Huntington and the companion close behind. Later, the women retired to the drawing room while the men finished their port and pursued such topics as occupied men at the end of a meal. The marchioness was all that was proper and polite in speaking with her companions, but she quite obviously was less than fully comfortable. She became increasingly impatient for the return of the gentlemen, glancing often at the door through which they would come. When the men did rejoin them, Gabrielle affected surprise that they were so prompt.
As the men took their seats, Huntington turned to the marchioness. “My lady, may we prevail upon you for some music this evening?” he asked.
“I should love to play for you dear gentlemen.” She fairly simpered. “But my daughter tells me that Miss Palmer plays exceptionally well, and I think we should hear for ourselves.”
Elinor was taken aback, for she had not played for the adults in this household. She glanced at the marquis who regarded her with an enigmatic expression. Did he think her out of her element with such a demand? And why was Gabrielle so willing to give up the opportunity to show off her feminine accomplishments? Did she think to show up an impertinent nobody with her own performance later?
“Well, then, Miss Palmer?” Huntington seemed a bit uncertain, but apparently saw no alternative.
“If it is the general wish, of course,” she said, acceding to the situation. She rose and seated herself at the pianoforte.
“The music is under the seat, Miss Palmer,” Gabrielle called.
“Thank you, my lady, but I think I shall not need it.”
She saw Trenville’s eyebrows rise at this. Huntington’s concern that she would embarrass herself was writ plain on his face. Gabrielle exhibited one of her expressive little Gallic shrugs and exchanged a glance with Madame Giroux.
Elinor paused for a moment, thinking what to play. The instrument was placed at an angle in the room that allowed her to see her audience clearly. They waited expectantly.
“Ah. This one seems appropriate for the season,” she said and set her fingers to the keys. As soon as the first chords were struck, any sense of nervousness or apprehension left her and she gave herself up to the music.
Huntington looked at his companions questioningly.
Trenville nodded after a few bars and said, “Of course. Vivaldi’s ‘Autumn.’ Good choice, Miss Palmer.”
She was pleased to see him clearly settle himself to enjoying her presentation. Gabrielle chose to engage the captain in conversation, occasionally drawing Huntington’s attention also. When she finished the piece, Trenville applauded enthusiastically and the others politely echoed his praise.
“Do give us another, Miss Palmer,” Huntington said.
“Something lighter this time,” Gabrielle suggested.
Feeling thoroughly at ease now, Elinor said, “All right. Here is a medley of some of my brother’s favorites.” She proceeded to play several popular Scottish airs, skillfully blending one tune into the next.
Gabrielle had rung for tea before Elinor finished playing, and now as the tray was brought in, Trenville rose to return the governess to her seat.
“Thank you, Miss Palmer. I had no idea we were graced with such talent in our midst. You must play for us again.”
“By all means,” Gabrielle said graciously. “I vow I shall be too embarrassed ever to play again.” She gave a light laugh as though to show she was not serious in this “vow.”
“I am sure the lady exaggerates,” Olmstead said politely.
They each savored the tea and thereafter the group broke up, with the captain having to return to his lodgings. When his horse was brought around, Adrian showed him to the door, the two men murmuring together for a few minutes.
“Does this newfound friendship with the excise man have anything to do with your plans regarding the locals in smuggling?” Huntington asked as Adrian returned to the drawing room.
“Not necessarily,”
As the men took their seats, Huntington turned to the marchioness. “My lady, may we prevail upon you for some music this evening?” he asked.
“I should love to play for you dear gentlemen.” She fairly simpered. “But my daughter tells me that Miss Palmer plays exceptionally well, and I think we should hear for ourselves.”
Elinor was taken aback, for she had not played for the adults in this household. She glanced at the marquis who regarded her with an enigmatic expression. Did he think her out of her element with such a demand? And why was Gabrielle so willing to give up the opportunity to show off her feminine accomplishments? Did she think to show up an impertinent nobody with her own performance later?
“Well, then, Miss Palmer?” Huntington seemed a bit uncertain, but apparently saw no alternative.
“If it is the general wish, of course,” she said, acceding to the situation. She rose and seated herself at the pianoforte.
“The music is under the seat, Miss Palmer,” Gabrielle called.
“Thank you, my lady, but I think I shall not need it.”
She saw Trenville’s eyebrows rise at this. Huntington’s concern that she would embarrass herself was writ plain on his face. Gabrielle exhibited one of her expressive little Gallic shrugs and exchanged a glance with Madame Giroux.
Elinor paused for a moment, thinking what to play. The instrument was placed at an angle in the room that allowed her to see her audience clearly. They waited expectantly.
“Ah. This one seems appropriate for the season,” she said and set her fingers to the keys. As soon as the first chords were struck, any sense of nervousness or apprehension left her and she gave herself up to the music.
Huntington looked at his companions questioningly.
Trenville nodded after a few bars and said, “Of course. Vivaldi’s ‘Autumn.’ Good choice, Miss Palmer.”
She was pleased to see him clearly settle himself to enjoying her presentation. Gabrielle chose to engage the captain in conversation, occasionally drawing Huntington’s attention also. When she finished the piece, Trenville applauded enthusiastically and the others politely echoed his praise.
“Do give us another, Miss Palmer,” Huntington said.
“Something lighter this time,” Gabrielle suggested.
Feeling thoroughly at ease now, Elinor said, “All right. Here is a medley of some of my brother’s favorites.” She proceeded to play several popular Scottish airs, skillfully blending one tune into the next.
Gabrielle had rung for tea before Elinor finished playing, and now as the tray was brought in, Trenville rose to return the governess to her seat.
“Thank you, Miss Palmer. I had no idea we were graced with such talent in our midst. You must play for us again.”
“By all means,” Gabrielle said graciously. “I vow I shall be too embarrassed ever to play again.” She gave a light laugh as though to show she was not serious in this “vow.”
“I am sure the lady exaggerates,” Olmstead said politely.
They each savored the tea and thereafter the group broke up, with the captain having to return to his lodgings. When his horse was brought around, Adrian showed him to the door, the two men murmuring together for a few minutes.
“Does this newfound friendship with the excise man have anything to do with your plans regarding the locals in smuggling?” Huntington asked as Adrian returned to the drawing room.
“Not necessarily,”
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