Page 42 of A Devious Secret

“In time, you will.”

“I do not see myself ever remarrying.”

Her aunt looked as if she had more that she wanted to say but the coach came to a stop in front of their townhouse, effectively ending their conversation.

After they exited the coach, they approached the main door and Balfour stood to the side to allow them entry.

Balfour closed the door and addressed her aunt. “Lord Montfort was hoping you would join him in his study.”

“I believe I shall.” Her aunt turned towards her and reached for her hand. “We will continue our conversation later.”

Gemma bobbed her head in agreement, but she secretly hoped that her aunt would forget their discussion. She had made her decision. She had no intention of allowing Mr. Wycomb to court her, assuming he even asked.

As her aunt walked away, she could hear music drifting out of the music room and she felt drawn towards the noise. She came to a stop outside of the door and saw Marielle was sitting at the pianoforte. Her fingers were moving over the keys at a brisk pace. Her eyes were closed, and she was swaying to the music.

The music came to a stop and Marielle lowered her hands to her lap. Feeling foolish for intruding, Gemma went to leave but Marielle’s voice stopped her.

“Do you play?” Marielle asked, shifting to face her.

“I used to,” Gemma admitted.

Marielle eyed her curiously. “May I ask why you stopped?”

Gemma stepped into the music room and replied, “When Baldwin was dying, he asked for me to play the pianoforte, over and over. It was the only thing that seemed to comfort him towards the end.”

Tears came to her eyes as she continued. “Our bedchamber was right above the music room so we opened the windows to allow him to hear the music,” she shared. “I would play for hours and he never seemed to tire of it.”

“Did he have a favorite piece?”

“He preferred Handel,” Gemma replied. “The Messiah’s ‘Hallelujah’ chorus was what he requested most of all.”

Marielle patted the seat next to her. “I am familiar with that piece. I would be happy to accompany you.”

Gemma put her hand up. “I wouldn’t dare,” she said. “It would bring back too many painful memories.”

“Are all of them bad?”

Gemma paused. “Not all of them,” she admitted. “But I am not ready yet.”

Marielle gave her an understanding smile. “My mother taught me how to play the pianoforte, and after she died, I didn’t feel like playing it either.”

“What changed?”

“Now, whenever I touch the keys, I remember my mother,” Marielle said. “I remember her smile, her eyes, and, most importantly, I remember how she made me feel.”

Gemma walked closer to the pianoforte. “Do you not get sad?”

“I do, all the time, but it is the only time that I feel as if my mother is watching over me.” Marielle waved her hand in front of her. “I know I must sound silly.”

“Not to me,” Gemma rushed out.

Marielle retrieved the sheets of music that sat on the pianoforte and shuffled them. “I am sorry that I missed the opportunity to go shopping this afternoon, but Hugh wanted to take a stroll through the gardens.”

“You should know that we ran into your brother in the most unusual place.”

Rising, Marielle asked, “Which was?”

“The milliner’s shop,” Gemma replied.