“The first thing to remember is that you must always maintain good posture.”
Selina was sat in the music room with Barbara, her back straight but relaxed and her feet planted solidly on the floor as she ran her hand lightly over the keys, allowing the soft, sweet melody to wash over her.
She had always found the pianoforte to be soothing, so she had decided that that would be her first lesson with Barbara after the Duke agreed to allow her the position of a governess to his sister.
Her fingers curved naturally over the keys as though she had spent all month on the pianoforte.
In truth, Selina had often found herself too busy worrying about the Dowager Duchess or other times, trying to keep up with the energetic woman that she had not had time to sit at the pianoforte.
She smiled as her fingers naturally positioned themselves over the keys for the beginning of her favorite song. It was something her mother had loved so much and often played with a look of contentment and joy on her face that Selina could not help but love it just as much.
Selina sighed and retrieved her hands from the pianoforte. Now was not the time to dream or lose herself in memories. There were lessons to be taught and she absolutely refused to be found wanting should the Duke make an unexpected appearance.
“Like so?” Barbara asked her, pulling her from her thoughts and back to the lesson. Selina looked at her and nodded, her lips stretching into a smile.
“Exactly so.” Selina smiled at her in approval. “I understand you have become quite good at reading sheet music, Lady Barbara?”
“Yes. After one of my many governesses quit in the middle of a lesson, I decided to continue with what she had taught me.”
Selina was impressed by this young girl who clearly cared so much for her brother that she wanted so terribly to be good on his behalf. It was sad the hand that life and certain mistakes had dealt her but there was still time to remedy all of that and Selina was intent to do so.
She turned the sheet to an easy one and played the beginnings of the notes on the pianoforte.
“It is good that you do. It will make things easier. The next thing is to get you accustomed to the notes. Place your hands on the keys like so.”
“Good.” She praised, causing Barbara to beam, her face brightening to match the brightness of the room.
Just like the Duke, Selina had been surprised to find out that Lady Barbara had never such a fondness for her and wanted her to be her governess, however, although it had been thrust upon her, Selina had been quite happy to take on the role and now, seeing Barbara with a smile on her face was enough to show her she had made the right choice.
She pressed firmly on the keys and motioned for Barbara to do the same, studying her hand placements and only moved on when she was satisfied.
“That was very well done, Lady Barbara. I believe if you continue to practice this and play in your spare time, you will gain quite the mastery of this instrument.”
Selina turned to the Dowager Duchess who was sitting across the room by the window. She could see the glazed look in her eyes that she had come to recognize as Grace being distracted by her thoughts as she stared blankly out the window in her chair, rocking back and forth and paying no mind to the pair.
The sunlight streaked in from the window casting a warm glow on her face and softening her features. Selina could see the great beauty that the Dowager Duchess had been in her youth at that very moment.
She turned away from the distracted woman and focused again on her eager student.
“So, this is what we are trying to do.” Selina allowed her fingers free reign over the well-tuned instrument as she played the song she had begun to play earlier.
She played on, allowing the memory of her mother’s expression to settle over her. Her hand moved deftly as she began to hum the song, her eyes closed and lips spread into a smile.
Just as she neared the last note, she was startled into the present, away from the memories, by the sound of applause filling her ears.
Selina let out a small laugh, caught off guard by the fact that Grace who was still clapping, had been listening as she played. Just like Grace, Barbara was also applauding her.
The wind blew in from the open windows, cooling her cheek as she felt her face go hot from the applause she had just received from the two ladies.
“Thank you,” she responded quietly. Although she had found it charming that they enjoyed her playing and humming as much as they did, Barbara had not really been going for applause when she began and she felt a tiny bit embarrassed by it.
Selina had managed to lose herself completely as she played. On her first day here, she had imagined the wonderful acoustics of the room and how it would be to listen to it as she played and now that she had, she was blown away by it.
The acoustics was better than she had imagined it to be. It was wonderful. Everything from how the pianoforte sounded to the beauty of the room, the beautiful women that listened to her play and the appreciation she had seen in their expressions as they clapped had been perfect.
Selina could not imagine a more perfect room than the one she was currently sitting in. She looked at the young lady beside her, the look of awe still stamped on her face as she stared up at her.
“That was very beautiful, Miss Knight,” Barbara praised, her tone airy. “Perhaps when I have learned how to play, you would be interested in hearing me play a song like the one you sang?” Barbara asked her.
