Wallflower (Old Maids' Club, Book 1) by Catherine Gayle Page B

the path of his eyes. The younger girl was talking
expressively, using her hands and arms to emphasize her point. She
struck the poor blonde lady in the face, surprising her and
knocking the glass from her hands. Sherry spilled down the front of
the blonde’s gown, and she flushed profusely as Lady Charlotte
dabbed at the mess.
    No, the Hardwicke sisters did not seem
his best options. He thanked Claremont and Leith for the
information, and then made his way over to the group of young
ladies with Miss Leatham. After a round of introductions, Noah
situated himself between her and Miss Phillips.
    “ Lovely weather we’ve had
of late, is it not?” Miss Leatham said. Her voice was airy. Fitting
for her choice of conversational topics.
    “ Yes, quite,” he replied.
“Not a cloud in the sky all day today. If it remains clear
tomorrow, I might like to go for a promenade at Hyde Park.” Noah
left the unasked question hanging in the air. Maybe she would give
him a little encouragement.
    “ Oh. Yes, I suppose you
might. I should hope for rain by the end of the week, though. The
hyacinths in Mother’s garden could do with a touch of
rain.”
    Good gracious, was she truly so
dull-witted that she hadn’t understood his insinuation? Perhaps
he’d try again later. “I’m sure we’ll have rain again before too
long, Miss Leatham. After all, this is England. Which performance
tonight are you most anticipating? I rather enjoy the Beethoven
sonata for pianoforte, myself. And the Haydn is always
enchanting.”
    “ I don’t believe I know
any of the pieces to be performed tonight, my lord. I’m sure I
shall enjoy them all equally well, though.”
    “ Indeed.”
    She neglected to offer another topic
of discussion, and Noah was thankful for the few moments of silence
this afforded. He said a silent prayer of gratitude when Lady
Kirkaldy hurried them all to their seats.
    The sonata was undeniably excellent. A
soprano solo followed, leaving him with chills and goose flesh.
Miss Leatham, however, did not seem to be stirred in the least by
either performance.
    His thoughts kept drifting to how very
different such an evening would be if he were in the company of
Lady Tabitha instead. Music, in general, never failed to capture
her imagination and attention. They had conversed for hours at
length about their favorite performances over the years.
    Sometimes, until Lady Tabitha’s cousin
had left to care for their aunt, Miss Bethanne Shelton would play
the pianoforte in Newcastle’s home for hours. Noah loved coming
upon a group of them surrounding her, all engrossed in the magic
she produced with the touch of her fingers. Raynesford had once
told him that their aunt, Lady Rosaline, had been quite adept at
the keys of the pianoforte as well. That her music had been a link
that somehow united the entire Shelton family.
    Beethoven had always been a particular
favorite of the lovely Miss Shelton’s to play. Noah missed those
moments. He missed them, in particular, at this very moment with a
young lady by his side who seemed disinclined to music at all. He
had to wonder why she’d even come to the musicale if she couldn’t
bother to enjoy herself. But then again, the music had nothing to
do with his reason for attendance, either. He shouldn’t fault her
for that.
    He turned his thoughts back to the
present and watched the performances. After the soprano, a string
quartet performed a rousing piece by Mozart, which was followed by
a brief intermission.
    “ Oh, I see my dearest
friend over there,” Miss Leatham said after Noah had fetched her a
glass of lemonade. “If you’ll please excuse me.”
    “ Of course.” He couldn’t
be more thankful to be finished with her company. Besides, Miss
Jennings had arrived not long before the musicale had begun.
Perhaps he ought to try his hand with her. Surely she would be more
engaging than Miss Leatham.
    He situated himself amidst her group
and gained his introduction. Then he did his best to