There was a large pianoforte in the main drawing room, where we would play tonight, but I could not practice there without being overheard. Instead I made my way toward the room where I’d lost my temper with Halstead. At least there was little chance of anyone hearing me play there. But as I turned down the passageway, I passed the duchess’s sitting room, where I could not miss the heated conversation taking place between Halstead and his mother and grandmother.
“The thought that you would invite them without my permission is not only irksome; it is intolerable. I will not allow you to meddle in the affairs of my life.” Halstead’s voice had a perilous edge to it.
“Oh, calm yourself. I had as much a hand in this as your mother.” The dowager clearly had no intention of apologizing. “It is obvious that you no longer have the best interests of the dukedom in mind. I had hoped that seeing that silly Lord Aberdeen might awaken some sense of duty in you. The very thought of him inheriting because you refuse to marry and produce an heir . . .” A heavy sigh punctuated her frustration.
His mother spoke as the dowager trailed off. “What’s done is done. And whatever you may think of our actions, Halstead, I hope you will not embarrass our family by snubbing the Wollertons. Lady Margaret deserves better.”
“And what do I deserve?” he thundered. “To be hounded by every female relation I have?” A loud thump sounded, which I could only assume was his cane. “The accident took everything from me, and now you demand even more. As I have made abundantly clear, I shall not marry. And your ill-schemed attempts will not convince me otherwise.”
My chest constricted to hear him speak so bluntly. For while there was anger in his voice, there was something else too. Before I could think on it further, the dowager let out a puff of annoyance, ignoring his outburst.
“Curse your stubbornness, Halstead. Stop and think for just a moment. Have you even considered the position Lady Margaret has been in these past few years?”
“A position she easily could have remedied,” Halstead shot back. “I made my intentions clear. No doubt she could have had her choice of suitors.”
“Yet she has remained unmarried.”
“So I should marry her out of pity?”
His mother cleared her throat. “I see you are not to be reasoned with, so there is no point in arguing any further. Only I wish you would at least consider.”
Silence.
“I shall at least move forward and keep the two of you seated together at mealtimes,” she said.
“You may do what you wish, but rest assured it will have no influence over me.”
Footsteps sounded, sending a jolt of awareness through me. If I stayed still, I would be caught eavesdropping. I dashed forward, not stopping until I reached the music room.
I took a seat on the bench at the pianoforte as my heart rate slowed. Lifting the fallboard, I tried to push away all thoughts of the conversation I’d overheard. I’d already wasted precious time, and I still hadn’t the faintest idea what to play this evening.
I riffled through the limited selection that rested on the bench. Most of the pieces were too difficult for me to even attempt. As I looked at the complicated arrangements, a steady pulse began to beat in my temples, signaling an oncoming headache. I closed my eyes, massaging my fingertips over my eyelids, wishing the day were over.
The evening loomed before me, hours during which I would have no choice but to admire Lady Margaret, her perfect breeding and elegance. No doubt Halstead would eventually fall prey to her many charms. How could he not? But the thought of trying to make myself feel something for Robert as I looked on made my insides swirl with discontent.
The clock on the mantel chimed the hour. I bit back a curse, for I was no closer to choosing a song, and it was already time to dress for dinner. Aunt Agnes’s shrill voice sounded in the back of my mind. I’d be punished for my performance this evening, no question.
As I passed the drawing room on my way upstairs, I considered sneaking in and loosening the strings on the piano, rendering it horribly out of tune. Then, at least, I’d be relieved from any obligation to play. But the embarrassment if I were caught . . . No. I’d have to face the group and do my best to avoid censure.
Up in my room Betsy had laid out a pale-pink dress, one that always made me feel more like a young girl than a woman about to reach my majority. I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out my dark-green evening gown. “I’d like to wear this tonight.”
Betsy’s mouth turned down in surprise. “But it’s one of your best gowns.”
“Yes, and with the arrival of the new guests and me being expected to perform this evening, heaven knows I need every ounce of confidence it will give me.”
“Very well.”
She pulled my day dress up over my head and then adjusted my stays. “Your hair leaves something to be desired,” she said as she pulled the green gown over my head. The soft silky feel of the material against my skin sent a wave of shivers down my spine.
“Yes, I was hoping you might be able to remedy that.” I looked at her pleadingly as she smoothed out my dress.
Betsy stepped back, observing me with a look of concentration. “The green suits you.” She nodded her approval.
I turned, catching sight of myself in the mirror. She was right. It enhanced my muddy-brown eyes, bringing them to life. My whole complexion brightened with the contrast.
She guided me over to the vanity and motioned for me to take a seat. “Now, let us see what can
