Aside from the piano, Emily loved to read. She practiced and studied the piano throughout the day, almost every day. But when she had free time, she liked to curl up in the window seat in the parlor that overlooked the back garden and read. However, this morning she was having a difficult time concentrating on her book before breakfast.

Last evening had been a wakeup call for Emily. She had slept little last night and was the first of the family to arrive downstairs for breakfast—even before her mother. And now, as she tried to focus on her book, her thoughts drifted to the Duke of Edgerton. What a gentle and solicitous man. And so very handsome, she thought. It had been a long time since she found a man not only attractive but also caring and solid. He appeared to be a man who was both thoughtful and responsible. Not at all like the many young men who flocked to her because of her talent and novelty. She had become inured to almost all of these feckless fellows and barely noticed them anymore—which made her realize, all the more, what a profound effect Mark had had on her.

But she shook off her thoughts of Mark and began to consider his proposal. This was all too much to absorb by herself. There would definitely need to be a family discussion about all of this along with Giles when he arrived this morning for the post-concert evaluation.

Emily tried to go back to her book, but it was of no use. She was too flooded with thoughts and concerns about the immediate future to concentrate on the book any further.

She got up from the window seat and sought out her family in the dining room.

“Good morning,” she greeted, ruffling her father’s hair—which always annoyed him, and sitting at the table and pouring herself a second cup of tea.

Ruth and Teresa looked a little hung over. They were not accustomed to the amounts of champagne that Silas had pressed upon them last evening.

“Your sisters were telling me all about your dinner and visit with the Duke of Edgerton. That must have been a pleasant surprise,” their father said. “And have you seen the morning reviews?”

He scooted several newspapers over toward Emily.

“I usually pay little attention to reviews, Papa, as you know,” she said moving the papers back to him.

“Here’s one quote,” he said, picking up one of the papers to read from it. Virtuoso playing, once again, by freshest musical sensation to grace the keys of a piano… He looked over his glasses at his other daughters. “He means you two, as well, of course.”

“Yes, Papa,” Ruth said testily.

“And here is another… Bold but tender. The Mozart Fantasia was a revelation of musical magic… How about that? My. My.”

“The Duke was most charming, Papa. But there is a lot we need to discuss when Giles arrives shortly. Will you be able to meet with us?” Emily asked.

Papa took out his pocket watch and checked it. “I need to open the shop, but Arnold is in early today, so he can mind the shop for a brief time. I should very much like to hear what the Duke has to offer once we contact him.” He put his watch back in his waistcoat pocket, and then asked Emily, “And how do you feel the concert went?”

Emily was becoming greatly conflicted about her sisters’ performances. It was clear that both Silas and the Duke were focusing on her performance and were dismissing the sisters playing.

“It went very well. The audience was most enthusiastic.”

“It must have been a most satisfying concert to catch the Duke’s attention,” their father replied.

Ruth spoke up. “They were most gracious to us at the interval. The Duke, in particular, gushed about the performance. And he does a great deal in the world of music. Of course, he is not a professional, but I understand his family is very well connected and have supported the arts for generations.”

Teresa looked up from her book, took off her eyeglasses, and wiped them with her napkin, adding, “I had the roast leg of lamb at Simpsons. It was quite marvelous, and it was served with the most delightful little white potatoes with butter and parsley.”

Emily was lost in thought momentarily. She had always been a loyal supporter of her sisters and felt a great affection for them, but it was becoming increasingly clear that they were not as dedicated as she was, and the poorer quality of their work was beginning to show. This had been brought most forcefully to her attention when it was strongly suggested by the Duke and Mr. Skeffington that she perform solo recitals.

But she decided to keep these thoughts to herself for the time being. Perhaps when she and Giles would meet with the Duke later on, she might bring up the subject of solo work.

* * *

Emily and the sisters were in the parlor with their father and Giles. Teresa was knitting yet another scarf for the poor and Ruth was replacing a string on her cello. Emily and Papa were giving Giles their full attention.

“This is a most exciting opportunity,” Giles said. “Did His Grace give any indication of what sort of support he might offer?”

“He did not. He just said he would like to help advance our careers,” Emily said.

“Might he be willing to offer monetary help, do you think?” Giles asked, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced the room.

“That was not discussed,” Emily said. But she hesitated before saying, “However, at one point, the subject of solo recitals was brought up.”

“What does that mean?” Papa asked.

“They were asking if I ever gave solo recitals. I said I had not, as we were a trio.”

“And rightly so,” Papa said, indignant that there should be such a suggestion. “My girls will always perform together. It is how we started out and it is how we shall remain.”

Emily locked eyes with Giles. She could see he was troubled by her father’s statement, as he had often pressed her to perform solo. But she shook her head, indicating she did not want him to bring up that subject at this time.

“How exactly did the Duke suggest we move forward?” Papa asked.

“He proposed that we meet with him at Linfield Hall to discuss the possibilities further,” Emily said.

Father seemed perturbed. “I would not be able to get away from the shop for such a meeting.”

“That should not be a problem. I can direct the enquiry and report everything back to you after,” Giles insisted.

“I have to say it sounds intriguing, but I do have reservations,” Papa said. “Up until now, we have been able to control every aspect of their careers ourselves. I am afraid, if the Duke becomes involved, we might lose some of that control. He might want to take us in directions we may not want to go.”

“There will be no decisions made without your consent,” Emily said, going over to where her father was seated and put her hand on his shoulder.

“Hmm.” He turned to Giles. “Promise me there will be no agreements reached at this meeting. I want to hear about everything he proposes, and then we can discuss it and decide. Do you promise me that?”

Giles nodded, but he did not seem happy about it.

Papa turned to Ruth and Teresa. “Are you going to this meeting?”

Teresa shook her head, but Ruth said, “I see no reason to. Giles and Emily can report everything back to us. Why waste a day traveling to Linfield and back?” She looked up with a dreamy expression. “However, it would be nice to see the Duke again.” Then she shook her head. “But I think not.”

Papa seemed irritated, “Ruth, you can truly be such a lazy young woman. I would think it would interest you to hear what the Duke has to say. It would give you the opportunity to ask questions and respond to what he offers. Do you have so little interest in your own career?”

Ruth sighed. “All this talk bores me. Giles is our manager. He has our best interests at heart. He can do the management and we can do the performing. That is quite sufficient for me.”

Papa stood up. “Ruth, Teresa, sometimes you truly anger me. I have always had your best interests in mind, but if you care so little about your own lives, I really do not know what is going to happen to you.”

Teresa looked up from her knitting. “Oh, Papa, what difference does it make? We are just going to get married someday soon, and our careers will be over in any case.”

Papa was visibly upset. “Teresa, is that what you truly believe?”

“I certainly hope so. A career is no substitute for a husband,” she insisted.

“But a career in music is certainly greater than ordinary comforts of domesticity. Can you not see that?”

Teresa just stared at him like he had just grown a third eye.

Emily stepped in and said, “Papa, Teresa is expressing her wish to have a family. There need not be a conflict with having a musical career as well. I am certain with Giles’s skills and expertise he can manage both for her, or any of us, can he not?”

He seemed to be placated by her suggestion. “You may be right.”

Giles now stepped forward and asked, “How is this meeting to be arranged?”

“Send him a note proposing the time and he will make sure he can meet us. We can take our carriage to Linfield, may we not, Papa?”

“Of course. I am just sorry I cannot accompany you.” He turned to Giles, “And you make sure to be mindful of our best interests.”

“It will be my great pleasure, Mr. Dunn. I will always do my very best—as usual.”