Lucinda and Marianne instantly got to their feet to clap once the performance was over. A standing ovation seemed fitting, and Miss Catalani accepted a huge arrangement of flowers from Lady Belvedere. The honored guest waved and blew a kiss to the audience before departing the room. Tony handed Lucinda his kerchief, and it was only then that she realized that tears had escaped.
“She is astonishing, is she not?” the dowager exclaimed. “I saw her a few years back when she played Susanna in Figaro. I had never heard a voice so commanding, so ethereal. It quite overwrought the senses.”
“She was all right,” Tony said.
All three of them turned to stare at him.
“I am joking, of course. She was amazing and I enjoyed her performance very much.”
“Oh, I wish she would come back and sing again,” Lucinda said. She had never seen such a performance and wondered if she ever would again. She did not want the evening to end, but eventually they all got into the coach Tony had arrived in for the short ride home.
She could not stop grinning, so happy a night she had had. Her heart was full, and she was able to admire Tony as he teased Marianne good naturedly about her choice of shoes.
“Tony dear, you should take Lucinda and Marianne to the opera. It is something everyone should experience.”
“If I can find the time, I will most certainly take all of you, but… only if Marianne never wears these shoes again.”
“Oh, Marianne, your brother is too mean. You should wear them to the next ball just to spite him.” Lucinda laughed.
“That is low, Miss Sterling. Are these the lengths you both will go to just to annoy me? Mother?”
“Do not look at me, my boy. I think you are getting off lightly.”
“I am shocked! My own mother.”
Then they all fell about the carriage in laughter. By the time they alighted from the carriage, Lucinda felt like she was floating on air.
Tony bowed to his mother and sister but managed to whisper to Lucinda, “Don’t forget to meet me in the parlor in an hour.”
Lucinda nodded and followed the others upstairs. May came and helped her get ready for bed. She ensured that she wore her dressing gown and slippers when she went downstairs. Her heart was racing as she approached the door. What did Tony want to give her? She foolishly hoped he wanted to kiss her. Of course, he had told her no more kisses.
Chapter Thirteen
Lucinda slipped throughthe double doors and made her way over to the window so that she could look out on the dark street below. The moonlight lit the street with a silvery glow. It gave it a magical quality. So transfixed by the scene, she did not notice Tony coming in. He came up behind her and touched her shoulder. She turned and found herself stepping into his embrace. He was still dressed in his evening wear, and she could detect the faint smell of sandalwood and citrus. The warmth that radiated from his body was comforting. She wanted to kiss him more than anything, and when she lifted her face to look at him, she detected a longing in his eyes that must surely be mirrored in hers.
He stepped away but took her hand and led her to the sofa. She sat and waited for him to speak. He looked at her with an expression of excitement and walked a few paces before returning to her.
“Lucinda.”
“Yes?”
She watched as he took something out of his pocket, looking down at it in the palm of his hand before looking back at her.
“I went to your solicitor’s today,” he began. “I wanted to know what, if anything, your father had left for you.”
“Let me guess,” she said, knowing the answer. “Nothing. No letter. No note. No explanation.”
“No. I am sorry. I wanted so much for there to be something that would fill in the blanks. Your father has, however, left you a very generous dowry and an inheritance from your fraternal grandmother. There is some jewelry that belonged to your mother as well. All of which will come to you on your majority or when you marry.”
She couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice. Although she should have been grateful for her financial security, she felt numb. Even the thought of her mother’s jewelry did not elicit any joy. “Thank you. That is nice to know.”
“I do not think you realize what this means. You will be a wealthy young woman. There is no need for you to marry in such haste.”
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I am not marrying for financial security. I do not even need a title.”
“Then what do you want, Lucinda?”
“I want…”You.She nearly said aloud. It was almost painful to look at him, so she lowered her head and stared at her hands in her lap.
