She would not have been capable of saying no in that moment. So she said yes.
He settled next to her on the bench, and she could feel the warmth of his leg beside hers.
It took three steadying breaths before she could raise her hands to touch the keys. “The keys are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet, repeated. Each repetition is an octave. Most songs utilize two, three, or even four octaves.” She pointed at a key. “This is A, then B, C, and so on up to G.”
She played a quick scale with her right hand. He attempted the same an octave higher, then winced.
“That did not sound at all like yours,” he laughed.
Her lips twitched. “No, it didn’t. You hit two sharps in your playing and started on B, not C.”
“C? I thought A was first?”
“I told you I was not a very good teacher,” she said on a groan.
“No, no, you are fine. But why C instead of A?” He crossed over her to hit the correct key, his arm brushing hers in the process.
She regretted the loss of contact when he pulled back. But then his hand settled beside hers on the bench, their smallest fingers touching. “Middle C is the nearest key to the center of the instrument. It is the simplest scale, as it has no flats or sharps in it, and thus is a better place to start.” Her voice was breathy and soft, meaning it did not sound like her at all.
“Why did they name the center key C rather than A? That seems far simpler.” Edward stared incredulously at the keys as his small finger shifted to cover her own. Was that intentional?
Amelia struggled to focus on his question. “I do not know, actually.”
“Never mind then.” He nodded at the keys. “Perhaps the inventor simply wished to be confusing. What about the music? How do you read it?” There, his hand moved again. Now his ring finger rested on her small one.
“Ah.” Amelia lifted her eyes from their hands and gestured at a few sheets of music in front of them. She forced her eyes to remain on the sheet music but purposely used her left hand when gesturing so as to not disentwine her right hand from his. “This here is the grand staff. It shows all the notes you must play within the song. The location of a note on the staff corresponds with a location on the pianoforte. The way a note is drawn tells you the length of time for which it is played.” She glanced over to find Edward staring at her with an entirely blank expression. He blinked, then shook his head.
“I give up. This is far too complicated.”
Amelia laughed. “It is not really, not once you have the basics.”
“These basics are not at all basic. I think I shall stick to listening to you. It is far more enjoyable.”
“You are welcome in the room while listening, you know. You do not need to lurk in the hall,” she teased.
“The maids gave me up, did they?”
“I may have asked a few after the musicale.”
He shook his head. “They’ve already given up their allegiance. I must not inspire much confidence.” Then he paused, appearing thoughtful. “You know, I never came in this room before we married. It is hard to be in here even now.”
Without thinking, Amelia turned her hand over to capture his in hers, and he gave her a small smile. “I did not realize it brought you pain,” she said.
“Not as much. You have helped. But nothing can help me with such musical pursuits.” He gestured at the pianoforte with his free hand.
“Did you never have a music tutor, then?”
“No. My father did not feel it was a particularly worthwhile pursuit.” His hand clenched around hers, seemingly unconsciously. “I think that may have been a slight toward my mother, due to her love of music.” His expression flashed with hurt and frustration.
She squeezed his hand, infusing the gesture with all the pain she felt for him. “I am sorry they were always so at odds.”
“As am I.” He shook his shoulders back, still holding her hand. “But I did not come to recollect on sad memories or to learn how ridiculously complicated this instrument is—enjoyable as it has been.” He grinned. “I came to bid you farewell. You truly do not object to my going?”
Amelia’s spirits fell somewhat. For a brief moment, she’d forgotten he was about to leave. But she rallied. “Yes, truly. You are needed by your valet and I by my sister.”
“Indeed.” He nodded, but his eyes searched hers. Then his gaze dropped to her lips.
It became hard to breathe.
