Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel (9 page)

“What college, my lord?” Lord Donald asked.

“Balliol. What is your college, Lord Donald?”

“Christ Church. But I think your brother plays cricket, does he not?”

“Yes. Gerald is a Cricket Blue. Do you play?”

“No, but I am a first class spectator. Lord Gerald is bang up to the mark with a bat in his hands.”

Lord Kent asked, “I don’t recall seeing you in the House. Have you taken your seat in the Lords?”

“I have been to hear several debates and to vote, but I am afraid my attendance has not been what it should be. As I told you upon our first meeting, I am an admirer of yours, particularly your stance on the Corn Laws.”

“You are a Whig?”

“An ardent one. You probably know my friend, Lord Shrewsbury?”

“Yes. A fine young man. He will make an excellent contribution to the Lords.”

“He has recently hatched a scheme in which I hope you will allow Lady Melissa to take part.” He related the plans for the Girls’ School.

Lady Kent spoke up. “I hope the school itself will not be located in the East End!”

“Uh … I believe so. We would not get many girls in attendance if they had to travel to Mayfair. I doubt many would be willing to do so. Are you familiar with the Duchess of Ruisdell’s soup kitchen for wounded soldiers?”

“I have heard of it,” Lady Kent said, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.

“It is located in the East End, and they have a gentleman in attendance each day to insure the ladies’ safety.”

“Yes, and the Duchess had a bowl of scalding soup thrown in her face. It could have scarred her for life,” Lady Kent said.

“Oh, but Mama, I should love to teach those poor girls to read!”

“Will you or Lord Shrewsbury be in attendance during the girls’ lessons?” asked Lord Kent.

“We intend to have a similar arrangement to the Duchess’s,” Frank said, thinking fast. Of course, they would have to. Why hadn’t he or Shrewsbury thought of that before?

“I think it would be good for Melissa to be exposed to the needs of the poor and to have a hand in helping them out of their situation,” the girl’s father said.

Frank could see Lady Kent considering this. He didn’t know her well, but he imagined that Melissa’s exposure to compassionate young men, willing to undertake her protection, might have an appeal.

Turning to Melissa’s hero-worshipping brother, he said, “You’ll have to join me for dinner at Brook’s while you are in London.”

“I say, that would be first rate!” Lord Donald replied.

In the drawing room after dinner, Frank enjoyed a rubber of whist with Lord Donald as partner against Lord and Lady Kent, while Melissa played the pianoforte. Frank thought her playing sounded proficient but not inspired.

All in all, it was a pleasant evening and vastly preferable to staying home and worrying about Sophie and Shrewsbury. When he left the Aldridges,’ he was loath to face going home. Instead, he went to Brook’s and played billiards for a while, then switched to Faro.

Frank didn’t see his bed until dawn. Even so, he still dreamt of Sophie.

{ 13 }

LORD SHREWSBURY CALLED FOR SOPHIE
at nine o’clock. He looked extraordinarily handsome in a light blue satin evening jacket, matching breeches, and a cream-colored waistcoat embroidered in the same light blue. The colors set off his fair looks.

Sophie had been a loss over what to wear, since none of her evening gowns had arrived as yet. Taking Fanny’s somewhat outrageous advice, she had decided at last to wear her black performance ensemble. It was a bit
outré
for a woman of her age to wear black unless she was either performing or in mourning, but Sophie was feeling brave tonight, in her element, going to a
musicale.

Shrewsbury was a bit taken aback when she first appeared. Recovering himself, he said, “You do look uncommonly elegant, Miss Edwards. You will create a sensation at Lady Carmichael’s, I am certain.”

“I am awaiting my new wardrobe. These are my performance blacks. I am hoping they will not be too out of place at a musical evening.”

“You are likely to create a new trend,” he said gallantly.

As they traveled in the Shrewsbury carriage to the event, Sophie felt a little qualm. Even after so short a time, it seemed very strange for her to be spending an evening with someone other than Frank. She realized that in the last two days, she had become very comfortable with him. More than that: she had felt that he was hers and she was his.

However, Lord Shrewsbury was very attentive and kind. “Do you have plans for a
musicale
of your own any time soon?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “Bella and Joseph Carstairs are joining me for a performance of the Archduke Trio by Herr van Beethoven. We are in rehearsals and hope to have it ready in a few weeks. We are only attempting the last movement at present. It is a challenging piece.”

