, the Duchess of Ruisdell across the room.
“Oh, look, there’s Elise! I simply must speak with her, Lord Trowbridge.” Turning to Bella and Joseph, she said. “Tomorrow night then, at eight o’clock!”
As they crossed the floor to her sister, Frank said, “Does Fanny mind your dispensing dinner invitations without consulting her?”
“No, not at all. Fanny loves company. It is really the only way she gets to see people when she’s tied down with the baby.”
“Umm. Can she not get a wet nurse?”
Sophie gave a little laugh. “My sister is a frustrated actress. This is a new role for Fanny. She adores Alexa and knows this year will pass quickly. She has made the choice to bond with her baby. You know, she really does not thrive as a member of the ton. But she likes individual people who accept her on her own terms.”
“Yes,” Frank said. “Fanny is definitely an Original. I adore her. Buck is a lucky man.”
“That is what I think.”
As they came up behind the duchess, Sophie put her hand on her sister’s elbow. “Darling Elise, I had to come over to say hello.”
Her sister, a renowned beauty with hair as black as his own and her famous midnight blue eyes, turned and embraced Sophie. “Dear one, how lovely you look!” Turning to Frank, she said, “Lord Trowbridge! How pleasant to see you.”
“Duchess,” he said, bowing over her outstretched hand. “A pleasure. I am enjoying coming to know your lovely sister.”
“Frank is celebrated for his manners,” the duchess told her sister.
“I might have guessed,” Sophie said. “He is a seemingly bottomless source of flattery.”
“I have only spoken the truth,” Frank said. Turning to the duchess, he asked, “Has it never occurred to you that your sister resembles an angel?”
Elise pinched Sophie’s chin. “She has turned into a pretty thing.”
“How are Emma and Alistair? Do they miss their aunt?” Sophie asked.
“Alistair is forever wanting you to come and build a fort with him. Emma just screws up her little face and cries for you.”
“I promise, I shall make time for them this next week.” She seized the opportunity to tell the duchess about meeting the Carstairs and their plans.
Sophie’s sister looked at Frank with a faint, gloating smile. “Wait until you hear Sophie on the violin. Talk about an angel!” She grasped her sister’s hand. “Play Laudate Dominum for him.” The duchess turned to Frank again. “Mozart,” she said.
Frank raised an eyebrow. “Lovely. I will prepare to be enchanted.”
Now, how to entertain her further this evening? He was unaccountably anxious that she should like London. There were more musical people to see, and so he set about finding them. For Sophie’s sake.
{ 3 }
WHEN THE TIME CAME FOR SUPPER, Sophie found that she was somewhat wilted. However, Lord Trowbridge had been so accommodating with his introductions to people of a musical turn that she was enjoying herself hugely. And that was on top of the pleasure she felt at being in his company. He was certainly diverting.
“You must try the lobster patties. They are de rigueur at all ton parties,” the viscount said.
“I will. And after supper, I must insist that you take me home and return here on your own. I have monopolized your entire evening, and you have not seen your own friends or had a chance to dance.”
“Seeing you in full flight has been treat enough for me, Angel. You have no idea how refreshing an evening this has been. Dancing every night during the season can become a bore, you know.”
Smiling at his sobriquet, Sophie put one lobster patty on her plate along with a dab of chicken salad and a bit of fruit compote.
“Would you care for champagne, or would you prefer lemonade?” her escort asked.
“I think lemonade would suit best,” she replied.