Page 8 of Lady and the Scamp

“The men of the Geological Society threatened by a woman who digs up rocks in Lyme Regis?” the duchess laughed. “How utterly ridiculous. And now I must turn the conversation to something other than rocks. Shall we discuss the theater?”

The older lady went on with her opinions on various plays and operas now on stage, but Will wasn’t listening. Lady Averley had glanced back at him and smiled. His comments had been his true thoughts, not just statements to win her approval, but it appeared his opinions had pleased her. Finally, a step in the right direction.

And now to plan his next step.

IN THE AFTERNOONS,the queen often spent time with her children and the prince in the nursery. This meant the ladies-in-waiting were not wanted, and Emily had an hour or so to herself. The Duchess of Charlemont napped, while several of the other ladies, including Lady Jocelyn, sat in the sunny parlor and chatted whilst embroidering pillows or cushions.

Emily wanted to be as far from the other ladies in the afternoons as possible. While the queen spent time with her children, the other ladies were reminded of their own children and talked of them incessantly. Emily was the only lady without a child.

Without a living child, that was.

She had given birth to a child, but the baby was born too early and had died. She and Jack hadn’t conceived again. Emily knew the other women did not mean to bring her fresh pain with their chatter, but their talk of children when she had nothing to add only made her loss more apparent.

Emily liked to steal away to the music room to play at the piano. The queen owned an Erard Grand Piano, the instrument preferred by Liszt and Mendelssohn and known for consistency in touch and sound. When the Prince’s brother Ernest was in Town, he often joined Emily, and they would play a duet. But she was alone this day, and after warming up with a number of scales, she played through a few of her favorites by Mozart and Handel. She had been learning a piece by Mendelssohn, who was one of the queen’s favorite composers, and she took it out now and played slowly through the first two pages before coming to a new section. She studied it, then, feeling a pair of eyes upon her, turned to see Mr. Galloway leaning against the door behind her.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he said, lifting one corner of his full mouth.

“I hadn’t realized I had an audience,” she said, turning to face him. The sight of him caused a strange tightness in her chest.

“I heard you playing Mozart and came to listen. And then I was admiring your industriousness. What is it you are learning?” He moved closer, and she turned back to the sheet music. Maddeningly, her cheeks had heated, and she felt warm all over in his presence.

“It’s a piece by Mendelssohn.”

“I see. I don’t know his work. I confess I only recognize a few pieces by Mozart and some by Beethoven. I’m not as musically literate as I should be.”

“Too much time running about on the beach,” she observed. She hoped her curt words would encourage him to leave. He’d shown a bit of promise at dinner the other night, but she feared, now that they were alone, he would try and seduce her again.

“Actually,” he said, sitting beside her on the piano bench, “I was always a very studious child.” Lady Averley was forced to slide over to make room. She grew warmer and wished she could fan herself. “I took my Greek and Latin quite seriously. I had amusic tutor, but while my sister became proficient, my parents quite despaired of my efforts. I assure you my lackluster skills are not for lack of trying.”

His voice held a note of sadness, and she almost felt sorry for him. “Surely you have other skills,” she said, trying to buoy his feelings.

“I do.” He ran his fingers over the keys, playing a quiet, easy melody. “But it was one of the first times I realized there were limits to what I could accomplish. Up until that point, I had thought I could do anything.”

Her cheeks cooled and she stopped trying to think of ways to escape him. “That’s because you are a man. No woman is ever raised believing she can do anything. Limitations are a part of life.”

“And I’m sorry for that,” he said, “though you certainly are not lacking in your musical skills. I should leave you to it.” He rose, and Emily, who had been certain she would have to fend off an advance from him, was surprised that she missed the warmth of him beside her.

He stopped at the doorway to the room and looked back at her, as though just thinking of something. “My lady, our discussion of fossils at dinner last evening has given me an idea. The prince mentioned that there are several fossils at the British Museum. I had thought to go see them tomorrow. Would you be interested in accompanying me?”

Emily was so surprised at the invitation that one of her fingers plunked down on two keys, making a discordant sound. She had told herself that she did not want to spend any more time with Mr. Galloway than was necessary. And yet, she did want to go to the museum and see the fossils. She had always wanted to see the collection but had never been able to interest Jack or any of her acquaintances.

“I should not have asked you so indelicately,” Galloway apologized. “You do not have to give me your answer immediately.”

Emily blinked at him in surprise. Had she misjudged him? She had thought he was a flirt and perhaps a rake. But now he was treating her with every politeness.

“I will have to ask the queen if she can spare me,” Emily said.

“I understand. It was simply a suggestion. If you are able to accompany me, do send me word.” He bowed and left her alone. Emily sat for a few minutes, sure he would return and make some effort to speak to her further, but no one came. She tried to go back to her Mendelssohn, but her thoughts were too scattered now.

She had been to the British Museum before, of course, but always in the company of others, who had either not been prone to lingering or who had interests different from hers. She’d never been able to take any time to look at the fossil collection. Now Galloway gave her that opportunity. But if she agreed, would he make assumptions? Would he assume she wanted his attention or was interested in him romantically?

Emily rose, crossed to the window, and looked out on the grounds of the palace. The queen often remarked that the palace was a beautiful cage. Emily had not understood before. After Jack had died, she’d seen the palace as a refuge. This was a place she could come to escape the memories of Jack in every corner of the home they had made together.

But now she saw that she had imprisoned herself. She’d used her position here to lock herself away, and unlike the queen, she did not have to remain behind these walls. She could go out and explore London. Jack had taken her to a few of his favorite places, and of course, she had been out with the queen, but why not visit something she had an interest in?

If Galloway thought that meant he could take liberties, well, she could handle a man. She was a one and thirty, not a child.

Now she just needed the courage to accept his invitation.

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