“If you are in league with the Carstairs, you must be very accomplished indeed.”

Sophie replied with more confidence than usual, “I have studied hard with an excellent master.”

“Best of luck to you, then.” He glanced at their surroundings. “It seems we have arrived.”

Shrewsbury handed her down from the carriage with an elegant gesture and offered his arm. Again, she felt slightly odd entering the brilliantly lighted townhouse with the baron.

There was a short receiving line inside, consisting of the host and hostess. Lady Carmichael looked Sophie up and down as Lord Shrewsbury introduced her. “Lord and Lady Carmichael, I have the pleasure to present another musician who has only recently arrived in London. Miss Sophie Edwards, a violinist. She was most anxious to hear Signorina Giannini’s piano performance.”

Sophie attempted a curtsey, but was only partly successful. “Good evening, my lord, my lady. Thank you so much for allowing me to come.”

“Hmm. Edwards. Any relation to the Marchioness of Deal?” her hostess asked with an avaricious gleam in her eye.

“She is my sister. My other sister is undoubtedly known to you, as well. The Duchess of Ruisdell.”

“Oh yes, the dear duchess has already arrived. You will find her in the Music Salon.”

“How lovely,” Sophie said. She knew full well that some eyebrows were still raised over Fanny’s behavior the year before, and though she loved her sister dearly, she was very glad she had the decorous Elise as a counterweight.

“Shall we join my sister?” Sophie asked Lord Shrewsbury.

She caught a flash of disappointment in the man’s eyes, but he said, “Of course. That would be lovely. She is one of the lights of London society.”

Elise welcomed her in a golden salon, lit with three enormous chandeliers. Holding out her hands, she kissed Sophie on both cheeks. Then she turned to her escort. “Good evening, Lord Shrewsbury. How kind of you to bring Sophie. I am certain she will enjoy the performance.” Turning to her sister, she said, “She is to play my song! ‘Für Elise!’ Did you know that Peter once told his insufferable brother that Beethoven had written it for me?”

They laughed.

“What else is she to play?” Sophie asked.

“The ‘Moonlight Sonata.’ It is very simple, but altogether magical. And then she is doing some Mozart, of course,” Elise said.

They looked about to find seats together. The Duke came in from the other room, greeting Sophie with a kiss on her knuckles and Shrewsbury with a hearty handshake.

“Lord Shrewsbury is to start a Girls’ School for orphans in the East End,” Sophie told Elise. “Aunt Clarice has undertaken the organization, and I am to be a teacher.”

“Wonderful idea,” thundered Ruisdell. “Just what we’re missing. I offer myself as a patron, Shrewsbury. You can be certain that Aunt Clarice will give it her all.”

They discussed the plans for the school until Lady Carmichael mounted the dais and introduced her
artiste.

As soon as the
Signorina
laid fingers on the keyboard, Sophie forgot the Girls’ School, Trowbridge’s presence, and the fact that she was oddly dressed. The delicate strains of “Für Elise” carried her like ripples on a stream, draining all the tension out of her and sweeping her away. “The Moonlight Sonata” was hauntingly exquisite, every progression both a surprise and at the same time expected. It was as though Beethoven had taken dictation from heaven.

Then came the intermission. Lord Shrewsbury inquired, “Would you like some cake and punch?”

“Perhaps a little punch. Thank you, my lord.”

The duke joined him as they melted into the crowd around the refreshment table.

“So what did you think?” Elise asked.

“You are the pianist,” Sophie said.

“Oh, I am not in your league musically. You know that, Sophie.”

“It was very well executed. I enjoyed it. But quickly, I must talk of something else. May I visit you and the children in the morning? I have so much to tell you and need your advice.”

“I will be at home to you, dearest. You have me all agog. Can you give me a hint?”

Sophie saw the men returning. She leaned in and whispered in Elise’s ear, “Gorgeous Frank.”

Elise gave a broad smile.

“Telling secrets?” the duke asked.

“Of course,” Elise said. “What did you expect when you left us alone?”

Shrewsbury handed Sophie her punch. “I do not know how to wait to hear you play your violin.”

