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It’s not not true.
Rhoda’s eyes are massive. Her lips drop open as her hands splay on the table, waiting for me to continue.
I close my eyes, shaking my head. “I don’t know. He said he wanted to see me again. I don’t really know what that means.”
“I think it means he wants to see you again,” Rhoda answers slowly, enunciating every word. She laughs, shaking her head. “Trust you to ensnare a reclusive Duke. You’ll end up better off than any of us without even trying. Just like college.”
I frown. “What do you mean, just like college?”
“Um, have you forgotten the gaggle of men that followed you everywhere? How they hung on every word? How they came to your performances? I’m pretty sure you single-handedly caused a resurgence in the popularity of classical music.”
I wave a hand, shaking my head. “I had friends.”
“Mm,” Rhoda answers, shaking her head. She nods to my phone. “Don’t leave the man hanging. I guarantee you he’s staring at his phone right now, waiting for you to answer.”
I take a deep breath and type out the first thing that comes to mind.
Ada: I could play for you again, if you think it would help your mental health.
I hope he can hear the grin in my text. I press send, putting my phone face down on the table. I look at Rhoda. I need to change the subject, if only to regain control over my racing heart. “How about you? Tell me about your engagement. When’s the wedding?”
“Next June.” She gives me a tight smile. “My family is happy with the marriage. The Duke of Harbor is a nice man. He has a property near Westhill Castle which he says is beautiful in the summertime. That’s where the wedding will be.”
I smile. “I’m glad for you, Rhoda. You deserve to be happy.”
My friend reaches over to me, placing her hand on mine. “I’m doing this because it’s expected of me, and it’s the best option for my family. But you”—she pauses, glancing at my phone—“you could have something more.”
“It’s just a couple of text messages,” I say, shaking my head, even though her words feed a deep well of excitement in my gut.
What if it were more? What if things with the Duke were real?
My phone buzzes, and Rhoda gives me a meaningful glance. It’s more than a couple of text messages, the look says.
Heath: Tonight. I can show you the last piano my parents built.
I close my eyes for a moment, trying to contain the emotion bubbling up inside me. Maybe Rhoda’s right. Maybe there’s something between the Duke and me that could be more.
I could have it all—and save Maggie from a loveless marriage while I’m at it.
13
Ada
A few hours later, Richard, our house manager, knocks on the sitting room door. When he introduces the Duke of Blythe, all heads lift in surprise.
My heart takes off, carrying my breath away with it. Kiera lets out a squeal, clapping her hand over her mouth. Maggie stares at me, asking a thousand questions with her eyes.
But it’s my mother who shoots me the heaviest glare. It’s gone in an instant, when she stands up to greet the Duke.
“Your Grace,” she says, expertly hiding the surprise in her voice. “How lovely of you to visit.”
As if this isn’t completely out of the ordinary. As if he visits all the time.
The Duke bows to my mother and father, then moves to shake my father’s hand. His eyes find mine, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. My head is spinning so hard I don’t even hear the pleasantries exchanged.
The Duke is here. In my living room. Talking to my family.
When he told me he wanted to meet me tonight, I thought—actually, I don’t know what I thought. I didn’t think he’d walk in and start talking to my father about the weather. Maybe I expected him to stop the car outside and honk the horn, or something.
