When the twins came in, arm in arm, they moved to their favored instruments, the piano and the harp that were the focus of the room. There were a dozen chairs in the room, too, for musical entertainment after the dinner parties Kathleen often arranged for her neighbors and friends in town. The girls hadn’t usually been invited to the table, young as they’d been, but their mother had often shown them off to her guests by asking them to play afterward.
Vanessa had favored the piano and hadn’t realized that Layla did, too, because it was against Layla’s nature to fight for a choice. She apparently got that choice after Vanessa had deserted them. Emily checked the strings of her harp, plucking a few of them. Monty moved to the empty space on the left side of the room and held out a hand to Vanessa for her to join him there.
She started to, but as soon as the twins started playing, she paused, tears came to her eyes, and she smiled widely at her sisters. They were playing her song!
Monty noticed her reaction and approached to lead her to the space that served as a small dance floor. “A favorite song?” he guessed.
She smiled. “I suppose it is, but this one I actually composed.”
“An accomplishment I wouldn’t have expected!”
“You don’t have to look so bloody surprised,” she admonished playfully. “But I didn’t expect it, either. Composing music wasn’t exactly part of our curriculum here. Our music teacher merely asked if any of us were interested in learning about composition. The twins didn’t want to, but I thought it might be fun and gave it a try. Keep in mind, I was barely twelve at the time.”
“Which makes it even more impressive.”
She grinned. “There are many things about me that you don’t know.”
“What an intriguing remark. Your melody is lovely. Shall we put it to good use?”
But the music suddenly stopped, and she couldn’t help laughing. “I’m afraid that’s as far as I got. I never did finish the composition.”
“Which doesn’t mean you can’t.”
“Some day,” she agreed.
He had moved her into position, placing her hands where they needed to be, one on his shoulder, one lightly touching his extended hand, then placed his other hand on her waist, which sent a tingle of excitement through her. “My sisters didn’t learn the waltz for their come-outs,” he said, “though I’m sure they have by now. The cotillion was still popular when they came of age, a much more lively country dance embraced by theton. But the waltz is now quite fashionable, even if it still has detractors among the old guard. Close contact and all that rot, not that we’re going to do that, mind you—more’s the pity! However, George likes the waltz, and what George likes . . .”
She managed not to laugh over his “more’s the pity,” and asked, “Do many people call the Prince Regent by his first name?”
“You’re assuming I’m referring to the Prince?”
“Don’t pretend you aren’t.”
The twins started another song, and he said, “Follow me,” and she concentrated on not stepping on one of his feet for a moment until she heard, “You’ve coiffed your hair and you’re wearing proper shoes, I suppose I must ask for kisses first now that you’ve so perfectly donned the lady?” and she stepped on his foot.
She didn’t apologize for the misstep, she instead gave him a coy look. “You’re reneging on our bet not to mention kissing, but would you really want to risk a no?”
“Does that mean . . . ?”
She grinned. “You’ll just have to find out.”
“Tease! You’re just looking for a reason to punch me again.”
“Now that might be true—especially if you aren’t taking this lesson seriously.”
“I’ll concede—for now.”
She got the hang of it pretty quickly when he made it so easy to follow his lead, but she pretended not to and stepped on his feet a few more times. She simply didn’t want the dance lesson to end. And she definitely got his point about the close contact being frowned upon by the old guard, not that their bodies touched, but being even a foot apart from Monty when he was holding her hand and had his other hand on her waist was quite titillating. How the devil could one man excite her so much when he wasn’t even trying?
And then Charley insisted on taking a twirl with Layla, while Kathleen took over for her at the piano. Emily got a turn and was giggling at Charley’s blandishments. The mood in the room had turned quite festive. Even Kathleen seemed to be having fun. Vanessa was happy dancing with Monty and seeing her sisters and mother so gay, but she still felt a bittersweet pang. The evening would have been perfect if her father were there.
Chapter Twenty-six
MONTGOMERY TRIED TO KEEPhis thoughts from wandering hither and yon as he finished shaving, otherwise he’d end up slicing his throat. He was already dressed, had intended to go downstairs for breakfast with the Blackburn family, but then he’d thought about the end of next week, when the ladies would no longer be in residence, and he was struck with annoyance and something that might be melancholy.
Bloody hell. Charley’s distress was contagious. And yet he did wonder what the devil he was going to do with himself when the lovely distractions marched out the door and he was left wondering what could possibly have induced Vanessa to agree to marry a man she hadn’t met? The amazing wench who’d trotted across England in britches wouldn’t have done that. She’d bloody well stand up for what she wanted. Not having an answer to that was going to drive him crazy. And would he even know if she ended up turning Rathban down in the end? Not stuck in the country he wouldn’t.
He supposed he could stay foxed for the duration. He had initially thought that this particular favor for George was going to be a boring task and he’d been prepared to suffer through it—until Vanessa had arrived to liven it up considerably. But she’d very quickly become his focus andtoomuch of a distraction. He couldn’t seem to help himself, even after finding out that she was a lady.
