Page 67 of The Gentlewoman Apprentice

Just then, Lady Halverton burst in. “Oh, I cannot believe I slept so long. The rain is soothing. And the two of you have been sewing all this while. Well, stop. It is a rainy day, and no one should be working.” She collapsed into a chair.

“A muddy-boots day,” Peter said.

“Yes, exactly. Has my mother-in-law come down?”

“I have not seen the dowager, my lady,” Peter said. The dowager was a favorite client of Peter’s who spent most of her time in London now that her son had married.

“Margaret, I woke thinking of that concerto you played for us last Sunday. I long to hear it again. Do you mind?” She gestured hopefully toward the harpsichord.

“I would much prefer to finish your gown, my lady.”

Lady Halverton moaned in an unladylike fashion. “Call me Louisa and have done with it.”

“Louisa,” Miss Cooper said, “the rain puts me in a sewing mood.”

“Liar.” Lady Halverton laughed. “Now I know you can play so well, I am certain your fingers itch every time you see a harpsichord. And I so ill and tired. You are not so cruel as to deny me a tiny song.”

Peter had noticed Miss Cooper glance toward the instrument a time or two. “I promise to sew my fastest all the time you play,” he said.

Miss Cooper acquiesced and opened the instrument. Her long fingers, so capable with a needle and thread, began a slow, deliberate march over the keys. A heart-wrenching, melancholy tune filled the room while Miss Cooper transformed, her face softening, her stiff posture giving way to the pull of the melody.

“You are not sewing, Mr. Sloan,” she said, without looking or missing a note.

Startled, he turned to his work, but his fingers remained still. His eyes lifted toward her again.

When Miss Cooper’s hands stilled over the keys, Lady Halverton began clapping, and Peter bent over the silk and began running thread as fast as possible while maintaining straight stitches.

“It is beautiful but makes me weep,” said Lady Halverton. “Let us hear something jolly.”

Miss Cooper played another piece and another until Peter thoroughly lost himself under the enchantment of her song. Her habitual restraint gave way to the depth of emotion he’d suspected lay within her. Confessions she’d made in her letters became audible, suffocating him with the desire to show her joy and love could be found.

When Lady Halverton rose and said it was time to dress for supper, it took Peter a moment to recall himself. He did not want to dine with the family but would endure it should Miss Cooper be there.

“Oh, but the two of you have nothing to wear.” Lady Halverton glanced between the two of them.

“I have no wish to disrupt your family supper. I shall be happy in the kitchen,” Peter said.

“As would I,” Miss Cooper agreed, drawing sharp disapproval from Lady Halverton.

“Margaret. I shall pretend such a thing was not said. No one is dressing for supper. I expect you both, and my mother-in-law will be disappointed if you don’t come.”

Miss Cooper sighed as she closed the harpsichord. “She is so winsome and makes it difficult to deny her. And I am fond of the dowager. I suppose we have no choice.”

Lady Halverton clapped in delight and began leading them to the dining room.

“How did you learn to play?” Peter could not keep the question as he and his apprentice settled into their seats.

“My mother ensured my education included all the niceties belonging to a lady.” Her tone was bitter. “I am grateful for this one, but almost all the rest were useless. I dance a little, sing poorly, watercolor inadequately. I can greet you in three languages. I do not enjoy reading, but at least I excel at needlecraft and sums, though ciphering I taught myself from necessity.”

Lord Halverton and his mother entered. At the sight of the dowager, everyone stood, but she went first to Miss Cooper, cupping her face and pronouncing her as capable as she was beautiful. “Louisa has shown me your work. You are as magnificent as I knew you would be.” The dowager turned to Peter, taking both his hands. “She has the best instructor in the world.”

A moment later, Samuel joined them, and the family started comfortably into the task of dining, Miss Cooper a natural addition to the party.

“It’s been months,” said Lady Halverton, “but I never asked if you discovered the identity of your valentine, Margaret.”

Peter thought she blushed.

“She hasn’t,” said Samuel, “but she loves him.”