Ruse by Murray Tamela Hancock

Author:Murray, Tamela Hancock
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-07-24T04:00:00+00:00

Eight

After the concert, the group relaxed, seated around the room, and talked among themselves. Otis broke off with Christopher and approached Katherine as Vera excused herself to chat with Miranda.

Katherine gave him a look that she knew expressed her nervousness. She wasn’t sure what to expect.

To her surprise and delight, he offered a smile. “You played superbly, Katherine. Even better than I anticipated. And I assure you, that’s saying quite a lot.”

Katherine smiled, feeling genuine delight in a performance well executed. As Vera had foretold, the effort had been worth the reward. “Thank you.”

Otis rose from his seat. “If you’ll excuse me, I must say a few words to Miranda. Surely she is to be congratulated for her superb rendition as well. She certainly chose a challenging aria and delivered it flawlessly. Why, she could pass for someone trained in such arts.”

“Yes.” The fact she felt no jealousy surprised Katherine.

“Is she?”

“Is she what?” Katherine shot a glimpse Miranda’s way.

“Why, trained in the art of opera, of course.”

“Oh.” Katherine tried to recall. “I believe she took lessons some years back. A voice teacher traveled from town to town, giving lessons every week or so. I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, I’m sorry to say.”

“That is not to be regretted. Your talents are many.” He nodded once. “Now to congratulate Miranda.”

Katherine wasn’t alone for long, for Christopher soon walked up beside her. “For once I concur with Otis. Your talents are indeed many. I must say, your performance just now was splendid.”

Katherine noticed that Christopher’s congratulations sounded heartier than Otis’s had. His words seemed to convey that he was happy that she had finally learned to play the harp after years of wishing she could. “Yes. Learning that song—really learning to play it—taught me a lot. I have to give Vera credit for being patient enough to teach me.”

“Yes, Vera is a good friend to you.”

She nodded and looked over at Otis. He was engaged in animated conversation with Miranda.

Christopher’s gaze followed hers. “Otis seems to have made a new friend here.”

“Yes.”

His dark eyebrows shot up, drawing her attention not only to his surprise but also to his clear blue eyes. “You don’t seem to be bothered by his apparent interest in your friend.”

“Should I be? I’ve always maintained that Otis and I are just correspondents. Nothing more.”

Christopher didn’t seem to mind her admission and changed the topic. Yet she hardly heard what he said as she recalled the trickery regarding the horsemanship that Miranda had planned over her protests. Katherine had decided to make one last attempt to call it off. “Excuse me, Christopher. I have something to say to Otis and Miranda.”

“Oh?” His mouth straightened. “You don’t want to hear about how Reddy got out of the pen and scared Mr. Crawford half to death?”

“Again?” She shook her head. “That bull has never been one to be controlled, has he? How many times has he gotten out of that pen?” Nevertheless, she drew out her lace fan and cooled herself with it as she stood in place, a sign of her willingness to listen to his tale of mock woe.

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