“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Alexandra said, winking. “I plan to take the liberties myself. I’ll see you all later. Will you be here for a while?”
“I’ll only be here for a bit,” Rose said. “I’m playing the grand piano in the conservatory for Lord Evan at eleven, and Lily is my chaperone. In fact, Lily, we should go. I’d like to warm up a bit. I haven’t actually played the grand yet, and I need to get the feel of it. Would you two care to come along?” She nodded to Sophie and Emma.
“Thank you just the same,” Sophie said. “I think I’ll stay out here. It’s such a nice evening.”
“I’ll stay and chat with Sophie,” Emma said. “But do have a lovely time.”
“We will, dear,” Lily said, linking arms with Rose and Alexandra. “Tomorrow evening there will be another formal ball. Won’t that be fun?”
&nbs
p; “Oh yes,” Alexandra said. “I had a wonderful time at the first one. Except for Wentworth and his errant tongue, that is.”
“Alexandra…” Sophie began.
“Sophie, darling, if you had been in my shoes, you would say the same thing. Do enjoy your evening, ladies.” She broke away from Lily and hurried off.
Lily and Rose said goodbye and entered the house, making their way past the library to the conservatory. The chandelier had already been lit, and cast a luminous glow on the black lacquer grand piano in the center of the room. One wall of the large room was devoted entirely to bookshelves which housed written music of all kinds. In a corner stood a gilt-edged harp, and in another corner, several guitars and mandolins. The walls were filled with more paintings, and Lily slowly walked through the room, looking at each one with interest. She made a mental note to have Daniel explain them to her later and took a seat on a lush sofa covered in forest green satiny fabric.
“Start with the Mozart sonata, dear. It’s my favorite,” she said.
Rose sat down on the cushioned piano bench and sighed, lovingly running her fingers over the sleek ivory keys. “This is the most glorious instrument I have ever seen.”
“It looks a lot like the one at our estate,” Lily said.
Rose rolled her eyes. “Lily, this is at least two feet longer than ours, and the finish is far better quality. As for the sound, let’s see.” She played a few measures. “Can’t you hear the difference?”
“Not really,” Lily said.
“You are a goose. The tone is far superior.” Rose began playing the Mozart. “It’s almost as if the piano crescendos on its own. It knows exactly what to do.”
“That’s you, not the piano.”
Rose blushed. “You put too much stock in my talent, Lily. I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
“You play beautifully and you know it. When Daniel and Lord Evan get here, you should start with the Mozart. Then play your Bach. Then Handel’s Water Music; that’s lovely. And don’t forget that cute little sonata by Scarlatti. I suppose you should play an English composer as well. How about Purcell? The music from the Fairy Queen is sweet.”
“Goodness, Lily, this is just an informal little gathering. I’m not playing a full concert.”
Lily ignored her. “Do you need me to go upstairs to the chamber and fetch your sheet music?”
“No, I can do it from memory. If only the Beethoven were ready.”
“Try it now. I’ll tell you if it’s ready or not.”
“I suppose I could, since the gentlemen aren’t here yet.” Rose began to play, her fingers dancing over the keys as the music soared from the piano.
“That’s the Beethoven that isn’t ready yet,” Lily said to Daniel and Evan, who had entered while Rose was playing. “I thought it was tantalizing, Rose.”
“Don’t be absurd, Lily,” Rose said, flushing. “I didn’t even get through half of the concerto.”
“You play beautifully,” Evan said. “Which concerto is it?”
“Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in E Flat Minor,” Rose said. “He completed it in 1811. I’ve only been working on it a short time. I didn’t mean for anyone but Lily to hear it.”
“Nonsense, it was lovely,” Evan said.
“Play the Mozart now, Rose.” Lily turned to Daniel and Evan. “Mozart is my very favorite composer, ever since Papa took Rose and me to the opera to see The Marriage of Figaro. How old were we, Rose, about ten and eleven?”