Page 39 of Healing the Duke's Desires
“It really was.” He nodded, looking in the direction behind the stage to catch a glimpse of Emily, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“My playing does not sound nearly as emotional as hers,” Rose said a little sadly. This time, he turned to her to reply, taking her hand into his.
“Emily played from the heart.” He pointed out something crucial, which made his own heart keep readjusting itself in the place it was once so comfortable and numb. “Music becomes beautiful when it awakens something deep not only in those who play, but also those who listen.”
“Did it awaken something inside of you?” Rose asked, and he couldn’t help but wonder whether she knew something, something he had been so desperate to hide.
“Of course it did.” He smiled, avoiding the obvious answer. “I think she managed to awaken something beautiful in all of us, just like you will manage to do, my dear.”
“Oh, I certainly hope so.” She smiled back, clearly grateful for the reassurance.
At that moment, the crowd was once again silent as the next performance was about to commence, and the elegant chamber blossomed with a renewed energy.
The melodies followed one after the other, but none managed to capture the audience in the same manner as Emily had. Alexander felt a restless unease take hold of him. The melodies, expected to be a comfortable backdrop, now seemed to swell the conflict inside of him. He kept looking around him, searching for her.
His heart quickened when he caught sight of her seated behind him, with her family. She wasn’t looking in his direction but rather somewhere in front of her, almost in a conscious, purposeful effort to avoid his gaze. He knew she had seen him. They had exchanged a meaningful glance during her performance. Still, he could feel her apprehension.
He could see it in the way her shoulders were slumped forward, in an effort to make herself appear as small as possible. But unexpectedly, she smiled at him and he returned her smile. That was all it took for her to enchant everyone in the chamber with her music, and he was desperate to tell her how wonderful she was.
There would be several more performances, including Rose’s, and he needed to be patient. His moment would come. The only question was whether he would be wise enough to seize it.
As it turned out, Rose was the final performer, and Alexander could tell that she had outdone herself. There was a slight tremble in her fingers due to nerves, but she played beautifully, which was proven by the applause she had received. Afterwards, everyone was invited to partake in the refreshments and exchange thoughts on both the music as well as the performers.
“My dear, you were beyond wonderful!” the dowager duchess gushed, her eyes sparkling as she gazed lovingly at her daughter when she and Alexander approached a still slightly blushing and startled Rose.
“Was I truly?” Rose asked, giving him a hopeful glance. It was still sometimes shocking to him how delicate she was, how much in need of someone to love her and protect her. He vowed that he would give her hand in marriage only to a man who would recognize her for the treasure that she was and who would know how to cherish her.
“You truly were.” Alexander nodded, leaning over to her to kiss her on the cheek, which felt scorching hot under his lips. “You deserve a treat.”
“A treat?” Rose’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean…”
He nodded with a gentle smile. “One cordial of your choice.”
“Raspberry!” Rose knew immediately what she wanted, which made both her mother and Alexander chuckle. For a moment, he had forgotten all about his turmoil, but the next, it returned with a vengeance.
“Why don’t you and your mother go and see what there is?” he suggested, gesturing at the refreshments table, which was filled with all sorts of drinks and foods. “Maybe there’s something you like better than raspberry cordial.”
“Never!” Rose replied theatrically, which made all three of them laugh again.
“Come, dear.” The dowager duchess seemed to sense that Alexander was on a mission, sending them off like that, but she didn’t say anything. He was grateful for that as he watched them leave. Then he looked around.
He needed to find Emily. The desire to speak to her was greater than anything he had ever felt before, and that yearning was drawing him to her like a moth to a flame, dangerous and deadly. He had no idea what he would tell her, but he would cross that bridge when he got to it.
Chapter 23
It was all a bit too much for Emily. With everyone wanting to tell her how wonderfully she’d played, how marvelously she’d managed to evoke deep emotions in everyone present, it was difficult to steal a moment to herself.
“You were so wonderful, my dear! Such passion! Such musicality! Such skill!”
She heard those words over and over again, and while Emily was far from ungrateful at being showered with so many compliments, it was still too much for her delicate state of mind. Finally, she managed to seize the moment and sneak out of the chamber while no one was speaking directly to her, and her mother was busy discussing her daughter’s musical prowess with other ladies.
The sound of music and laughter was becoming more and more distant, echoing down the halls, a reminder of the lively party that she had left behind for these solitary corridors. Her silk gown rustled with each deliberate step, as the fabric brushed against the marble floor. Everywhere around her, the air was perfumed with the scent of roses and beeswax.
Occasionally, she would pass by couples and small groups who were headed in the opposite direction, back to the commotion she wanted to leave behind. Her heart yearned for a quiet, solitary space where she could gather her thoughts, away from the eyes and smiles that were an inevitable part of any gathering.
Spotting an ornate door slightly ajar, her curiosity was piqued. The soft golden light spilling from within hinted at the promise of an unoccupied chamber. She hesitated for a moment, her gloved hand resting lightly on the doorknob. A rebellious excitement surged within her. With a swift, careful movement, she pushed the door open wider and slipped into the room.
Inside, the atmosphere was different from the bustling ballroom. The air was still, save for the occasional fluttering of draperies stirred by a gentle breeze that wafted in through an open window. Moonlight spilled through the glass, casting a silvery glow over the room’s elegant furnishings. A chaise lounge sat against one wall, inviting in its plushness. Here, she would sit down a little and—
