Page 69 of A Symphony for the Earl

“Yes…” she answered, looking at him dubiously.

“In comparison with my station and wealth, isn’t it right that those gifts are substantially multiplied? You certainly wouldn’t refuse some new gloves from a poorer spouse, would you? So, how can you refuse this?”

“Leathcheann!” She snatched the case from his hand, laughing. “You are the most ridiculous man.”

How could he think he could hope to stay dispassionate when it came to his betrothed? Every day, she enchanted him more.

Her eyes widened as she opened the case. The glorious necklace had caught his eye at once. It was a simple string of raspberry-red gems set in gold, framing a brilliant ruby surrounded by diamonds, and he had known it would look stunning on her.

“Will it fit the wedding gown you have in mind? I have the earrings as well, but I hesitated to tempt fortune and give you both at the same time.” She nodded, speechless.

He pulled a chair close to the piano, sinking against the cushions with a deep exhalation of pleasure. “Perhaps you can thank me by playing the Mozart? The last few days have been incredibly tedious.”

She set the case aside and stretched her fingers. “Lady Amelia mentioned you were deep in consultation with your new secretary. I hope he meets your expectations.”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t be able to take you to Newmarket otherwise. But we will speak of our plans later.”

She fingered the keys, refusing to meet his eyes. “Is this what you meant when you said I would play just for you?”

“No. That is something entirely different, for a time when we have privacy.” She blushed and began the sonata. The allegro started with both hands in unison, followed by difficult trills and a repeat, to various elaborations of a rather grand first theme in E minor, then cadencing to the dominant.

It had been a long time since Richard sat at a piano. But his love of music had never faded, and knowing he would share this with Fiona was pure joy.

The second theme provided a balletic contrast to the tumultuous allegro and developed into various keys with a hint of the counterpoint to come in the adagio. She managed the passages and harmonic exploration in that movement, but he heard the tentativeness in her playing, and it lacked the smoothness of the first section.

The third movement was captivating; playful and light in texture, it featured the scales and arpeggios of a well-written allegretto.

When the last notes echoed in the still room, she turned to him. “It’s good, but not as powerful as it could be. Have you any advice, Richard?”

He recalled the different elements of her performance. “The piece, in my mind, is all about tension and release. Otherwise, the cadence becomes somewhat commonplace. Can you extend the melody a bit more to enhance the new themes in the second movement and interrupt the tempo?”

Her eyes opened wide with excitement. “Of course. I will try drawing out the tension…it will emphasize the release you noticed.”

She went back to the adagio, experimenting quickly with the fermata and forte until the tone of the movement became more expressive and less repetitive.

When she played it a third time, he nodded approvingly.

“Excellent. Your adjustments have carried it beyond the commonplace.”

Fiona regarded him so radiantly that he rose involuntarily, crossed the distance between them, and lifted her from the bench, slanting his mouth possessively to hers.

She melted into him, and his heartbeat became a tattoo of desire. Dragging his lips away, he sought the pulse beating in the delicate hollow of her throat, and his mouth slid down to her breasts. She arched toward him.

“Fiona—” he groaned.

As if through a fog, he heard voices and relaxed his grip, brushing her lips with a gentle kiss and stepping away.

Her hand touched her flushed cheeks. “Richard…we have an arrangement, that is all…isn’t it?”

Before he could reply, his mother’s call echoed in the hallway. When she entered the room with his sister, Fiona was once more at the piano, and he stood by the fire, wondering if he knew the answer to his betrothed’s question.

*

Richard greeted Lady Amelia and Valentina with his customary address.

“Fiona, you missed a lovely time.” Valentina walked over to the piano. “Were you able to practice?”

“Yes.” She steadied her breathing, wondering if it was obvious she had just been ruthlessly kissed. “A Mozart sonata. Your brother was helping me with the interpretation.”