Page 13 of From Rakes to Riches

The piece finished. Guy lifted his hands from the keys, rose, and bowed, then lifted Gemma to her feet, presenting her. She curtsied, taking her cue from his playfulness.

“Bravo,” Sonia cried. “And brava.”

Guy made an exaggerated bow to Gemma and then raised her hand to his lips. He couldn’t resist actually touching a kiss to her fingers, loving the softness of them.

To kiss the rest of her, she stretched out next to him, candlelight licking her skin …

Guy released her before he did anything foolish, such as drag her to him and kiss her in front of everyone.

Sonia finished her applause. “Another. Please.”

“No, no,” Gemma said breathlessly. “I must not afflict you all with more of my unskilled playing.”

“Nonsense.” Sonia was queen in this room, and she knew it. “It is delightful. Lord Guy, you and Stepmama must play again.”

The other ladies and the young gentlemen—Sonia’s adoring courtiers—joined in the plea. Gemma gave them a bashful shrug. “Very well. But Lord Guy must choose a simple piece.”

Lord Guy was already leafing through the piles of music, delighted that he found several more duets. A few were for two pianofortes, but they could make do with one. They’d have to sit very close, and sometimes their hands would cross …

“I have it.” Guy waved the sheets and spread them out across the music stand.

As Gemma seated herself, Guy holding the back of her chair, he noticed Sonia’s fleeting but sly smile. Little minx. Had she noted the spark that had jumped in Guy at Gemma’s closeness?

They began the music, this time Gemma leading off and Guy joining in.

Guy couldn’t help himself. He knew how to entice a lady without words, and he began to make the subtle signals of a man wanting a woman.

He’d just miss Gemma’s breasts when he reached a hand to grab a high note, or send her sidelong glances, a smile here, a smile there.

Come with me, my lady, and we shall make lovely music together.

Gemma did not respond as expected. No arch looks or answering smiles, no slight nods to show she understood. Instead, she flushed in confusion and focused her gaze determinedly on the music.

Guy tried to restrain himself, but it was difficult. Gemma was delectable. Her understated blue gown, with the satin sash just below her breasts, was elegant and refined, and the silver earrings she’d donned jingled softly when she moved her head.

Guy found himself wondering how the earrings would taste.

He hit a wrong note, and Gemma sent him a surprised glance. Flushing, Guy forced his attention back to the music.

They finished with no more mishaps and without Guy leaping at Gemma and taking her to the floor. The sensation of her lips on his haunted him, and he wanted more than anything to kiss her again.

Sonia applauded enthusiastically, and Aunt Margot rose. “Excellent, my dears. Sonia, perhaps you can accompany Gemma on the harp. Sonia plays an excellent harp.”

Aunt Margot regarded the company genially. Whatever any present truly thought of harp music, they all agreed that listening to Sonia play along with Gemma would be the crowning moment of the afternoon.

Guy relinquished his place, finding a chair among the gentlemen as Sonia settled herself on the harp stool.

They began a simple piece, Gemma playing softly to not drown out the quiet plucking of the harp. The younger gentlemen stared hungrily at Sonia’s plump elbows while Slater and Lord Steven ogled Gemma. Guy would have to do something about their lascivious attentions.

After Sonia finished—to tumultuous applause—Aunt Margot made subtle but understandable hints that the time for calls was over. A gentleman must stay in a lady’s home only a certain amount of time, lest any claim his attentions to the young lady were inappropriate.

Lord Steven and Slater tried to linger—they had no interest in Sonia and apparently no worry that her reputation might be smeared by their presence. Guy firmly escorted them to the front door.

That meant that Guy had to leave as well. He herded the grumbling Slater and Lord Steven outside and turned to bow to the ladies of the house who had gathered near the drawing room’s open double doors.

“Thank you for accompanying me, Mrs. Cooke. You are a captivating pianist.”

Gemma flashed him her heart-melting smile. “If you change your words toindifferentpianist, then I will believe you.”

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