Not for the first time, he considered overcoming his reluctance and writing down the sonata. Perhaps he finally would when he reached his country estate a mere two miles away. He had another week to think about it.
For even if overnight, he decided he wished to transcribe every note in his head, he could do nothing about it. Alethia would tan his hide if he left, even for half a day. Once committed to a house party, one was truly committed — or be labeled an arse as the missing male guest would be. Why, the man would probably never receive another social invitation. And when it was a case of family acting as the hosts, the consequences for neglecting social obligations in favor of personal desires would be even worse.
Chapter Two
Brilliance waited in the drawing room for the pianist to enter. While chatting excitedly with Martine, who had already pointed out another guest her friend fancied with curly blond hair and very straight teeth, Brilliance couldn’t help keeping an eye on the door.
Eventually, minutes after everyone else had already come in and been introduced, the pianist strode through the open doorway. She could see he wasn’t shy, not a wall-prop by any means. Thus, he had stayed away simply because it had suited him. It was as plain as the patrician nose on his face.
After letting his glance flick around the room, landing momentarily upon Brilliance, he greeted their hostess, his cousin if he’d spoken true. Then he stood stony-faced while she made his introduction.
“Since my cousin was detained from joining us earlier,” Lady Twitchard said, covering for his standoffishness with a vague turn of phrase, “allow me to introduce you all to Lord Hewitt.”
He gave a bow as if that was the end of it.
Brilliance hardly thought that fair to the rest of them.
“How will he learn our names,” Brilliance asked, “if you don’t bring him around and introduce your cousin to each of us individually?”
A murmur from the guests — the female ones, at any rate — indicated she may have said something the others were thinking. Why no one else had said so, however, for the life of her, Brilliance couldn’t imagine. It was always better to speak one’s mind.
In any case, Lady Twitchard appeared to agree.
“Well considered, Lady Brilliance. And you are quite correct. We shall put off dinneranotherfifteen minutes while I make sure my cousin learns each and every one of your names.”
Lord Hewitt, as Brilliance now knew him, pierced her with a look that might have flattened a less formidable soul. It bothered her not one whit. In fact, she thought him amusing, like a tiger in a top hat. He’d hoped to set his own rules and flaunt society’s customs, but instead, he would be made to go through the somewhat nerve-racking ceremony of being introduced to unknown people with whom one would spend the next seven days.
What’s more, they were expected to recall each other’s names immediately. She was already confusing Lady Georgiana with Miss Newton and Mr. Denham with Lord Patterson. They were a higgledy-piggledy purée in her head.Who was who?
She returned his glare with an affable smile. He would surely enjoy the party more if he learned his fellow guests’ names or suffered through the attempt as she was doing.
While Lady Twitchard made the rounds once again with her cousin by her side, the rest of the guests chatted and drank sloe-gin punch. Brilliance and Martine resumed their discussion, thinking it remarkable that they didn’t know another soul there, although they had, at least, seen some of them at London assemblies. Soon, Lady Twitchard and Lord Hewitt approached.
“Lady Martine, may I present Lord Hewitt?” their hostess said. “Her father, Lord Flowers, is a coffee importer.”
The pianist took hold of Brilliance’s friend’s hand, then released it with a toneless, “Enchanted.”
When it was her turn, Brilliance was about to admit to Lady Twitchard that she’d already encountered Lord Hewitt, but he beat her to the revelation.
“I have met this one already,” he told his cousin.
This one?Brilliance had disturbed his serenity, apparently. Something she was good at doing. She felt Martine stir beside her.
“How so?” Lady Twitchard asked.
“Shebarged in while I was practicing.”
Brilliance studied her hostess’s visage. Instead of shock or annoyance, she saw only amusement.
“How clever of you to initiate contact with my prickly cousin!” Lady Twitchard told her.
“Clever?” he scoffed.
“I was drawn to his playing,” Brilliance confessed. “Although we didn’t get so far as to exchange names, as that seemed improper whilst alone.”
“Quite correct. Lady Brilliance, may I present Lord Vincent Hewitt?”
“Indeed, you may.” She held her hand out to him, not certain he would take it. After the briefest of pauses, he did, gently grasping hold and bowing over it in a polite fashion before dropping it like a hot coal.
