I had once been that free. But I could not change Edward’s infidelity, nor could I go back in time and protect myself from the disappointed hopes of love. I could only promise never to repeat the situation. I would not be deceived again.
Renewed resolve rippled through me. This was why I was here. To shed my past and claim my future. One day, when my heart was safe, I would again be free.
“Miss Brinton?” A hand touched my back.
I turned, returning to an awareness of the room. Nearly everyone had been seated and the loud chattering had died to whispered murmurings.
Mr. Northam offered me a smile. “I believe they are ready to begin. Would you care to take a seat?” He indicated a few chairs nearby.
I glanced quickly around. Lord Williams was seated toward the middle of the room. I was in no danger from him this far away.
I returned Mr. Northam’s smile, his expensive cologne wafting around me like the warmth of a welcoming fire. “I would like to very much, yes.” He directed me to the chairs.
“Are you prepared for the showcase?” he asked once we’d settled.
I raised my brows at his choice of words.
“Do you not agree that in every performance there is a desire to exhibit oneself to advantage?”
“I suppose.” Yet there were times when a presentation of musical skill was not for display but for the pleasure of passing time amiably. Perhaps Mr. Northam did not care for such things.
His shoulder brushed mine when he leaned closer. “Have I offended you?”
“Not at all. But I confess, I am a lover of music in whatever circumstance it is presented.”
“As am I. I did not mean to imply that I do not enjoy music. I enjoy music a great deal, when there is true skill. I find it more difficult to appreciate mediocrity when it is forced upon me in a setting such as this.”
This I could agree with. I smiled. “Yet you did not stay away.”
His shoulder brushed mine again, this time with seeming intent. “No, I did not.”
We lapsed into silence as a young woman arose and performed a minuet on the pianoforte. Then commenced a steady stream of singing and playing. A man performed on the violin with some talent, much to the delight of several young women. When a woman who looked barely sixteen attempted an aria that seemed particularly unpracticed, Mr. Northam’s attention shifted down the row. I followed his gaze and found Lord Williams frowning at us.
Was the entire week to be overshadowed by his disapproval?
“What was my cousin so desperate to speak to you about?” Mr. Northam asked.
“He warned me against you.”
Mr. Northam met my gaze with interest. “Did he?”
“Yes.”
“Yet here you are.”
I settled further into my chair. “Here I am.”
We listened in silence a moment more before he said, “Tell me, Miss Brinton, do you play?”
“I do,” I admitted, caught off guard. “But I am not much of a performer.”
“Do you sing?”
“Only when alone.”
He smiled at my response. It was easy to picture him breaking hearts when he smiled like that, warm and with a hint that he knew a secret he might be willing to share. “Then I will not ask you to sing. But will you do me the honor of playing something?”
I laughed quietly. “Most certainly. Perhaps tomorrow when the room isn’t quite so crowded.”
“There is a lull. You could play now.”
I realized the young woman had finished her performance and the crowd awaited the next.
Yet had he not just exclaimed how much he disliked such a display? “You wish me to perform in front of all these people?”
“You come across as someone with great skill at the things you do. I think most of this audience would appreciate hearing from you.” He stood and held out his hand.
This was too unexpected. I shook my head. “Please sit down.”
“It is too late. People are beginning to stare.”
I glanced around. People were beginning to stare. And had I not come for this? To see if there weren’t a few gentlemen in this crowd who would suit me? While it would only take one, there was that notion of eggs and baskets and all that.
“Very well.” I took Mr. Northam’s proffered hand and stood.
“What will you play?” he asked, guiding me to the piano.
I shrugged and looked out at the crowd, searching for Daniel. He’d moved from where he’d been before, but I located him near the back. His eyes were wide, mirroring the surprise I