Page 32 of A Kiss from the Marquess

Lady Havenby and the Countess of Marbury rose from their seats as well. “What are the three of you whispering about?” Lady Havenby asked, always wanting to be a part of what was said.

“They are being ill-mannered, my lady.” Lena sent a teasing look at Norah and Ella. “Ignore them, please.”

“Leo has remarked several times about how talented the three of you are,” Lady Marbury said as she drew closer. “I hope someday I have the pleasure of hearing you perform.”

“He is being too kind,” Ella replied. “We enjoy playing, but I think we all agree that we wouldn’t be comfortable performing for an audience like this.”

“Surely you wouldn’t mind playing for me since we will soon be family.” The countess raised a brow as if daring Ella to disagree. “I shall invite all of you to dinner soon and request that you play afterward.”

Norah watched as Ella’s cheeks turned pink, well aware of how much Ella wanted her soon-to-be mother-in-law to like her. Ella held Norah’s gaze with concern in her eyes. How could they refuse the countess?

“We would be honored to play.” Norah looked at Lena for support.

“Absolutely.” Lena nodded. “Performing for family and friends is truly a pleasure.”

From Ella’s tight expression, Norah knew her sister was less than pleased. But Norah didn’t see how they could escape the request.

“Perfect. I look forward to it.” Lady Marbury led the way toward the aisle with Lady Havenby directly behind her.

“Norah, why would you agree to playing for her?” Ella asked in a hushed tone once the older ladies were out of hearing.

“What else would you have had me say?” Norah asked.

“The countess is well known for her fondness of music,” Ella whispered. “I have no doubt I will fall short of her expectations.”

“Nonsense.” Norah didn’t understand what had gotten into Ella. “You are excellent on the piano.”

Lena’s frown made it clear she agreed with Norah. Ella was being ridiculous.

“Not compared to what she’s used to hearing,” Ella argued. “I don’t need another reason for her not to like me.”

Norah lifted her gaze to the sky as she tried to gather her patience. While the countess had little reason to like them since the lady had married the late earl after he’d been jilted by their mother, Lady Bethany, the countess seemed to have moved past that. She had shown her support on numerous occasions in public and private. What more did Ella need to see that the countess did, indeed, like her?

Norah followed the older ladies, leaving Lena and Ella to continue the whispered conversation without her. Concerns like this were another reason Norah wasn’t in a rush to marry. She didn’t want to worry herself with complicated family issues any more than the ones she already had. Marrying a man meant marrying his family, as well. In her experience, family relationships were complicated and often fraught with emotions from the past.

“Norah, has there been any word on the stolen coin?” Lady Marbury asked when she joined them in the aisle.

“Unfortunately, no.” Norah frowned as she considered what she should do about the lack of information. “I intend to visit with Vanbridge again soon to see if he’s received any news.”

“So terrible,” the countess said. “First the journal and now the coin. What are the odds?”

It didn’t escape Norah’s notice that the lady avoided any mention of David Wright and Lady Bethany. She might have released her resentment of the Wright sisters, but that didn’t mean she was willing to speak of their parents. Perhaps Ella was right to still hold concern and tread carefully around the countess.

According to Leo, his father had married but remained in love with Lady Bethany rather than his own wife. His lovesick behavior had made the lives of both his wife and child miserable from what Leo had told Ella.

During her childhood, Norah had been an unwilling witness to more than one of her parents’ arguments about remaining on Oak Island. After her mother’s passing, their father had at times been focused solely on his daughters and, other times, focused solely on digging for treasure. Rarely had it been a happy balance.

Norah was ashamed to admit that she’d resented both extremes. Then had come the final day when her frustration had erupted, and she stated her feelings to her father. She’d said terrible things when he’d denied her request to spend time with a friend and her family in Montreal. The memory of those moments cast a hot, sick feeling of remorse and regret throughout her entire being. If only she’d held her thoughts to herself.

Norah was weary of those sorts of complications. She wanted to enjoy her time rather than take on a new battle. Somehow, when it came to family relationships, it was always a battle.

Yet it would be impossible to relax and throw herself into the social season until they’d found the coin.

With determination, she turned back to Ella and Lena as they continued to slowly exit the seating area. “I’m going to visit the museum after this and see if there’s any news.”

Ella frowned. “Norah, you cannot continue going there without people talking. Someone will notice. Then there’s the danger to consider.”

“I hardly think I need to worry about running into a thief,” Norah protested.

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