She twisted around to look up at him, and he smiled weakly down at her. Lord Lanwood wore an emerald-coloured suit, velvet, like her dress, and it suited him. His scars – who thought they were ugly? – ran down the side of his face, a raised pink colour. Frankly, Felicity thought they made him look dashing.
Not that she’d say such a thing, naturally. People might draw conclusions.
A clapping caught their attention, and the guests immediately stopped talking and settled into their seats, facing eagerly forward. Mrs. Langley stood on the little platform, in front of the pianoforte. She was beaming.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I do so hope you’ll enjoy this musical evening. There are drinks, naturally, and there will be refreshments afterwards. To start our evening, Miss Felicity Thornhill will delight us with our first piece of the evening.”
Nerves flared in Felicity’s stomach. She drew in a breath, glancing up at Lord Lanwood. “Wish me luck,” she murmured.
He grinned wryly. “I heard you practising. I don’t believe you need luck.”
She went pink at that and hurried on up to the platform.
The song Felicity had chosen was a simple, popular air, easy to perform, well-liked by everyone, and a nice, light choice to start off the evening. She concluded her piece to happy applause and left the platform feeling relieved and happy about her own performance. She met her parents’ eyes as he moved towards the back of the room and was graced with an approving smile and nod.
Phew. So far, so good.
Lord Lanwood was standing where he had been before, at the back of the room, and Felicity moved to stand beside him.
“Well done,” he said, voice low. “You’re very talented.”
“I wish. I only learned pianoforte because my Mama made me.”
He gave a muffled snort of laughter.
That was a mistake. Miss Sinclair whipped around, spotting Lord Lanwood for what seemed like the first time. She frowned, full lips pressing together in a thin line. In a flash, she was on her feet. For one awful moment, Felicity was entirely sure that the woman was going to come pounding down the aisle and fling herself at her, nails ready to scratch and fingers ready to twist and pull her hair.
Instead, Miss Sinclair simpered all around, and went striding up to the platform.
Mrs. Langley, who was already preparing to announce the next performer, blinked at Miss Sinclair. “What…?” she began, but Miss Sinclair was already taking her position at the pianoforte, her intentions manifestly clear. Poor Mrs. Langley smiled bashfully at the audience, and took her seat again.
After all, there wasn’t much else to do, besides bodily dragging Miss Sinclair off the piano stool.
Not a bad idea,Felicity thought wryly.
Smiling coyly around, Miss Sinclair laid graceful fingers on the keys and began to play.
Felicity didn’t recognize the piece Miss Sinclair played, but it was fast, intricate, beautiful, and, of course, expertly played. The woman’s fingers danced over the keys like lightning. At the climax of the piece, she began to sing, revealing a voice that could quite nicely be described as angelic.
The audience was rapt, listening on the edges of their seats, eyes wide. Felicity’s own effort immediately seemed silly, trite, and eminently childish. Rather like a small child proudly presenting a finger-painting and insisting that it should be displayed next to some famous artist’s watercolour.
The piece ended with a great flourish, and the audience broke into rapturous applause, some people even rising to their feet. Felicity clapped too, so as not to seem bitter.
She did it deliberately,she thought, shaken. Miss Sinclair simpered and smiled modestly at the pianoforte, acting almost bashful. She rose and slipped back down to her seat, smiling around demurely, shaking her head at the murmured words of praise. Her gaze shot down the length of the room, finding Lord Lanwood at once.
Felicity glanced nervously up at him. Lord Lanwood was looking at her, face inscrutable. Hemustbe moved by her playing. Who wouldn’t be transfixed by that? No doubt he regretted calling Felicity’s poor playing atalentnow that he’d heardMiss Sinclair.
Miss Sinclair must have liked whatever she saw in Lord Lanwood’s face, because she gave a brief, triumphant smile. Her gaze flickered to Felicity, and Felicity had to look away first.
I won,the look seemed to say.See how he’s staring at me? See how everybody admires me? I have true beauty, talent, and grace. You can’t measure up, you silly girl.
Mrs. Thornhill was watching Miss Sinclair too, with an expression of annoyance.
Do you still think a little rivalry is a good thing, Mama?Felicity wanted to shout. One thing, however, was very clear.
Miranda Sinclair harboured ill feelings for Felicity.
Chapter Eleven
