“Surely, you and he are to say,” Brilliance suggested.
Mr. Castern shook his head. “It’s not that simple. We work differently. He keeps music in his head for far longer, whereas I write mine as I am composing. Ultimately, there is no way foryouto know whether the notes on the sheets of paper were mine or his. But I tell you, they are mine.”
“Are you saying Lord Hewitt transcribedyourmusic, and thus, in fact, he plagiarized from you?”
“I ask you only to consider the possibility. Simply because I went forward with a career as a concert pianist and he did not, that is no reason to condemn me.”
He calmly sipped his tea.
“I saw the handwritten work in his home recently,” Brilliance told him, “and I gave it to a music publisher in London. And then suddenly, you were playing at your concert. There can be no doubt that you —”
“My lady, I wrote that piece years ago. When I recently discovered it in the music shop, I could only imagine that Hewitt had published it without the courtesy of using my name but also without the duplicity to use his own. And thus, overjoyed to find my own music, a piece I had forgotten about, I began to play it.”
She stared at him, considering what he said. Mr. Castern leaned toward her from his end of the sofa.
“Do you not see how it makes sense? Why would I risk my thriving career?”
Brilliance shook her head. “Why would you?”
“Please, my lady, I have a wife to support, and I do so only by my concerts. If you continue this public attack, we shall lose everything. Neither she nor I have the security of coming from a wealthy family as you and Hewitt. My music is all I have, and you are trying to help Hewitt take it from me.”
“I am trying to help Lord Hewitt regainhismusic.”
Mr. Castern set his saucer down and rose to his feet. “It is mine I tell you,” he declared, waving his arms around. Although he didn’t come any closer, Brilliance shrank back, gripping her teacup.
“Why are you helping him?” he asked. “Are you in love with him?”
“I think you had better leave.” She could not credit her own ears — a stranger was asking her such an impertinent question!
“You were in his home, you say, when you discovered the music. A nice young lady isn’t usually in a gentleman’s home. Perhaps you are actually paramours. Perhaps you have made up this entire story in order to help Vincent gain his revenge regarding Lydia.”
“I asked you to leave,” Brilliance repeated, raising her voice as she rose to her feet. She had no idea about Lydia, nor revenge, but it sounded like the ravings of a madman.
Mr. Dunley appeared and closely on his heels was Lord Hewitt.
“I heard the lady say she wanted you to leave,” Vincent ground out. “You will do as she says, and swiftly, before I throw you out into the Piccadilly traffic.”
“Look at you, Hewitt, behaving as if you own the place, as if you are her protector. It is quite obvious to everyone in London you are her lover.”
“How dare you disparage this lady!” Vincent strode into the room until he was toe-to-toe with Mr. Castern.
Brilliance felt her cheeks warm. Belinda had come closer to offer support, and their absolutely proper and polite Mr. Dunley had heard the ugly accusation. Why, she could not imagine their butler ever taking his clothes off even to sleep. She was sure nothing like this had ever happened in her parents’ drawing room before.
“This is your last chance to leave on your own two feet,” Vincent threatened.
Mr. Castern sneered. “It seems your ladylove is determined to bestow upon youmyfame. I warn you, Hewitt, if anyone asks me about your lady’s accusations, I shall recommend they consider the source.” He looked Brilliance up and down. “And her objectivity in the matter, or lack thereof. Lovers do not make for honest court witnesses.”
“Don’t they?” Brilliance asked, wondering why that might be so.
At the same time, Vincent grabbed Mr. Castern by the shoulder and, with the man trying and failing to break free, dragged him from the room.
She heard more shouting and then the front door slammed. A moment later, while tugging his sleeves down, Vincent reentered.
“Mr. Dunley would have removed him, my lord, and saved you the trouble.”
“Indeed,” said the butler. “It is my duty.” Then he sighed as if deprived of some amusement. “Do you need me further, my lady?”
“You may take Mr. Castern’s cup and saucer and bring a clean one for Mr. Hewitt.”
