Emily’s mother was ecstatic—two weddings—who would have thought? She barely knew which way to turn, until Emily announced that her wedding was to take place at Linfield Hall. The protocols and requirements of a duke’s wedding were far beyond the scope of the Dunn family and the Duchess had taken on that task with some additional help from Alice.

But it was quite enough for the family to prepare for Ruth and Spencer’s upcoming wedding. Ruth had arranged for the reception at Harrods with Fanny’s help, as Emily had suggested. Since Teresa suddenly considered herself the new fashion expert, she was helping Ruth choose the bridal gown. Mother was taking up the slack by arranging everything else. It had been discussed and decided that Emily would be far too busy with her new career to be of much help with this wedding—now that she had her own wedding to plan by October.

However, first, she was determined to get her career back on track. Mark made it clear he was expecting her to follow her dream and he was true to his word.

Emily received a letter from him in the morning post. It read:

My Darling Beloved Emily,

How I have missed you these few days we have been separated. But I have such great news for you. I have had a letter from Herr Darmstadt with the schedule for a proposed European tour for you in next year’s season. He was able to make these arrangements far in advance of the three months he had originally anticipated.

I am planning to leave for Heidelberg in two days and should be gone no longer than a week to finalize the tour and program, and to sign whatever papers are required. I hope this meets with your approval, as you will not be there to see the schedule and programs for yourself. I considered asking you to accompany me, but I know you are busy with other matters and it would mean at least a week away from your rehearsing—which I believe you would not want.

I am also writing to Alice and I have asked her to contact Mr. Butler and straighten out the mess that Silas made for you. She is very adept at dealing with difficult situations—after all she has twin boys!

You shall be hearing from Alice shortly and you may ask her any questions you might have.

And thus, I send you my deepest and enduring love.

Your Ever Devoted

Mark

Emily immediately wrote a reply, giving Mark full power to take care of business for her in Germany—knowing he would have her best interests in mind.

Emily posted the letter so that he would receive it before he left for Germany and realized that, with the funeral and the proposal and Ruth’s upcoming wedding, she had not practiced for more than four days. It was time to start up again.

She practiced hard all morning, and after a brief lunch, started up again and continued the rest of the afternoon. She was shocked to see how much the dexterity in her fingers had decreased with just a few days of neglect.

During a tea break, the afternoon post arrived, and there was a letter from Alice, inviting her to visit the next morning to discuss her bridal gown (which Alice had been tasked by the Duchess to help provide) and to visit about what Alice had accomplished in her meeting with Mr. Butler.

Most encouraging, Emily thought.

* * *

Alice’s invitation was set for ten o’clock and Emily was careful to arrive on time, as she did not want to inconvenience Alice, who was as busy with her own work as Emily was with hers.

This is the first time Emily had seen Alice since Emily had become engaged to her brother and, as Emily entered the sitting room, Alice screeched and ran to Emily, throwing her arms around her.

“Now we shall truly be sisters,” she said, as she released Emily, who had dropped her handbag in the enthusiastic embrace. “I am so very happy for you. And to tell you a little secret,” she said as she linked her arm with Emily and led her to the sofa. “I always suspected you two would make the perfect couple, and you see how right I have been proved.”

They sat down and just stared each other with large grins. They were so happy they could only leave their joy unspoken.

Then Alice broke their trance saying, “First, a report on my meeting with Mr. Butler.”

“Why must I even deal with the gentleman? He was so dismissive of me and never let me defend myself. How can I ever work with him?” Emily asked.

Alice raised her hand in a gesture of caution. “It seems that Silas did go to see him and explained the entire episode. And Mr. Butler was so ashamed of himself, he pleaded with me to bring you to him as soon as possible so that he might make amends. In fact, he is putting together a nice limited UK touring schedule for you for this upcoming season. However, you may not be able to accept all the dates, as a few fall close to your wedding date.” She leaned forward and whispered, “And I am certain Mark wants to take you on a splendid and extended honeymoon. But do not tell him I told you.”

Emily both smiled and blushed. “Then I shall be happy to meet Mr. Butler again. And might you be able to accompany me?”

“Of course.”

“It is just that I worry about taking too much time away from your… pardon me, Mr. Blake’s composing,” she said with a smile.

“My dear, I think we can dispense with the fiction of Mr. Blake between us now, think you not?”

Emily nodded. “Yes, but the ruse was such fun. Then may I use your name, instead of Mr. Blake’s, when I premiere the piece you gave me for my tour?”

Alice hesitated, but then said, “Why not? How appropriate to have a female pianist play a work by a female composer. Times are changing, are they not?”

“It would appear to be so.”

“Now then, to the second important item—your bridal gown. Grandmamma has asked me to help with the design and construction of your wedding dress. Of course, I want it to be entirely to your taste, but I know the very best designer, and together we can make you the most beautiful bride of the fall season.”

“I should like that very much. On my own I would have no idea where to go or what would be appropriate for a ducal wedding.”

“Excellent. I have set up an appointment in an hour for us to meet with the designer. Measurements must be taken. Then a spot of lunch at Russets, and we have a two o’clock appointment with Mr. Butler. Does that suit you?”

“Most assuredly,” Emily agreed.

For a moment, Alice just stared at Emily with such a look of affection, and then asked, “Tell me, how did Mark propose to you?”

Emily related the disturbing incident with Silas coming to her bedroom, but ended the story with the joyous and unexpected surprise of Mark’s proposal.

“Oh, my dear. Now that is a story.”

