Catherine raised her brows in question. “Then, where is she staying?”
“In Miss Elliot’s room. They’ve put a chaise in there for her.”
“Has Miss Elliot been left without means?” Lysander asked.
“Not according to Philip, though he didn’t elaborate beyond that.” Henry grimaced. “I’m not sure what Mama and Papa think of it all. I just hope Philip isn’t making a mistake.”
Lysander shook his head. “He’s no fool, Henry.”
“He’s besotted,” Henry replied, “which means he lacks prudence.”
Catherine frowned. “That’s rather cynical of you, dear brother.”
“No, actually, he’s quite correct.” Lysander gave Catherine a fond look. “A case of besottedness addles the brain, and I speak from experience.”
“Besottedness?” Catherine chuckled. “Is that even a word?”
“It is now.” He blessed her with a smile and brushed her fingers with his. The subtle caress had an intimacy to it that quickened Catherine’s heart and acted as a balm for her unsettled thoughts. Maybe she’d was reading too much into his perceived fascination with Miss Elliot. Maybe, like Henry, he merely wanted to know more about the mysterious young woman who was set to marry into the family.
“According to Philip, she plays like an angel,” Henry murmured, his attention on the activity taking place around the pianoforte.
“Well, we’re about to find out if that is true. Let’s sit, shall we?” Catherine settled onto a nearby settee. Lysander took his place beside her. Henry remained standing.
A hush fell over the room as Miss Elliot sat at the piano and arranged her skirts. Philip hovered over her, ready to turn the music as required.
She began.
Philip’s claim that the girl played like an angel had not been exaggerated. She was a virtuoso, each and every note perfectly rendered. Catherine recognized the piece immediately as Chopin’sNocturne Op. 9, one of Lysander’s favorites. She glanced at him. He appeared to be transfixed by the performance.
As the final notes faded away, there followed several moments of silence, and then, in unison, everyone rose to their feet and began to applaud.
“Brava,” Henry shouted, his call echoed by others. “Brava!”
Catherine regarded Lysander once more, who, like everyone else, was looking fixedly at Miss Elliot. And then he spoke a single word, inaudible against the din of continued applause. But Catherine read his lips with ease.
“Remarkable.”
Not an inaccurate observation, yet an unwelcome touch of jealousy soured Catherine’s stomach.
Miss Elliot played two more pieces with equal flair before begging an abeyance. She and Philip wandered the room for a while before finally coming to sit with Catherine, Lysander, and Henry.
“You play beautifully, Miss Elliot,” Catherine said. “Truly.”
“Thank you.” The woman smiled and glanced around. “But please call me Helena. I am to be part of your family, after all.”
Absolved of formalities, the conversation flowed a little easier. Catherine played her part as required, intent on hiding the silly suspicions and fears that fluttered in her stomach. Lysander appeared to watch and listen, but spoke little, and his gaze frequently fell upon Helena’s face. Yet no one else seemed to notice anything untoward, which made Catherine question her own perception.
“Philip tells me your family seat is in Nottinghamshire, Lord Hawes,” Helena said, drawing Catherine’s attention. It was the first time the woman had addressed Lysander directly.
“That is correct, Miss Elliot,” Lysander replied. “Malvern Hall is located about twelve miles south of Nottingham.”
“It’s a spectacular house,” Catherine said. “The entire estate is magnificent.”
“I’m sure.” Helena’s gaze flicked to Catherine and then back to Lysander. “And not too far from Rosemount, I imagine, which is located perhaps twenty or so miles further south, in Leicestershire.”
“Rosemount.” Lysander raised a brow. “Your father’s estate?”
“Yes.” Her smile faltered. “That is, it’s mine now. Until I marry, of course. The land is still being worked, but the house and some of the farm buildings are in need of reparation, apparently. I will be going there in the New Year to see exactly what is required.”
