Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) (13 page)

“It’s not charity—it’s friendship. This is what friends do. You clearly matter to Kit, therefore you matter to me. Besides, I like you already, and that says something about your character. I usually don’t like people I meet in London.” She quirked a grin and drew Susanna into the drawing room.

Certainly Esther did not seem the type to be disagreeable. Did she truly mean most people in London were so unlikable? Perhaps she merely jested.

Kit’s voice greeted them. “…a brother who was killed in a sea battle, and wants more information about it. Can you help?”

“I’d be happy to look into it for you,” came Daubrey’s reply.

Her pulse leaped. Did Kit refer to her search for news of Richard? Had he truly remembered?

Inside the doorway, Susanna halted. Kit stood dressed in a black evening suit almost identical in cut and fabric to Lord Daubrey’s. Kit’s expertly tailored-clothing fit his lean, graceful, masculine form. Clearly more than a gifted violinist, Kit carried himself with the same confidence as Lord Daubrey—a man with the world at his feet.

This begged the question; who, really, was Kit Anson?

Kit turned and grinned, his gaze passing over the length of her. Under his scrutiny, her cheeks burned and her steps faltered. She glanced back at the door, her muscles bunching, urging her to flee this auspicious company so far above her in elegance and refinement and town polish. Who was she, a penniless country girl without the training necessary to move in such circles, to think she could pass the evening in their company? They seemed kind enough not to point out all the
faux pas
she would surely commit tonight, but the idea that they must feel obligated to politely bite their tongues as she made one blunder after another was enough to make her wish she’d stayed on the streets. Almost. The bath and the bed had been heavenly. But still…

As if sensing her rising panic, Esther put an arm around her. “You’re among friends, my dear.” She led her to the gentlemen.

Lord Daubrey eyed her as if he’d never seen her before and had not yet decided what to make of her.

Susanna sank in to a curtsy. “Good evening. Thank you again for your hospitality, my lord.”

Lord Daubrey bowed. “Please, I’m Daubrey to my friends.”

She inclined her head when she wanted to shake it over the unthinkable position of having a lord imply he was her friend. He’d barely met her and they’d certainly never exchanged more than a few words.

With his whole focus fixed upon Susanna, Kit approached, all grace and poise, and bowed before her. He stared at her as if he saw something wondrous. Which was ridiculous. “Good evening.”

Susanna swallowed and sank into a curtsy. How strange to be so formal with Kit. But then, he’d always treated her like a lady, even when she slept in the alley.

“I’m almost speechless with your beauty, Miss Dyer.”

She blushed at the astonishment in his expression. “You needn’t stare so.”

“Indeed I must.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

Her gloves provided no true barrier between the warmth of his lips and her hand. Heat burst from the contact and spread over her limbs. Heaven help her if he’d kissed her skin directly.

“I must have looked dreadful then, because while I own up to looking better than usual—thanks to your sister and her maid—I am not foolish enough to believe I am anywhere near…beautiful.” She choked on the word.

Very gently, and laced with a touch of humor, he said, “I am sorry, but I must disagree.”

She must have been truly a dirty ragged little thing then to appear so different to him now. She blushed again and looked down lest she find messages in his eyes that he did not mean to send.

“Dinner is served,” the butler announced.

With Lord and Lady Daubrey leading the way, Susanna accepted Kit’s offered arm and proceeded to the dining room. Large iron candelabras stood in each corner filled with a dozen candles each, and their light, combined with sconces on the walls and candles on the table, illuminated the elegant room to mid-afternoon brightness. Light shimmered off gilt wood trim, crystal glasses, and fine china adoring the settings.

Lord Daubrey sat at the head of the table with Esther at his right. At Lord Daubrey’s left, Kit held out a chair and waited expectantly. Susanna hesitated. She was to sit in a place of honor next to the host? She glanced at Esther, but no one seemed to think seating Susanna in such an honored place anything out of the ordinary. She sat. As Kit took the chair next to her, she glanced around, noticing that their seats were clustered at one end of the table. Kit sent her a reassuring smile. Susanna took a steadying breath. She could do this. Somehow, she would get through the meal without embarrassing Kit or her hosts.

