Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) (22 page)

Algernon glanced up at her, and let out a strange chortle as if reliving some act of cruelty he’d committed.

Susanna turned dismissively away.

Daubrey straightened. “I believe our interview is over. We expect the charges to be dropped by the end of the day or the morning papers will be filled with all the ugly truths about each of you. Good day.” He called for the servants to see their guests out.

A chorus of indignant sounds fell on seemingly deaf ears. Susanna maintained a serene air until after her aunt, uncle, and cousins left.

Kit took her into his arms. “Well done, love. I am surprised you aren’t even a bit overset.”

As Daubrey and Esther slipped out, Susanna rested against him. “They aren’t worth the effort. I forgive them so that I shall never think of them again.” She lifted her eyes and gazed into his. “From now on, I will only think of you and our life together.”

“And perhaps some music.”

“Oh, I have no doubt that we will make much beautiful music. I’m sure Esther and Daubrey will allow us to play their harp.”

“Or perhaps you’ll play your own harp.”

She paused, searching his eyes.

“As part of my inheritance, I own a small estate at the south eastern coast. It has a music room…with a harp.”

She let out a delighted gasp. “Oh Kit!”

“And.” He grinned, obviously pleased with himself. “I have something for you.” Looking equal parts smug and handsome, Kit reached into his pocket and opened his hand. “I was waiting for the right time to give this to you.”

In his hand lay a small gold and sapphire ring. Could it be? “That looks like my mother’s wedding ring.” She shook her head. “I sold that to get to London.”

“Yes, and I found the pawn where you sold it and I bought it back for you. Mrs. Griffin sends her regards.”

Her eyes stung, and the gold and blue dissolved into a watercolor painted by her tears. “Oh, Kit.” She picked up the ring and slid it on her finger. “Thank you.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

An impish side of her raised its head. “Well, since you’re in such a generous mood, there is a parlor maid in my aunt’s house named Martha. I would very much like to offer her a job in our home, if that’s agreeable to you.”

He lifted a brow. “Really? A parlor maid?”

“She was instrumental in helping me reach London,” Susanna explained.

A soft light entered Kit eyes. “Then I owe her a debt of gratitude as well. Consider it done.”

“Thank you.” She kissed him, their lips and hearts meeting in joy and hope and light, promising a future of many more such moments.

“I love you, Susanna, and I want you with me always.”

She sighed. “I have been unwanted and unloved for a very long time. It almost seems an unattainable dream to know that you do.”

“Not a dream—truth.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist. “And I love you so very much, I cannot even express it.”

“Try.”

She did. She poured out her love through her kiss.

When she’d left home in search of freedom in London, she’d had so little hope of finding anything beyond a position to put a roof over her head and bread on her table, and perhaps word of her brother. Though she still wished her brother had come home as soon as she’d written him of their parents’ death, the emptiness of his loss no longer seemed so consuming.

She had fled to London hoping to find a new future and a measure of freedom. Instead, she had found belonging and joy beyond her hopes. She had found a family. She had found love. The man of her dreams held her hand, and their wedding had been planned to take place three weeks from today. Nothing seemed too daunting to face—even meeting the Duke and Duchess of Charlemonte.

With Kit, she experienced the same bliss she’d known when playing the duet with him—a song of the heart they would compose all of their lives. Together, they would create a lifetime of sweet music, and so very many Sweet Memories.

Author’s Notes:

Women’s stays and corsets saving their lives is a well-documented fact. Due to the heavy, closely-woven fabric, folded and sewn in multiple layers, it creates a strong protection. Also, the center boning that ran vertically the length of the garment in front between the breasts was made of either a wooden slat or whalebone which would further deflect all but a very well-placed blow delivered by a strong arm. There are also reports through history of folded handkerchiefs, as well as small books such as bibles, saving lives from the deadly force of a blade or a bullet.

Contrary to what readers sometimes encounter in literature, a maid is not a proper chaperone; maids are servants who can be bribed or bullied. Only a respectable, mature woman who is married or widowed, or a spinster of good breeding and advanced years is considered a proper chaperone. 

Since researching the working class musician proved more difficult than expected, I took some creative liberties combined with what I learned of Regency theatre and opera, along with my own experience as a theatre and music nerd in my youth. I hope the end result provided a satisfying, realistic-feeling Regency world.

The term bounty hunter was not in use during the Regency, but it was common for people victimized of a crime to offer up a reward for the capture of the criminal. Some of these who sought the reward were honest lawmen, others were not so much.

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About the author:

Donna Hatch, author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” is a hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, the force behind driving her to write and publish 14 historical titles, to date. She is a multi-award winner, a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles multiple volunteer positions as well as her six children. A devoted music lover, she sings and plays the harp. Though a native of Arizona, she and her family recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest where she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.