Sarah nodded. “Thank you for your advice, Lady Billows.”
“And Lady Sarah,” she said, causing Sarah to nearly fall out of her chair. “Your father and mother miss you very much.”
Sarah promptly folded her linen napkin and placed it on the table, stood slowly, and excused herself from the room.
***
He could not, would not, stay seated for the duration of Sarah’s performance. The first two songs were enough to convince him she could make angels weep, and even more evident, she could bring an earl to his knees.
Making his way to the back of the room, he left unnoticed, everyone enthralled by her flawless voice. A siren meant to torment him, though he had no real claim on her.
The main room was nearly empty; staff were busy cleaning up. He found a cushioned bench in a corner and sat down, the weight of the world suddenly on his shoulders. Tonight must not be wasted; he would have a private moment with Sarah and convince her to acknowledge him.
To the devil!
Another man should not be holding her hand, touching her in any way.
He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes, taking in the words she sang, the tone of her voice, imagining her pretty features, her dark hair and eyes imprinted on his mind forever.
Could anyone blame him for not extending an offer of marriage to her before? A duchess who climbed trees and ran about like a lad? She would have slid down every banister inside his townhouse to the shock and disapproval of his staff, perhaps even wear pantaloons! Christ in heaven.
The singing stopped, and there was a long moment of silence, and Leonard jumped to his feet. Did they not appreciate her extraordinary talent? He must go to her immediately… After taking only two steps, the room exploded with applause. Miss Sarah, his Lady Sarah, was a success.
Reclaiming his seat, he realized it would be a long wait before the crowd dispersed and gave him a chance to speak with her.
“She is everything we had hoped for.” Lady Whitmore appeared from nowhere.
He looked up, her rose-colored gown and matching feathers in her hair complemented her exceedingly well. “Your musicale is a success.”
“It is not for me, Your Grace. This was for the artists and Sarah to showcase their talents. I am a means to an end, nothing more.”
“You are a savior to these young ladies, believe me.”
“Do you need saving, Your Grace?”
She seemed suddenly serious.
“I am blessed with good health and a joyous life, Lady Whitmore.”
“But have not found love yet.”
“There was a time…”
She nodded in understanding and sat beside him. “It is my duty to know things.”
“What kind of things?” Another mystery about this fascinating woman.
“Secrets, connections, and perhaps even regrets of the women who live with me.”
“And the men who visit?”
Her eyes lit up. “Ah, yes, that, too.”
“You are not going to blackmail me, are you, Lady Whitmore?”
She chuckled so deeply, he could not help but smile.
“Of course not. Have you done something so bad that one could attempt to?”
“Not that I recall.”
She rolled her eyes and touched his hand. “You are part rogue, I believe.”
“I am a gentleman through and through.”
“I believe you,” she said. “But now let us discuss Miss Sarah.”
“I would rather not.”
“Why? Because you are smitten with her?”
He turned to her, unable to deny anything. “If you are such a mistress of knowledge—secrets…”
“Then I should know that you have a prior acquaintance with Miss Sarah and know exactly who she is?”
If Lady Whitmore was trying to impress him, she had. “Yes.”
“Why did you not reveal this to anyone?” she asked.
“What purpose would that have served? If she wishes to remain anonymous, there must be good reason. Though I intend on finding that out tonight.”
“That is fair enough,” she said. “But I warn you, she is inexperienced and deeply wounded by past events.”
“What events?”
She shook her head. “It is not my place to say. But out of respect and affection for you, I wanted to give you that bit of information. What she thinks she wants is not what she really needs.”
Leonard would not press her for more information. Though to his vast irritation, he had a rival now, one he rather liked before tonight.
“Do not worry about the Earl of Trenton.”
“Madame?”
“After everything we’ve discussed tonight, you would try and deny you are jealous he sat with her at dinner?”
Leonard stood and grinned down at her. “You are a spitfire, Lady Whitmore, one to be feared.”
She rose, amused by his compliment. “You and Miss Sarah are long overdue for a reunion. I wish you luck.”
***
Finally, after three hours of waiting, the last of the crowd filtered out of the assembly rooms, leaving Sarah with her teacher. The doors to the room were open, and Leonard could hear them talking.
“You were magnificent, Sarah,” Signor Arcadi said. “This is only the beginning of your career—I am prepared to travel with you across Europe, where you will become famous, possibly sing for kings and queens.”
“I-I am humbled by your praise, Signor Arcadi,” Sarah stuttered. “But I have never intended to seek fame or leave England.”
“No?” The teacher’s voice went up and octave, anger seeping into his tone. “Then why have I wasted a year of my life? To teach a little girl how to sing in drawing rooms for the most passionless audiences I have ever seen?”
“Are you accusing the British of being passionless, sir? I assure you, you could not be more wrong.”
“Hush!” he said. “What do you know of such things? You are an innocent.”
“I am not unfamiliar with what you refer to. And to my knowledge, Lady Whitmore has paid you handsomely for your services.”
“The lady is generous to a fault,” Arcadi said. “Though I have nothing bad to say about her, I am ready to leave this village. Come with me, Sarah, if not as my protégée, then as my…”
The Duke of Vexen leaned against the door frame and shook his head admonishingly. “Do not think to finish the thought, sir,” he warned.
Arcadi glanced at Leonard, his mouth twisting into a scowl. “Is that a threat, Duke of Vexation?”
Leonard let out a sarcastic laugh, stepping into the space. Arcadi was using his position of trust to take advantage of Sarah, though she had done a fine job of defending herself and her country.
“Is that the best you have, Arcadi? My Eton brothers exhausted that name upon completion of my first year of school.”
Arcadi’s cheeks turned red as he stared at Sarah. “Secret lovers? Is that the reason for your rejection of my proposal?”
The duke suddenly didn’t like the man and surged forward, grabbing a handful of his collar. “Perhaps men speak to women that way in Italy, but here, we refrain from such talk when a lady is present.” He dragged the teacher from the music room and to the entryway of the assembly rooms. “If you require an escort home, I will be happy to accommodate you.”