her seat when she came to a familiar name.
Cameron Price, Composer.
Quickly she returned to the front page of her program and read through every word. At the bottom, in small print, under choreography but above set design was written: Original Score by Cameron Price. Lily exhaled sharply and went back to the biography page. Cameron’s bio was shorter than most.
Mr. Price is a published composer of two works, a ballad and a waltz, and has also written several private commissions. He hails from Wiltshire County. A country boy at heart, he is the son of Mrs. Colton Price of Bath. Cameron thanks Mr. Zachary Newland and the Duke of Lybrook for this chance to compose for the Regal. He dedicates his part in opening night to his beloved sisters, Patricia and Katrina and to the memory of his father.
The Duke of Lybrook? Lily turned around to her husband who was conversing with Evan. “Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you need to read this.” She handed him the program and pointed to the relevant entry.
Daniel read it quickly. “Yes?” he said again.
“Why is he thanking you?” Lily asked.
“I’m not sure, although it probably has something to do with the fact that I sent Newland a copy of your waltz.”
“You did?”
“Yes. It was quite good, as you know, and I thought Newland might be able to use a composer for his venture. It seems I was right.”
“Oh my.”
“Good for Price,” Daniel continued. “I always thought he was made for more than mere tenancy on our land.”
“I must speak with him.” Lily started to rise.
Daniel put his hands on her shoulders. “Not now, love. The show is about to start.”
“I don’t care. He’s here somewhere. I need to speak with him now!”
“No, Lily,” Daniel said sharply.
“Don’t you dare raise your voice to me!” Lily whispered angrily.
“Calm down, love. I’m not raising my voice to you. But the play is going to start. Look, there go the lights.”
“Daniel, you don’t understand. It’s a…matter of grave importance!” She wanted to tell him more, but Evan’s presence next to Daniel made that impossible.
“We’ll find him at intermission,” Daniel said. “Come on, you don’t want to miss the play. Besides, he’s most likely extremely busy right now.”
Her husband was right, of course. It was aggravating, how right he usually was. She couldn’t help smiling to herself. Her impulsiveness was one of the things Daniel loved about her, but he curbed it when necessary. As the curtain lifted to strains of what must have been Cameron’s music, she reached behind her. Daniel’s hand met hers, and she squeezed gently, saying, without words, how much she loved him.
* * * *
Lily sighed as the curtain descended for intermission. The performance so far had been amazing, and the music inspiring. Cameron was indeed gifted. A perfect match for Rose. She was determined to find him and make sure he did right by her sister.
“Daniel”—she stood—“I’ll return shortly. I need to…powder my nose.”
“I’ll come with you,” he said.
“You’re going to help her powder her nose?” Evan asked, smiling.
“Er…no.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to powder your own nose,” Thomas joined in, chuckling.
“Can the two of you ever stop giving me grief?” Daniel asked. “Is it such a crime to be in love with one’s wife?”
“It’s no crime at all,” Lily giggled. “Come, my love.”
When they were free of the box, Lily said urgently. “We must find Mr. Price.”
“Can you tell me why it’s so important now?” Daniel asked.
“Yes. I need to find him for Rose. She’s…in love with him.”
“What?”
“It’s true. The Prices have left our land, by the way.”
“That’s apparent, given his work here,” Daniel said. “I’m sure they sent notice. I still haven’t gotten through all the correspondence that came in during our trip. But that’s not the issue. How can Rose be in love with him? She was with Xavier up to recently.”
“She just is. We don’t choose who to fall in love with, Daniel. You and I ought to know that.”
“True.” He smiled. “But does Price return Rose’s feelings?”
“Well…”
“Lily.”
“He says he doesn’t. But I don’t believe it. Besides it doesn’t matter anyway.”
“Why doesn’t it matter?”
“Because Rose is with child, damn it!” Lily quickly clasped her hand over her mouth.
“She’s what?”
“Keep your voice down,” Lily urged. “She’s with child. Dear Lord, I promised her my confidence.”
“Come on.” Daniel grabbed her hand. “We’re going backstage to find that blackguard and make him do right by your sister.”
“No, Daniel. Not that way. I promised Rose I wouldn’t tell anyone. If we tell