“Yes,” Scarlett said, “Georgie the brave, not Georgie the runner.”
“Where are you going, Georgina?” Katherine’s voice made me still.
Unconsciously, I’d half turned toward the closest exit.
Each sister grabbed one of my arms. “We can all do this together,” our eldest said. “We can be the singing Wilcoxes.”
Kissing both their hands, I refused. “You two keep your heads up. Lord Mark will come.”
The Earl of Livingston came to me. His countenance looked grim. “I think our friend had a little bit of an accident, so he may not show up to assist you. That’s what he told me to say.”
“So he told you to tell me something?”
“Yes, he did. You’ll have to do your performance without him. I heard you sing. Do it a cappella. It will be even better. I think that’s what Sebastian wants, for you to do everything without him.”
That didn’t sound like Mark, but the embarrassment he must be feeling was probably acute. If my brother-in-law had taught me anything, it was that you raise your head no matter how big the scandal. Tavis would go into rooms owing everyone, and still bet or borrow more.
My father had faced the stares with grace. I could too. I was his daughter. “I’m ready, Lord Livingston, but I can play the piece.”
“Excellent.” His gaze went about the room. “Mr. Carew is missing. Hopefully, he’ll step back in, hear you sing, and see, like our scientific process said, you’re his perfect match.”
Following the earl, I again bobbed and turned and sidestepped dancers. At the head of the room, the grand pianoforte glistened in the bright light. Dido and Elizabeth looked over my shoulder.
“No one will miss seeing me, Lord Livingston.”
“Did I have them add too many candles?”
“Yes, my lord, but it’s better to see the music.”
Now his head whipped. “No sheet music. Sebastian must have it, or he plays from memory. No matter, you can still just sing.”
The fellow was extremely nervous. Then I looked out the window and saw the reason.
Mark, supported by the duke and Mr. Carew, was walking back and forth. In and out of the maze.
Was he injured or drunk?
Were they trying to sober him up?
Livingston gazed at me. “Found him. But now you need to stall. With all the gossip about his father, Sebastian will be stained too.”
Seeing Mark in trouble, knowing that I could help by offering an attention-gathering performance, gave me courage. “I need no sheet music.”
He clapped his hands. “Now, we will have a rendition of Pleyel’s hymn by Miss Georgina Wilcox. She has been a student of Lord Mark Sebastian.”
The crowd hushed. I was sure they recognized me from before, and now the earl had tied my name again with Mark’s. I had to do well for him and my family.
Steadying myself to the hush of the crowd, I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.
Hundreds of eyes stared.
My heart pounded.
My eyes wanted to turn and see if Mark was better.
My pulse raced.
Then my mother’s voice sounded in my head.Time for lessons, dear. Show Papa what you know. Make him proud.
