“I don’t remember Papa much.” Lydia’s voice sounded sad.
My older sister scooped up our little girl. “He loved you a lot. Don’t forget that.”
She nodded. “Like the duke. He loves me.”
Katherine snuggled the girl close. “I think so.”
Then she bit her lips, clamping so tightly, nothing else could be uttered.
I began to play again. Mark’s tune was infectious. I understood why it stayed in his mind.
Scarlett popped up. “I’m glad you are participating, Katherine.”
“Yes,” I said. “The ball will be lovely. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“I’ll be there to watch you perform, then Lydia and I will retire for the evening.”
Lydia sat up and glared at her. “No. No. We’re supposed to have fun. The duke says fun all night.”
The child took off, running out of the parlor and up the stairs.
Shaking her head, Scarlett went after her. “At least you are coming. That will have to be enough. You’ll miss out on my triumph. Science picking Georgina’s most compatible suitor.”
When she left, Katherine folded her arms. “Is that true? Did the duke’s crazy method work?”
Pulling my fingers away from the keys, I lifted my gaze to her. “His methods, enhanced with Scarlett’s process and a bit of luck, picked Mr. Carew.”
“Mr. Carew, Mama’s physician, our family physician?”
“Yes. He’s known us for a while. He’s a good man and he’s kept all our family’s secrets.”
Daring her to say it—to condemn the choice because of her hatred of the duke, a selection that made sense—I stood and glared at her.
But she looked away. “The man is a good choice.”
No fight.
No, Katherine knows what’s best.
“You have nothing more to say?”
“Georgina, you’re old enough and smart enough to make up your mind. And the duke is better at everything. Only a fool would keep resisting.”
“Why do you hate him? It’s obvious that he cares for you and us.”
“And why are you forgetting what you feel about Lord Mark? It’s obvious he’s in love with you.” Katherine came to me. Inches away, our gazes locked, she said, “You’re afraid. You are masterful at playing the pianoforte but you won’t play in public. Your voice is a gift but until the duke’s ball you’ve kept it only for this house. And now you love someone, probably love him so much it frightens you.”
“Is that what you are saying about your heart, Katherine?”
She backed up for a second. The smile lines faded to sadness. “Maybe the duke’s a different man from the one I knew. Maybe he can be trusted. It doesn’t change the past or the hurt—”
“That you’ve done to him.”
Katherine started to go to the door.
“Don’t run. It’s you and me and Mama’s piano. We assumed when you returned from your grand adventure pregnant that the babies’ father had died.”
“He was dead to me.”