Servants carried out an assortment of dishes, enough for twice as many diners. This was a simple family meal? Susanna called upon her memory about instruction for eating in formal occasions. With trembling hands, she sipped her drink. As the meal began, she watched Esther for cues.

Kit touched her arm. “I spoke with Daubrey about your brother.”

“Indeed,” Lord Daubrey said, “I’m happy to look into his final hours. What was his name and on which ship did he serve?”

She shot a grateful look at Kit and replied, “His name was Richard Dyer. He was a lieutenant on the HMS
Evening Star
serving under Captain Marshall.”

Lord Daubrey nodded. “I will find out what I can.”

“I’m very grateful to you, my lord. Er, Daubrey.” Susanna glanced at Esther. “I appreciate your hospitality. I will make every effort to secure lodging of my own as soon as possible.”

“Nonsense.” Lord Daubrey waved his fork. “Stay as long as you like. Esther is thrilled to have a friend staying here.”

“I certainly am, and no more talk of imposing or appreciating hospitality, for goodness sake.” Esther shook her head. “I told you that I’m looking forward to seeing some of the sights of the city. It’s always more fun doing that with someone who’s new to town because they enjoy it more than those who’ve seen it for years. I also want a woman’s opinion when I go shopping.”

Susanna gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m not sure I could be much help on your shopping selections. I haven’t been following London fashions.”

Esther waved that away. “Well, if you ask me, many of them are horrid. I mostly need you to help me choose colors and restrain me if I try to put too much lace on something.”

Considering the tasteful simplicity of Esther’s evening gown, or the beautiful blue creation she’d lent to Susanna, too much lace didn’t appear to be a fault.

The second course arrived but Susanna was so full that she could barely sample enough of the delightful dishes to avoid appearing ungracious to the host and hostess. When dessert arrived, she couldn’t eat more than a few bites.

Susanna leaned back and let out a contented sigh. How would she ever move? She would never again take for granted the delightful luxury of a full stomach.

“Do you have other plans this evening?” Kit asked Esther and Daubrey.

“Not on the Sabbath,” Esther said. She smiled at Susanna. “We usually stay home and read or enjoy music on Sundays.”

Oh, dear. She’d completely forgotten today was Sunday and had slept through church. Mama must be shaking her head up in heaven over Susanna’s carelessness. Her aunt often denied her the privilege of attending church, but she’d never failed to attend because she’d forgotten. “It sounds relaxing,” Susanna said.

“It is indeed,” Esther said. “Once the Season starts, it’s usually such a whirlwind that we look forward to quiet evenings at home on occasion. Might you favor us with a bit of music, this evening? We have a harp in the music room. The rest of us can perform in our own way as well.”

“I’d be happy to play for you, if that is your wish.” She rubbed her fingers together, testing their soreness. Her callouses had softened in the preceding week of travel, and the last two nights she’d played a great deal, but no blisters seemed to have formed.

Rather than the ladies leaving and allowing the gentleman to linger over their port, they all rose from the table together. With her arm resting on Kit’s, she followed the Daubrey’s to the drawing room sectioned off to create a smaller, more intimate setting. Inside sat an ornate harpsichord, a gleaming pianoforte, and a Louis XVI harp with more gilding than even the harpsichord. The first time she’d been in this room, Susanna had been so focused on Kit and his family that she had hardly noticed the furnishings. A fire crackled merrily in the grate and candles flickered from all corners, atop every tabletop, and from crystal chandeliers hanging from the soaring ceilings. The lighting illuminated the room with luxurious brightness.

Esther took a turn at the pianoforte, proving herself a skilled musician. After several numbers, she raised her brows at Kit. “Did you bring your violin?”

“Not tonight, alas.” Kit grinned.

“Then you must sing for us instead.”

Kit glanced at Susanna. “Will you sing a duet with me?”

“Oh, I don’t really have a fine voice. But I look forward to hearing you sing.”

Kit made a self-deprecating bow. “I hope I don’t disappoint.”

