Snowbound Seductions by Claire Hadleigh

Author:Claire Hadleigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Regency Romance, holiday romance, Historical Romance
Publisher: Claire Hadleigh
Published: 2017-05-12T00:00:00+00:00

HESITANT AT FIRST, Meredith glided over to the dais and seated herself at the pianoforte. Pendleton moved up and offered to turn the pages, but she waved him off with a smile and murmured thanks. She had no need for help as she knew this piece by heart.

William watched as she studied the keys for a moment. He could see that she was thinking, conjuring up the notes she would play. And then she struck the first note. The music started off like soft birdsong, her fingers moving gently across the keys. Then it quickly gained resonance and pace, echoing throughout the room. She played with a sense of assuredness, without any score before her, and William suddenly realized that she knew this music intimately; that she had played it many times before.

He watched her face transform from the serious countenance of earlier into something altogether different. It was as if she had awakened, her eyes bright, intensely focused on the music as it flowed from her fingers, through her body, her soul.

He caught Lady Caro leaning forward in her chair, as if waiting for something to happen. What did she anticipate? Pendleton, still on the dais behind Meredith, looked over at William, a strange expression on his face. Incredulity? Certainly surprise.

And then the music came to an end. Meredith sat for a moment, her head down, as if suspended in a dream. The sudden applause tugged her back to the present, and she looked over at William. To him it was as if the heavens had opened and sunlight surrounded him. He was at her side in a moment, leading her off the dais, her arm clasped tightly to his.

Caro rushed up to her daughter. "Ah, dearest, it was wonderful to hear you play once again." Although the words were whispered between the two, William heard. Once again? He could have sworn she played that piece daily. It had been perfection. How long had her passion for music lay dormant? And, more important, how could he help keep it alive, to not let her slip back into despondency?

Pendleton passed William and joined Alexandra. He reached out and brushed her hand. "What was that all about, I wonder?" asked Alexandra.

He shrugged. "Damned if I know. But it was incredible, the best I've heard in a long time." His eyes slid down to Alexandra's face. Such an intense woman. His heart heaved. What he wouldn't give to feel her in his arms.

She felt him watching her and glanced up at the tall Scotsman who had won her heart so quickly. She felt light-headed as he pressed her hand. Despite her vow to never fall for another military man, Alexandra took hold of it. If he doesn't watch out, she thought, I may never let it go.

There was a loud tapping as Cyrus struck the chair with his bow. Hettie was seated at the pianoforte, a sweet smile aimed at the vicar. "Ladies and gentlemen, let the dancing commence!" He wielded his bow sprightly, starting off with an ever-popular quadrille.

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