“Well, you shall have to possess yourself in patience, my lord. We cannot be expected to put together a new piece, especially a Beethoven composition, in a short period of time.” Sophie smiled at him, hoping to take any reproach from her words.

He looked down at her with his light blue eyes, enhanced by the color of his coat. He really was very handsome. His expression was unaccountably gentle. “Are you enjoying the concert?”

“Very much. Thank you so much for bringing me. I should hate to have missed it.”

Sophie felt slightly awkward. Conversation with Lord Shrewsbury was not nearly as easy as it was with Frank. “I am looking forward to teaching in the Girls’ School. How long before it will get underway?”

“I am hoping that Lady Clarice and Lady Susannah can start canvassing for pupils in the coming week. That will probably be the most difficult part. I do not want the orphans to think we have nefarious plans in store for them.”

“No, that would not do. Will Sukey and my aunt be safe wandering the East End?”

“I will be behind them, dressed in beaver hat and top coat, trying to look non-threatening. I promise I will watch over Lady Clarice and Lady Susannah with great care.” He smiled at her, his eyes tender with reassurance. Sophie was growing confused. Was this man, Frank’s best friend, developing a
tendre
for her? Or was he like this with everyone?

“That makes me feel better. My aunt Clarice is like a mother to me. She visited often in Derbyshire. I should not want anything to happen to her. And, of course, Sukey is such a dear.”

Signorina Giannini ascended the dais, signaling it was time for the concert to resume. Shrewsbury gripped her elbow, guiding her to her chair. She felt none of the tingling or goose bumps she associated with Frank.

The Italian pianist played Mozart’s difficult and lively “Piano Sonata in A Major.” It was certainly designed as a showpiece for her abilities and had the benefit of keeping the audience awake.

Lord Shrewsbury seemed to be spending more time looking at her profile than he spent looking at the performer. His gaze made her uncomfortable. Soon her own attention wandered from the music. Clearly, something was afoot here. Did this man not know of his friend’s attachment to her?

As Sophie pondered the matter, she realized that Frank was undoubtedly a private person and would not have shared the intimate episodes that had passed between them. And they had not appeared anywhere in public since the visit to Hyde Park. Perhaps Lord Shrewsbury had no idea of his friend’s feelings—or of hers. It was an awkward situation, and she knew not what to do about it.

When the concert was over, Sophie offered her applause. As she stood to leave, Lord Shrewsbury put his hand in the small of her back, leading her out of the crowded room. She did not appreciate the proprietary gesture. Elise caught her eye and raised an eyebrow.

With her limp, Sophie found that Shrewsbury was propelling her a bit too fast for comfort.

“If you please, my lord, let me determine my own pace. If I might have your arm?”

He looked stricken. “Oh, I was forgetting … I beg your pardon, Miss Edwards. Perhaps we should wait until the crush has passed by?”

“Yes. I think that would be a good idea,” Sophie remarked.

They reached Buck’s home a good half hour later. Sophie decided not to invite the baron inside. Instead, she said, “That was delightful! Thank you so much for escorting me so that I did not miss it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a long day tomorrow.”

He raised a hand to her cheek. “Yes you look at bit fatigued. I will bid you good evening.” Bringing her gloved hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles just as Perkins opened the door. Then he was gone.

She was too tired to worry about Shrewbury’s attentions tonight. She would talk it out with Elise tomorrow.

~
~*

Sophie received two offerings the following morning. To her discomfort, Lord Shrewsbury sent her a bouquet of white roses. His card read,
Thank you for a memorable evening. I look forward to many more.

The other was a delicate maidenhair fern from Frank.
This lovely thing is the color of your eyes. I missed you last night. Perhaps you would be so kind as to hostess a dinner party at my house tonight? I will invite Buck and Fanny (and Alexa, of course), Shrewsbury, Lady Melissa, her parents, and the Ruisdells, if they have not committed elsewhere for the early part of the evening. I would also count it as an honor if you would give us a repeat performance of the Mozart on your violin.

Your own,

Frank

What fun! Of course, she would love to be hostess. Dashing off a note to that effect, she gave it to Sally to give to the footman for delivery. What an admirable way for Shrewsbury to find out where her interests lay.