As Esther played, Kit sang. He did, indeed have a rich, smooth voice as Susanna had suspected. After a few formal numbers, they led the others in several well-known folk songs. By the end of the evening, they were all standing around the pianoforte singing as a group. The music seemed to bind them together. For a time, Susanna forgot they were anything but the dearest of friends. Indeed, they almost felt like family.

At the end of one of the songs Susanna had been singing gustily, Kit touched the small of her back. “You are overly modest. You have a lovely voice, and I hope to hear you sing more.” His eyes shone softly, and his gaze lowered to her lips.

Her mouth dried at the idea that he might be thinking about kissing her. She’d never so badly in all her life wanted to be kissed than she did at that moment.

That would be foolish, for if she kissed Kit, she’d lose another piece of her heart to him, and those pieces would be gone forever when she must say good bye.

He dropped his hand and stepped back. “Will you play for us now?”

“Oh, do!” Esther exclaimed.

Susanna obliged them, playing not as she did for her uncle as a way of escaping her life as a virtual prisoner, but as she once had as a child, to share and please her family. That sensation of belonging, here and now, permeated every inch of her, and her joy wove through her music. How dear Kit and the Daubreys had become to her so quickly!

Each time she finished a piece, they begged for more and more, until finally Esther declared they were probably wearing out their star performer.

Kit arose. “I suppose it is past time that I leave. I bid you all a good night.”

Esther stood and kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy you spent the evening with us. Will you come with us as I take Susanna on a little sight-seeing tour of the city tomorrow?”

He glanced at Susanna, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. “Yes, I would enjoy that—if that meets with Susanna’s approval.”

Susanna smiled. “Of course. It would be a pleasure to have you with us.”

He came to Susanna and took her hand, enfolding it in both of his. Something intense and searching in his eyes made her pulse pound. Again he raised her hand to his lips. Again came that answering warmth like a candle flame, flickering wider and brighter.

He smiled gently. “Until tomorrow, then.”

She swallowed. “Good night.”

When he left, she put her hands over her hot cheeks. He most certainly had taken another piece of her heart with him.

Kit leaned an arm on the back of Daubrey’s barouche and admired Susanna’s pretty face and unaffected smile as she gazed at the sights of London. Though she schooled her features so as not to gawk too much like a green girl from the country, the light in her eyes and the awed smile gave away her delight. He grinned at Tess, silently praising her for making sure much of their sightseeing remained inside the carriage so as not to tire out Susanna. After a second night’s sleep safe in a bed, as well as several nourishing meals, she looked better than he would have believed. The dark circles under her eyes vanished, her skin virtually glowed, and a new confidence straightened her spine. Even her smiles came more easily now.

All the while, Kit kept a sharp watch for men who might take unusual notice of Susanna. He would not allow a hired thug, or anyone else for that matter, to spirit her away. Clearly, she had more value to her family than she understood. If she were so important to them, why would they starve and neglect her? Each moment he spent in her company chastised him for having once believed her capable of lies or theft, however briefly.

They viewed the Tower of London and then a private museum. Kit divided his attention between watching Susanna enjoy herself and guarding her from harm. With her next to him, he felt a renewed purpose, as if he’d only been dozing the last few years and had finally come fully awake. Colors seemed brighter, scents stronger, sounds richer. With her near, he’d wondered how he’d ever managed the monotony of life. Without his music, he might have faded completely away. But now she was here, and he wanted her near him always. Always. He tasted the word and found it sweet.

Later they drove over London Bridge, and even enjoyed flavored ices at Gunter’s. After finishing the last drop of her ice, Susanna turned her gaze upon him and his heart expanded.

With eyes aglow, she asked, “May we visit Wapping and walk along the river?”

She’d remembered. Why that meant so much to him, he couldn’t have said, except that it seemed yet another thread in the bond tying him to her.

He almost leaned forward to touch her face. Instead, he gripped the back of the seat. “I noticed it was high tide when we drove over the bridge, so we can’t walk on the beach, but there are several shops that have walkways along it that we might visit.”

Susanna smiled with such brilliance that his heart did an odd little flip.

“That sounds delightful,” Tess said. She gave the instruction to the driver.