“Oh, no. He will be up and down the entire time, sketching from various angles,” Ann said. “I have a stack of sketches he’s done of me from all angles that I adore. I hope one time he will turn one or more into a painting. He’s been talking about it.”
Bella leaned closer to her. “Do you think he would do one of Gwinnie playing her violin? Lady Malmsby would love to have a sketch like that.”
Ann nodded. “I’ll go suggest it to him. I shall be right back,” she whispered in return. She slipped out of her chair and made her way through the crowd of those entering the music room.
“Where did Ann go?” Lady Malmsby asked.
“To talk to her fiancé before the concert.”
Lady Malmsby nodded. The musicians were coming toward the stage, finalizing their chair arrangement, flipping through sheet music.
Bella felt surprised and pleased to find the audience start to quiet at their appearance. She whispered as much to Lady Malmsby.
“Gwinnie and her performances are popular,” Lady Malmsby whispered back.
Bella noted the manner Gwinnie displayed to the gentleman with a limp. An ensemble player took care of the gentleman's guitar case. She carried his flute case and arranged his music once at his seat. Though Bella could not hear Gwinnie’s words, she appeared to speak to him solicitously.
Lady Malmsby had a sharp intake of breath. “Someone has finally captured Gwinnie’s attention. But is he the right someone?” Lady Malmsby whispered softly into Bella’s ear.
Bella shrugged. She was a stranger to the London society scene.
“I shall ask Nowlton to contact Mr. Martin,” Lady Malmsby whispered.
Bella looked at her quizzically.
“Bow Street,” she mouthed.
Bella’s eyebrows rose.
Lady Malmsby shook her head. “Later,” she murmured.
* * *
“This has been a wonderful concert,”Bella told Gwinnie during the intermission.
“I am glad you are enjoying it. I love giving concerts!” Gwinnie said, radiating excitement and joy. “What did you think of our flutist? Isn’t he fabulous? He sounds professional to me; however, he swears he is merely an amateur. He plays the guitar as well, but I love his flute work so much I requested that be the instrument he primarily plays this evening, except for a couple of folk pieces we will do after intermission.”
“He is talented,” Bella agreed.
“I’ve told him he can play the flute sitting, as standing does tire him; however, he insists on standing. He says the flute sound can’t sing if he is sitting.”
“You are lucky to have met him.”
“How did you meet him?” Lady Malmsby asked.
Gwinnie laughed. “At a music publisher, naturally. That is where I have met most of my musician friends.”
“Who is he?” Lady Malmsby asked.
“Don Joaquín Pedroso y Castel,” Gwinnie said.
“How has he come to be in England?”
“Business. He will be here through the summer, he says. I wish we could keep him here longer. He is a wonderful addition to our little ensemble.” She tilted her head to the side. “It would be better,” she conceded, “if we had our pianoforte player at well. Unfortunately, he slipped and fell backward in some excrement the street cleaning boy missed, and injured his elbow, of all things.”
“Gracious!” Bella said. “How unfortunate. Nonetheless, I think your group sounds perfect, even without the pianoforte,” Bella said.
Gwinnie smiled happily. “Thank you!” she said. “Come, I’d like you to meet Don Pedroso y Castel. You will like him. He is such a personable fellow, and has such exquisite manners!” she proclaimed.
