Page 10 of The Theory of Earls (The Beautiful Barringtons 1)

“Don’t forget the barn cats,” Phaedra interjected. “Do you remember Hermes and Aphrodite?”

“Oh, yes. I still miss Hermes.” Andromeda turned back to her mother. “Theo sends word shemayappear for tea. She’s busy with her miniatures.”

“Then I daresay we won’t see her until dinner this evening, sporting paint under her nails.” The duchess gave a frustrated sigh. “You, Andromeda, are excused from your duties at the piano today,” she announced with a wrinkle of her brow. “Most thankfully.”

“Welcome, Miss Lainscott. It is lovely meeting you,” Andromeda said to Margaret over her shoulder as she skipped out of the conservatory, her elation at not having to play the piano evident. “I’ll return for tea. Cook made those tiny cakes with pink icing I adore.”

The duchess placed a hand on her temple. “I pray daily for patience.”

“Come, Miss Lainscott.” Mrs. Anderson took her hand and pointed to two women, nearly hidden in the corner by a large potted fern, arguing over a page of sheet music.

“Ladies.” Mrs. Anderson clapped her hands with a wry smile. “I’m sure you’re both correct. May I present our pianist for today, Miss Lainscott. Miss Lainscott, I’m pleased to introduce you to Mrs. Mounsey and Mrs. Adams.”

Both women greeted her politely then immediately went back to their discussion.

“It’s not really an argument, you understand,” Mrs. Anderson said. “It is more a difference of opinion. Mrs. Mounsey usually wins.”

Margaret was beside herself with joy. Not only was she in the same room as Lucy Anderson, renowned pianist, but Anne Mounseywas also here. Mrs. Mounsey was a female composer and Mrs. Adams, a soprano.

She had never,ever, been so happy in her entire life and nearly giggled with the joy of being here. When asked to sit at the piano, Margaret sucked in her breath at the gold lettering above the keys that labeled the instrument as a Broadwood and very expensive. Margaret nearly expired on the spot.

The next two hours passed swiftly as the women combined their efforts on several well-known pieces before attempting one of Mrs. Mounsey’s recent compositions. Mrs. Anderson played the Broadwood as Margaret watched in adoration, eagerly awaiting her turn.

Miss Nelson turned out to be a gifted flutist, though Lady Phaedra was far from mastering the violin. While she played with enthusiasm, Margaret had to admit she needed much more practice. When Mrs. Anderson gestured for Margaret to come and sit next to her on the piano bench, she eagerly complied. As Margaret joined Miss Nelson and Phaedra on a simple piece, Mrs. Anderson gently corrected her on her form and technique, making several suggestions. Margaret’s fingers didn’t leave the keys again until the tea cart arrived.

Mrs. Anderson gave her a quick hug and said, “You have a gift, Margaret. Your passion for music is evident in every keystroke. Do not letanyonedeter you from continuing to do what you love.”

Margaret nodded solemnly, her eyes welling with tears. It had been so long since anyone had praised or complimented her for anything.

Except Lord Welles.He had admired my playing.

She ran her hands over the piano, caressing the fine wood with her fingertips. “I daresay anyone would sound like an angel on an instrument such as this.”

Mrs. Anderson frowned. “Surely your aunt possesses a piano?”

“She does,” Margaret assured her. “But nothing so fine. The poor thing is ancient and out of tune. But I do my best.”

Mrs. Anderson stared at her thoughtfully for a moment before saying, “I’m sure you do.”

The butler, Pith, presented the tea cart with a flourish. The tray was piled high with a vast assortment of sandwiches, pastries, honey, and clotted cream in addition to the tea.

The duchess clapped her hands. “Ladies, asymphonyof delights awaits you.”

Mrs. Anderson laughed at her friend’s little joke and made her way to the sofa. Chairs had been arranged around a low table in the center of the room. Dropping the violin, Phaedra raced to the tea cart but slowed down as the duchess tilted her head. The other ladies approached in a much calmer manner.

Margaret had been so focused on the Broadwood and the music filling the room she’d given little thought to anything else. Reluctantly, she left the piano and took a place on the sofa where her stomach proceeded to grumble in hunger at the repast laid before them.

Accepting a cup of tea, Margaret bit into a flaky currant scone, so light it melted in her mouth. Her aunt’s cook was not nearly so skilled at baking. As she savored her treat, Margaret listened in rapt attention to the conversation around her.

The Duchess of Averell, she soon found out, had always been a patron of the arts. Her support of female artists was well known. She and Mrs. Anderson met when the latter had come to teach both the duchess and Andromeda, whom everyone referred to as Romy, the piano.

Mrs. Anderson rolled her eyes at the recollection. “Your Grace was kind enough to end her lessons after a time.”

The duchess burst into laughter. “And itwasa kindness,” she said, eyes twinkling. “I was quite terrible. I believe my husband begged me to stop, promising he would gift me with a large diamond if only I would cease my attempts at playing. His late wife was musically inclined, and I had wished to impress him. My lack of talent, however, does not preclude me from encouraging others.” She nodded in the direction of Phaedra, who was licking frosting off her lip, and Miss Nelson. “Artistic pursuits should be nurtured, no matter what form they take, whether you are male or female. When I learned thatallwomen, no matter their skill, were denied membership in the Royal Society of Musicians, I was outraged. An artist is an artist and should receive the support of their peers, despite their gender. When my dear Lucy informed me the Royal Society of Musicians would deny assistance to a violinist or pianist purely because that person was female, I was outraged.”

“Outraged is a much more polite term for my emotion at the time,” Mrs. Anderson chimed in. “Mrs. Mounsey and myself, along with another friend, decided to form our own society to assist female musicians in need. Her Grace has thrown her support behind us.” She took her friend’s hand. “And we aremostgrateful.”

The duchess blushed at the attention and squeezed Mrs. Anderson’s hand. “You shall always have my support.”

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