Mistress of Melody by Anthea Lawson

Author:Anthea Lawson [Lawson, Anthea]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: historical romance, victorian history, music violin, Queen Victoria, happily ever after
Publisher: Fiddlehead Press
Published: 2014-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

“You may remain at Trevethwick House,” he said. “For a few days more.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

That afternoon, the maid—whom Jessa had learned was named Betts—came and knocked on their door to summon them to tea in the parlor.

“Doesn’t the earl have guests at the moment?” Jessa asked.

She had spent well over an hour staring out the window, trying desperately to think of a solution, to no avail. During that time, two carriages had arrived. One with the Dearborn crest, which disgorged two fashionably dressed ladies, and another plain black one that left a blond gentleman on the doorstep.

“Yes,” Betts said. “Lady Dearborn and Lady Anne are here, and milord’s cousin.”

“Then it’s not necessary for us to attend,” Jessa said, her stomach knotting at the thought. “We are hardly the kind to take tea with the lords and ladies.”

Louisa set down her sketchpad, which showed an awkward drawing of a horse. “Please, Jessa? I am famished.”

“Lady Agatha expressly told me your presence is desired,” the maid said.

“Will there be cakes?” Louisa asked.

“Cakes, and scones with cream, and sandwiches,” Betts said. “It’s a lovely tea, if I might say so.”

Jessa frowned at the girl, but the maid only gave her an impish grin.

“We must go.” Louisa turned to Jessa, her hands clasped. “It sounds delicious. And Lady Agatha said we were to come.”

“I’ll help you freshen up.” Betts went to the dresser and fetched the silver-backed hairbrush that had belonged to their mother, then began fixing Louisa’s hair.

Jessa let out a long breath. Surely the earl did not wish them to come to tea. He favored propriety above all things—and seating the Gypsy Violinist and her odd sister across from some of the most fashionable ladies of the ton was courting social disaster.

But his aunt had insisted.

At least she and Louisa had gowns that would do—though for only one event. They had just enough room in their bags to bring a single change of clothing, and each of them had selected their best gown. Tomorrow they’d be back to wearing the dark walking dresses they had arrived in.

“You look lovely,” Betts said, smoothing the top of Louisa’s hair. She shot a glance at Jessa. “Ready, miss?”

“I suppose I am.” She tidied her own coiffure and shook out her skirts, silk striped in teal and ivory.

The dress made a soft hushing sound as they descended the stairs, but it was not enough to soothe Jessa’s mind. A pall of worry settled over her the closer they came to the parlor.

Betts showed them into the room, an elegant space done up in shades of gold and apricot. The earl and his guests were seated in the center of the parlor, and upon their entrance the two gentlemen rose. Lady Agatha sprang to her feet as well, and came to take Louisa’s hand.

“Here they are,” she said. “The granddaughters of Viscount Trenton, whom, as I mentioned, are staying with us for a time.”

Lady Anne blinked and opened her mouth, then shot a glance at her mother.

“I declare!” Lady Dearborn was not as hesitant as her daughter.

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