of waves over her shoulders and back, her bare toes curled into the carpet. And she played without using music sheets.
George wanted to marry her. Lord Westfall wanted to see this done. And Hugh…he quite believed he would see them both ruined if they ever attempted to take Phoebe away. Her connections in the ton were incalculable. A hitch travelled through his heart. He wanted her for more than just her connections; he had wanted her from that very first letter, before he knew her identity.
There was a dark voice inside wondering what if because if she loved this fool, she would choose to leave and run to him. While divorces or annulments were almost impossible to procure, with the right wealth and power, a man could let it appear that the marriage between Hugh and Phoebe never happened.
I love no one. The cold memory of that utterance whispered through him.
Hugh stared at her, rubbing the spot above his heart, which pounded. If you choose to leave, I will let you go.
The stirring sounds rippled in the air as her fingers danced over the keyboard with such elegance and grace, it was as if he could see the notes dancing in the air. His father visibly shuddered as the music seemed to pierce his soul, and Hugh was glad to see his enjoyment.
The doctor had visited yesterday and had attended the earl and the viscountess. Both had been given good reports, and Dr. Edwards had expressed his surprise that the old earl still lived. He had cautioned Hugh against hope, for his father was notably slimmer, and his heart was weaker. It would be any day now, but his father held on with impressive tenacity.
And now, other pleasures the earl had missed were unexpectedly provided by the viscountess. It surprised Hugh that given her skills, she had taken so long to visit the music room. They stood and listened, an odd sort of pride filling his chest.
“Such talent should be on display for the world to see and admire,” his father said in a low, bemused tone. “She’s an incredible player.”
Yes, she is, Hugh silently agreed. She had taken his sister under her wing, and lately whenever he spied Caroline, he would search for the wild young girl he saw in the well-dressed and composed young lady. His wife and sister had become fast friends, and sometimes to his bemusement, he was irritated that his sister commanded so much of Phoebe’s time.
Would I really let you go?
The music drifted away, and silence lingered.
“If you would join me, I could play anything you like,” she invited softly.
Hugh stiffened. How did she know he was there? It was as his father shuffled inside that he realized she spoke for the benefit of the old earl. Emotions clutched at his throat, for his father had relentlessly avoided her and had been very abrupt in their interactions. She had not shown any offense or complained to him, yet it must have bruised her pride.
“Anything?” his father demanded imperiously, making his way over to the armchair closest to her.
Hugh sensed that she smiled.
“As long as I am familiar with it.”
“Without the sheets?”
“Of course,” she said with a touch of arrogance, tossing her hair. “I’ve practiced for several hours in the morning for years.” She ran her hands lovingly over the keyboard and the fine edge of the instrument. “I even had a music tutor whom I surpassed in only a few months.”
Hugh stiffened at the inflection he heard when she said music tutor. Were the music teacher and George one and the same? But what did it matter? Biting back the unknown emotions stirring to life inside, Hugh pushed the suppositions and their empty bearing aside.
His father scowled, and she chuckled. Hugh was fascinated that she appeared undaunted by the earl’s ferocity. Peace and such delight settled on his father’s face when she started to play a sonata by Pleyel. Hugh drifted away to his study, leaving them to their pleasures.
It had been a full three months since he had married Phoebe, and in that time, a slender, delicate thread of friendship had formed between them. More than friendship, but he was unable to put a name to the exact nature of their relationship. Hugh was only certain that he enjoyed her company immensely, and when he was away from the manor, his thoughts constantly turned to her.
In the nights… He swallowed. Whenever he slept, she entered his dreams, like a thief, robbing him of