Page 73 of The Duke’s Duet

"What shall we play?" he asked softly.

Her smile held perfect understanding.

"Perhaps the duet? The one that started everything?"

His fingers found the opening notes without conscious thought. When Melody's voice joined his, everything else faded away - duty, society, even the weight of their coming separation. There was only this - their perfect harmony, their souls touching through the music they created together.

Their families might be watching, but in this moment they were alone in their own world of music and meaning. Every phrase carried memories of their journey together, every harmony spoke of their future. When the final notes faded, Harper looked up to find tears shining in Melody's eyes.

"How will I bear six months without this?" she whispered.

He caught her hand, pressing it to his heart.

"By remembering that every note you sing in Italy brings you closer to coming home. To coming back to our music, our life, our future together."

The word 'home' seemed to reach something deep inside her. Her fingers tightened on his as she smiled through her tears.

"Our music," she repeated softly. "Always our music."

Tomorrow would bring another very early morning, with proper goodbyes and formal arrangements at the ship. But tonight, in this candlelit room with their families watching indulgently, they had this moment of perfect understanding. This promise of everything yet to come.