Page 53 of A Symphony for the Earl

“I am sure you misunderstand him…”

“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything. You should go upstairs and put on a dry gown before your cold returns.”

“Aren’t you going to change, too?”

“No, I am scarcely damp, and I must get in an hour or two of practice.”

“After supper, you must let me help you choose your dress.”

“Of course. But promise me you’ll take a nap first. I need you at your glorious best tonight for Denys Spencer, and as my pillar of support in facing the judgment of the ton.”

At the piano, Fiona went through the Mozart with a few minor mistakes, then repeated it cleanly. She sat, idly fingering the keys, and thought about her next meeting with Richard…how angry would he be? Perhaps her escapade in the park would be enough to discourage him from marrying her. But to be honest, she had missed his company. Why, oh why, were things so complicated?

Chapter Eighteen

The Musicale at Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s Home

Searching through the dresses in the oversized cherrywood armoire, Valentina gushed over Madame Brigitte’s latest creations.

“Absolutely, this one.” She pulled out a deceptively simple empire-style silk in pale seafoam with tiny, puffed sleeves. Velvet ribbons in deep turquoise crisscrossed the bodice and met underneath the breast, and a sheer net in a slightly darker blue-green fell over the skirt.

“There is a perfect shawl to match in my dresser. You might be a trifle cold while traveling, but it will be worth the sacrifice. And wear your aquamarines. I’ll send Betty to dress you and do your hair when I’m finished.”

Valentina frowned, sifting through the basket of accessories on Fiona’s dresser. “I do believe there is—yes! Madame B sent some matching ribbons for your hair. Shall we do it à la Grecque? I love that style for you! Up off your neck and wound with ribbon, with some smaller curls around your face?”

“I’m too intimidated to disregard your taste in fashion.”

“And you never should,” Valentina announced in Miss Ernest’s strictest manner, then spoiled it by giggling. “Now, I need to find something beautiful for myself that will still keep you the brightest star. After all, it is your night.”

“Do you know how wonderful it is to have a sister, after growing up an only child, mo chara milis?”

Valentina responded with a fierce hug. “I feel the same, dear friend. I’m sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but we’re so glad you came to London. Now, see to your preparation, and I’ll go to mine. It will be time to leave before you know it.”

At six o’clock, they met Lady Amelia in the atrium. “Oh! I must fetch my sheet music,” Fiona realized.

“Let me look at both of you first,” Lady Amelia ordered. Valentina spun in a circle, adding a curtsy at the end. She wore a gossamer sarsenet in her favorite powder blue with delicate lace across the bodice and sleeves. Fiona stopped and curtsied, lifting her skirts with care.

“Ah, perfect. You both deserve extraordinary matches. Perhaps you will see Viscount Atterbury tonight, Valentina.”

“I expect so.” Valentina sounded less than enthusiastic. She handed Fiona a cream challis shawl embroidered with irises in a pattern of intricate celadon leaves.

“Now, dear, I have told you often that fondness grows with time. After all, how can you be in love with someone you barely know?”

Fiona examined the soft wool, hiding her blush. She barely knew Richard, yet she could not deny the attraction between them. “Valentina, this is exquisite…are you sure you don’t wish to wear it yourself?”

“Not when it matches your gown so perfectly. Richard brought it as a gift from Paris, and a similar one for Mama. Do wear yours, Mama…it will complement your gown wonderfully.”

“Why don’t you lend me your cape, and I’ll ask Betty to bring it for you to wear. You know how I hate the cold.”

The ride seemed interminable, though they had only traveled to St. James’s. Fiona wondered if her butterflies were for the performance or from the possibility of seeing Richard.

The Burrell home, a grand red brick affair on the corner of Grosvenor Place, stood crowded with carriages and blue-and-silver liveried footmen in attendance. Alighting, Lady Amelia shook out the folds of her mauve dress and straightened her lace cap. Fiona and Valentina, lifting their skirts from the street, followed her to the entrance where a doorman with a powdered wig opened the ornate wooden doors.

A flood of light and noise poured from within. Fiona immediately looked for Richard, but she didn’t see his tall figure anywhere near the entrance hall.

Mrs. Drummond-Burrell met them at once, wearing wine velvet and sparkling with diamonds. “My dears, how kind of you to come. Miss Rafferty, I was thrilled when Lady Sefton told me you would play for us. Shall I take your music and set it by the piano? It’s a Sauter, imported from Germany. Peter insisted on it. Ah, here he is.”

“Can’t wait to hear you play, m’dear. Lady Amelia, I don’t see your son. Is he still at Seldon? I hear he has the odds-on favorite at Newmarket next week.” He took a pinch of snuff from a lacquered box.