A Dangerous Melody by Jane Wetherby

Author:Jane Wetherby [Wetherby, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2020-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

9

We climbed the stairs to the first floor, my heart in my throat. Who were these people that had come to call upon Mr. Thorne? And why were they asking me to join them?

I felt a small hand close around my own as we reached the landing. I glanced down to see Miss Elizabeth walking along beside me, her hand in mine.

“Do not be afraid, Miss Honeyfield,” she said with a smile. “I shall stay with you so you do not feel alone.”

I squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. That makes me feel much better already.”

Mr. Thorne was speaking with Mr. Gibbs, too far ahead for me to hear clearly what they spoke of. Miss Elizabeth seemed all too happy to walk along with me. Perhaps that walk out of doors was all she needed to put her in a brighter mood.

We made it to the drawing room, and Mr. Thorne stepped inside just after Mr. Gibbs. I heard Mr. Gibbs announce Mr. Thorne’s arrival.

“And Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Gibbs as Miss Elizabeth entered the room.

I stepped up to the door, and Mr. Gibbs smiled at me. “And Miss Honeyfield.”

I don’t believe I was ever formally announced to a room, especially not so soon after the master of the house or his daughter.

I was just about to curtsey when my eyes fell on the couple who were already in the room.

“Lady Hayward,” I said, my eyes growing wide.

Aunt Patience smiled up at me from the armchair she sat in, and her husband, my Uncle Charles, nodded at me from behind the chair.

“Oh, there is my dear,” Aunt Patience said, holding out her hand to me. “It is so wonderful to see your face again.”

I was stunned to silence.

“Miss Honeyfield, you know Lady Hayward?” Miss Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, my dear. She is Miss Honeyfield’s aunt,” Mr. Thorne said.

Miss Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “I had no idea.”

“Sir Hayward, I am honored to receive you, especially on such a lovely day,” Mr. Thorne said with a bow. “What can a humble man like me do for you?”

“Well, we made a promise to my wife’s dear sister’s husband that we would go see his eldest daughter and ensure she was well,” Sir Hayward said with a smile in my direction. “We have received all of her letters, and it has given Lady Hayward much joy to hear about all that she and Miss Brown have been doing.”

“Yes, poor Miss Brown is feeling quite under the weather this morning, or I would introduce you,” Mt. Thorne said. “Though I can say with certainty that Miss Honeyfield has been paramount in my daughter’s education and happiness.”

“Well, isn’t that wonderful to hear?” Aunt Patience said with a glint in her eye.

I imagined she was quite pleased to hear that the arrangements she had made for me were working out as well as they were. I could tell from the way she glanced back and forth between Mr. Thorne and me.

“Miss Elizabeth, why don’t you tell Lady Hayward how much you are enjoying your music lessons?” Mr.

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