Page 27 of The Duke’s Duet

"I believe that you mentioned Vittorio's theories about emotional resonance in performance?" he continued, carefully not acknowledging her silent gratitude.

"Yes, though I find his ideas about tempo rather rigid." Her voice grew animated as she warmed to the subject. "Surely the emotional truth of a piece must sometimes take precedence over strict mathematical timing?"

He found himself smiling despite his lingering anger at the men who had pressed her so inappropriately.

"Still trying to convince me to be less rigid in my own approach, Miss Piper?"

"Always, Your Grace." Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of gratitude and challenge that made his heart turn over. "Speaking of which..."

"Ah yes, your suggestion from this morning." He glanced around, ensuring their relative privacy. "I have been considering it."

"And?"

"And... perhaps you are not entirely wrong about the potential impact." He caught her quick intake of breath, the way that her eyes widened with hope. "I make no promises, but... we might discuss possible pieces tomorrow?"

The smile that she gave him was like sunrise breaking through clouds.

"I already have several in mind, Your Grace."

Of course she did. He shouldn't find her preparedness so enchanting, shouldn't be so affected by the eager light in her eyes. Yet as he made his excuses and moved away, he found himself already anticipating tomorrow's rehearsal with an intensity that had nothing to do with music. He was, he had to admit, shockingly captured by the way that she saw straight through his carefully maintained facade to the man beneath.

Heaven help him, but he was beginning to think that she might be worth any risk.