Page 41 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
The duke’s smile took the edge off her fear, allowing her to nod and turn around. Juliana stared at the pianoforte for a good minute before she put her hands to the keys and played another piece of music.
This one was light-hearted but different from the first one. A song bubbled out of Juliana’s mouth, surprising her. She had the ability to sing, a startling revelation that quickly provided her with a sense of joy and wonder.
Closing her eyes, she gave in to the beauty of the music and her voice, letting memory lead her where it wished her to go. She faltered only slightly when she felt a presence sit down beside her. Juliana knew it was the duke before she even opened her eyes, but she looked anyway.
He inclined his head once and put his fingers to the instrument, following her lead. The music piece sounded even better, and when the duke opened his mouth and joined her in singing, it seemed like the heavens themselves had opened and were encouraging their duet.
The room about them also appeared brighter and lighter, and the air was alive with music.
Juliana sensed the ending coming and didn’t welcome it, but it would be ridiculous for her to prolong it. Instead of succumbing to disappointment, she put everything into delivering the final part with flourish, breathing hard when her fingers finally came to a standstill.
She and the duke looked at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing. Juliana had no idea why they were laughing, but it was lovely to hear the sincerity in his voice and the youthfulness that the laughter brought to his eyes.
Juliana felt something shift within her, a tugging of sorts that pulled her towards the man beside her. The sensation was so abrupt and powerful that her laughter died away, and a frown settled in its place. The duke’s laughter trailed away, until he too, frowned at her. He stood up, walking several steps away before he stopped.
“My apologies if I have overstepped,” he said, discomfort and embarrassment written all over his face.
“Oh no, Your Grace!” Juliana protested, rising to her feet. ’Tis I who should be embarrassed. I have used your pianoforte without permission. Moreover, a servant should never deem themselves so worthy as to take such liberties.”
“No, no, do not apologise, Isabella. I ... I must go.”
The duke spun away, his coat flapping behind him. Juliana thought to call him back, but what on earth would she say to him?
I have made a fool of myself! I do not know how I will look the duke in the eyes from this moment on.
Sighing, Juliana returned to shifting the furniture. She had wasted enough time already and did not wish Kitty to be scolded for a job half done.
“You!” a woman yelled.
Juliana inwardly groaned. She would know that voice even in the depths of hades. She turned to the lady of the house, curtsying before her.
“Good day, My Lady.”
“What did you do to my brother?” the woman demanded, marching into the room.
“My Lady?”
Lady Stratford’s eyes narrowed. “Do not pretend to not know what I am talking about, you wicked woman. My brother looked much disturbed when he passed me. He did not so much as look at me!”
Juliana’s eyes widened. What on earth had she done?
“Will you attempt to plead innocence with me?” the woman demanded.
“I can only plead innocence until I know what I have done, My Lady.”
Juliana didn’t know what to say, but what she had spoken seemed to further anger the woman. Too much had happened in the last twenty minutes for her to have a good grasp on the situation, but that likely would not matter to the duke’s sister.
“You were the one playing the pianoforte with my brother, and do not bother to deny it,” said Lady Stratford. “How did you convince my poor brother to play it?”
“I didn’t, My Lady. His Grace sat down beside me and—”
“Impudent woman!” the woman hissed. “My brother would never play the pianoforte unless something had happened to compel him to do so. Do you not understand that it hurts him to play it?”
It hurt him? Goodness! I had no way of knowing such a thing.
“Forgive me, My Lady. I would have never put the duke through any distress for all the world.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Oh, you jezebel type of women! My friends have warned me that women like you prowl around wealthy gentlemen and strike when the perfect occasion arises. Are you a courtesan?”
