“I didn’t come here to harass you.” Stone exhaled. “But our mother is concerned. When you choose a woman over the music room… Well, I couldn’t leave that alone. That just simply isn’t like you. And now you admit to having fallen in love with her.”
Peter rolled his shoulders, strolled back to his chair, and sat down. Cradling Rosa between his thighs provided some relief for the coiled tension inside him.
Although not as much relief as before.
With one long tension-ridden exhale, he drew the bow across the thickest string, extending out a long note with an abundance of vibrato.
Stone suspected a change in him, and he wasn’t wrong.
Because…
Because he had, in fact, changed.
His brother settled onto the well-worn divan at the opposite end of the room. How often had they had conversations just like this, Peter practicing and Stone lounging comfortably, staring up at the ceiling? Their lives were changing. Not only his, but good lord, Stone had a wife now!
Peter stared across the room with an apologetic grimace.
He was coming to realize that music, playing the cello, was not the only thing he wanted from life. He was torn, and yet he wasn’t in that Sir Bickford-Crowden was already hinting he’d invite Peter to tour with him. What was that old saying?Be careful what you wish for?
His gut clenched.
The thought of spending a year traveling with a man who barked commands at will, placing practice and study above everything, both inanimate and living, held no appeal for him. His mentor was a man adulated most everywhere he went, and he expected similar devotion from all who dwelt in his realm.
And yet, Sir Bickford-Crowden was not a happy person. He rarely smiled and had not laughed even once in Peter’s presence.
Peter didn’t like the man and had no desire to spend the next few years in his proximity. Even more importantly, he didn’t want tobecomethat man—an angry, sad, and lonely musician.
Peter loved playing, he loved making music, but that didn’t necessitate that he turn his back on other joys life could bring him. It didn’t oblige him to abandon love.
His love for Miranda was real.
Miranda.
Miranda—his one true chance at happiness.
“I want to marry her.” Nothing else mattered. She’d told him she couldn’t provide her husband with a child, but he didn’t care that she was barren. He didn’t care about her past with Chase or with anyone else. “I want to take her to Essex and make our home together at Millcot Lodge. More than anything, I want to spend my life with her.”
Stone turned where he sat, rested his elbows on his knees, and then stared intently across the room at him. “What about your music?”
Peter smiled. “My music is inside of me, and it always will be. There will always be venues in England.” He laughed. If nothing else, his mother would make certain of that. And having spent some time away from London now, he didn’t mind that at all. “I’m not giving up my music for her. I want to bring her into my world. She is what’s been missing from it all along.”Not international venues—not prestigious accolades.
“Is she worth it?”
“I’m not losing anything by loving her, Stone. Is there anything in this world that could convince you to give up Tabetha?” Peter countered.
The question evoked a determined set of his brother’s jaw.
“Nothing.” Stone’s eyes all but blazed, striking a chord of recognition in Peter. But of course, it was the same look he’d seen while staring at his own reflection.
“I am happy for you.” Peter only hoped he could have the same.
His brother’s eyes softened. “I never thought…” His voice caught. “Damnit, Peter, If I can convince Tabetha Fitzwilliam to fall in love with me, anything is possible. I support your decision whole heartedly. But you are going to have to be patient.”
Peter winced. Because his brother’s thoughts confirmed his own—even though he wanted nothing more than to pack up and drive up to London that very day. “But—”
“As far as I know, she isn’t going anywhere,” Stone said. “But Nat says Lady Starling is particularly concerned about your career. She believes you must follow your life’s dream and that it is imperative that you make the most of this,” he burst off the settee and gestured around the room, “opportunity.”
His life’s dream? He’d thought it was. He’d been wrong. But his own words taunted him.