“And I have no idea what Mr. Skeffington’s status is right now in the family. Have you heard?”

“Mark has said nothing to me,” Alice said.

“All I know is that he was escorted out of the house in the dead of night by a burley footman.”

That image set the two laughing.

Emily then said, “But Silas did recant his story to Mr. Butler. So, he has, at least partially, redeemed himself.” Then she asked, “But did you feel terribly violated?”

“It never came to anything. Mark intervened before Silas could make any serious advances. It was more of a surprise than an actual threat.”

“But it must not have seemed so at the time,” Alice said.

Emily tilted her head. “There were a few startling moments. But it passed, and I believe the threat catapulted Mark into asking me to marry him.”

“And here we are—about to choose your wedding gown.”

“And launch my new career.”

* * *

Emily’s day with Alice had been a lot of fun. The meeting with Mr. Butler was most successful, and together they had worked out a schedule of performances that would work around the wedding.

Mr. Butler was most gracious and apologetic and offered her an agency contract. However, she wanted to have Mark review it before she signed.

Emily’s head was still spinning from viewing the amazing range of wedding gown designs. It was impossible to make an immediate selection, but they took her measurements and she came home with a number of fabric samples to study with her mother and sisters.

But foremost in her mind was that she must meet with Linton. She sent him a note asking him to come visit her at home. She did not mention the engagement, as she wanted to tell him about that in person. She suggested he come for tea and a stroll in the park, as she did not want to embarrass him by announcing the engagement with her family nearby, fearing it might further agitate him.

It seemed that summer had come on with a vengeance and the weather was hot and dry. There had not been a refreshing rain for nearly three weeks.

Nonetheless, at the appointed time, which was late afternoon, Linton arrived, bearing a bouquet of flowers and a large smile.

Emily felt she might be blushing as she accepted the flowers. “Oh, Linton, how very thoughtful. Thank you. Please come inside.”

Emily escorted him to the sitting room.

“Let me just give the flowers to Molly to put in water. I shall return in just a moment.”

Linton nodded. “I shall be right here.”

When Emily returned, she gave Linton a big smile and noticed how hot and close it was in the room. “Shall we go out into the garden? I was thinking we might have a stroll in the park, but it is much too hot. Think you not?”

“As long as I am with you, I am content. But I am happy to accompany you wherever you wish.”

Emily led them across the lawn to her bench under the tree. Here it was secluded and private—and even better than the park.

“How have you been?” she began by asking. “What are you doing these days since the trio disbanded? That must have been a shock for you.”

Linton lost his grin and he seemed sobered by the question.

“I have to say, it was a shock, indeed,” he said. “I had cleared my schedule to tour and had given up or passed on several opportunities that had come my way for employment.”

Emily felt a little guilty about that, but it was Ruth and Teresa who finally scuttled the trio. She could not help it, and she put her hand on his out of sympathy. However, he seized on the opportunity to take her hand and hold it.

“I am truly sorry to hear about your loss,” she said. “But you are so talented I am certain more opportunities will open up for you. Has Giles been able to help in any way?”

“He is not charging me for my lessons until I get employment, but he has not been able to secure me any new work.”

Emily carefully withdrew her hand and turned to him more directly.

But before she could speak, he said, “I was hoping we might choose some music for our evening at the café. The owner keeps asking me about you.”

“Linton, about that…” Emily hesitated, finding it very difficult to tell him about her engagement.

But before she could speak he pushed forward, “And, by the way, how is your new career going? Do you have your European bookings yet?”

She reached over and placed her finger gently on his mouth to stop him speaking further. “Linton, please, I have something important I need to tell you.”

Seeming so surprised by her action, he said nothing more and sat up straighter.

She reluctantly began, “There have been a lot of changes in my life these past few weeks and I will not be able to go to the café or play music with you.”

He seemed to be puzzled and asked, “Why not? Are you to start your tour already?”

“No. Linton, that is not the issue.”

“Oh, what is it, then?”

“I am engaged to be married in October.”

Linton’s expression fell and he scooted away from her on the bench.

“I am to marry the Duke of Edgerton. I know it is a shock and a surprise. But it is to me, too. I had no idea this would come about while you and I were seeing each other. And I had no intention of leading you on. Please believe me about that.”

He stood and looked down at her. “It is difficult for me to believe that you had no idea that the Duke was interested in you enough to ask you to marry him while we were having our lovely times together. It makes me feel like a complete fool.”

Now Emily was shocked. “I am sorry you feel that way, Linton. But, truly, other than working together and enjoying his company while we were working on my career, I had no idea he would propose. After all, I am not of the aristocracy and I fully expected him to be engaged to his longtime friend, and the choice of his family—Miss Sophie Crauford.”

“And do you love him? Or is this an opportunity you cannot pass up—to be a duchess?”

Now Emily was offended and angry and she stood. “How dare you accuse me of such an unseemly act. I had hoped you and I might remain friends and colleagues, but I can see you may not be capable of friendship.”

“Friends? You and me? It seems unlikely that a duchess would have any interest in being friends with a poor, strolling musician such as me.”

She suddenly felt very sad. “Oh, Linton…”

“Good day Miss Emily. I hope you have a splendid aristocratic life.”

And with that, he dashed across the garden and left by way of the house.

Emily sat down, shaken and even sadder. But she realized that this may have been a blessing. What would have happened if they had continued seeing each other and she discovered this unpleasant side of Linton after it was too late? She sighed, closed her eyes, and brought the smiling face of her fiancé to her mind.