My One and Only Earl (Forever Yours #12) - Stacy Reid Page 0,40

him whether it had been deliberate on his part.

“Daphne, you look delightful as usual,” James said to his sister. “Aunt Marielle, that is a stunning new gown, very imperial.”

Aunt Marielle had chosen to dress in rich purple and wore a hair ornament that displayed some fine amethysts and pearls in her steel-grey hair. But while he spoke, his eyes were eating up Poppy’s appearance. Poppy thought James looked a little uncomfortable as if his normal unruffled demeanor had been unsettled by something. James continued, bowing over her hand. “Miss Ashford, you look simply stunning.”

Warmth flowered throughout her body at the sincerity in his tone and the measured way he stared at her. As if he could not help himself. As if he wanted to say more but did not dare.

James waved his hand to a handsome gentleman standing by his side. “May I introduce you to Viscount Worsley, A good friend of mine. Do not let him lead you astray.”

Poppy frowned slightly, recalling the rules of etiquette Daphne and Aunt Marielle had painstakingly mentioned. She smiled when she realized what was amiss. “My lord, you know perfectly well that you should have introduced Lord Worsley to me, as his importance is far elevated above mine.”

“I am honored to make you acquaintance, Miss Ashford and my rank defers to your beauty,” Worsley said, bowing flamboyantly over her hand, his gray-blue eyes glittering with humor.

James rolled his eyes, and Poppy swallowed her laugh. Lord Worsley offered Poppy his arm, and James walked between his relations. They headed into a grand ballroom that had been set with rows of chairs for the musicale. There were also stands and chairs set for an orchestra, a grand piano, and a full-size harp.

Lady Sanders bustled over, and James made the introduction to Poppy, this time correctly. Poppy took in the full glory of Lady Sanders, who was a lady of about sixty years of age. Her hair was white and severely restrained but topped by a small tiara of fine diamonds. Their hostess wore a dark pink gown of which the skirt had several scalloped flounces which were edged dramatically in scarlet. She creaked and wheezed a little as she moved and wafted with an overpowering perfume that contained many floral scents.

In her hand, Lady Sanders held a slightly crumpled list and a pencil dangled from her wrist, and she crossed off Poppy’s name, which indicated that she was to play fifth.

“Very pleased to meet you, Miss Ashford. I have heard great things of your playing.”

Poppy jolted and sent a swift glance at James, who widened his eyes innocently.

“I do not think you will have much competition from the earlier performances,” Lady Sanders continued. “I try to encourage some of the younger generation, but I put the less talented on first before the hall has filled up, then try to scatter the real musicians through the program to leaven the dough, so to speak. Now, Kingsley, you have failed to volunteer, and you have such a beautiful voice. Can I persuade you to entertain us later in the evening?”

Poppy glanced at him. James sang?

“I have been so busy with the estate’s affairs, and I have not practiced anything in a long time. You have a long list; I begged to be excused,” James said politely but with a great deal of charm. “I also have a matter to speak about with Worsley…”

James’s scowl blackened, and Poppy had to look away before her laughter escaped. Where Worsley had vanished to, Poppy had no notion, but James could not use anything with his friend as an excuse.

Lady Sanders harrumph. “You know perfectly well, young man, that this is a great opportunity for me. You have not attended any musicale in years, and now you are at mine. A triumph! There will be an outcry if you do not sing at least the Elf King. Do you think you could play the accompaniment to that, Miss Ashford? I have the music if you need it; most of the pianists here would not be up to the mark for playing so difficult a piece. What are you planning on playing, by the way?”

Poppy hid her smile at James’s consternation. “I was thinking of a Chopin étude and possibly a piece of Mendelssohn, but I know the Elf King and can play it with the music. It has been a while since I played it, but it was one of my brother’s favorites.”

“Excellent! Well, that’s all organized. You have an accompanist,