Page 31 of A Marquess to Save Her
“That girl might have many talents but singing is certainly not one of them,” someone that sat behind Louise said.
“To sing with our heart and soul, God save the King.”
Catherine finally finished the ear-splitting performance, and it was greeted with scattered applause.
“Well, Miss Catherine's performance was...” Wessex paused for a while as though he was looking for the right word to qualify the disaster of a performance that Catherine had just given. “... interesting.”
“The next person we would be calling to the stage is Miss Dar…”
At that moment, one of the young men walked to the stage and whispered in Wessex's ears while he nodded.
“I apologize for the momentary break. The next performer for tonight's musicale is Lady Louise,” Wessex said.
“What?” Louise muttered, “I was never notified that I would be performing, I…” Louise said to no one in particular. Louise looked around to see if any other lady bore the same name as her. However, she was met with the audience's dull eyes as they all stared at her. Louise knew then that Wessex was talking about her, and she was, therefore, expected to perform right there and then.
“Louise, what are you waiting for?” Aunt Theodora said.
“Louise, you did not tell me you would be performing today,” her mother said.
“I was not informed beforehand that I would be performing tonight, I have not even prepared anything!” Louise protested.
“The next performer is Lady Louise of the Scranton household,” Wessex clarified.
Louise sighed as her heart thudded. She was not one to be afraid of public performances, as she had given quite a number of them over the years. In fact, thetonknew that she was quite deft with a harp. However, being called to the stage like this when she was not expecting it was quite unnerving to her. Lady Louise swallowed nervously as she got to her feet. She knew she had to perform lest she is known for being afraid of the stage. Even though she was nervous, Louise had a smile on her face as she approached the stage.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Lady Louise,” Wessex said once she got there.
Still smiling, Louise faced the audience. There was silence as everyone stared eagerly at her, waiting for her to start her performance. Louise looked around the stage to see if she would see a harp, but she could not. This was weird because the first two performers had been provided with musical instruments. First, she had been called up on the stage like that without being informed beforehand. And now, she was not being provided with a musical instrument. It was almost like she was being set up for failure and ridicule. She swallowed nervously again as she faced the audience, who was beginning to grow impatient.
“I will be singing “The Soldier's Adieu” by Charles Dibdin,” Louise said. She had picked the song because it was a popular one that she could sing offhand. Even though the song would not be as lovely as if she had been provided with a musical instrument, she still knew she had to try.
“Adieu, adieu my only life,” Louise started, and snickers greeted her from Catherine and Emily. Louise sighed as she continued.
My duty calls me from thee;
Catherine chuckled before she leaned closer to Emily and whispered something in her ear. They both laughed.Is it not ironic that Catherine, who cannot hold a tune, is now making jest of me?Louise looked away from Emily and Catherine as she prepared to continue to sing.
“Wait, wait!” a familiar voice said and Louise turned to see Callum running to the stage beside her.
“My Lord! What are you doing?” Louise whispered to him.
“Lady Louise and I will be rendering a duet. I apologize for getting to the stage late,” Callum said, smiling as though his words were, in fact, true.
“But, My Lord...” Wessex started.
He did not look too happy that Callum was joining her on the stage.
“Thank you very much, Wessex,” Callum said to him, “I am here now to take my place beside Lady Louise for our duet.”
“You still have not told me what you are doing here,” Louise whispered to him, even though she was smiling genuinely.
“Saving you.” Was all he managed to get out before he took his place by her side.
Wessex was not the only one who did not look too pleased to see Callum on the stage with her. Even Catherine and Emily looked like they had just eaten sour food.
“We will be starting “The Soldier's Adieu” all over again,” Callum said.
Their voices melded in perfectly, and Louise could not help but acknowledge how good they sounded together. Callum singing by her side and seeing the upset look on Emily and Catherine's faces gave Louise all the confidence she needed to give her all into the music. The audience hung to every word of their lips, and Louise could tell they enjoyed their rendition. When they finally finished their song, she looked at Callum only to see him already smiling at her. Applause greeted their performance, with some audience members even standing to their feet.
