Page 67 of The Duke’s Duet

"What happened to that man, Mother? The one who gave you music boxes and believed in love?"

"Fear happened. Fear of scandal, of society's disapproval, of somehow damaging the family's position." Her fingers traced the box's intricate patterns. "He chose what he thought was right, what duty demanded. But I've often wondered if duty truly demanded such complete surrender of joy."

“I see…”

She closed the box carefully, the music cutting off mid-phrase.

"Miss Piper leaves for Italy in the morning. The ship sails with the first tide."

"I know."

The words emerged barely above a whisper.

"Do you also know that she left something here? That piece you composed for her - she asked her sister to keep it safe." His mother's eyes held his steadily. "She couldn't bear to take it with her, she said. I suspect that she couldn't bear to have such a perfect expression of what might have been."

Harper's heart seemed to stop in his chest.

"She said that?"

"She didn't have to. I saw it in her eyes when she spoke of leaving. The same look I used to see in your father's eyes when he remembered what music once meant to him." She set the music box aside. "The same look I see in your eyes now, when you play her favourite pieces."

Moving to the door, she paused.

"The world has changed since my day, since your father's fears turned him to stone. The war showed us that courage comes in many forms, that worth isn't always found where we expect it." Her voice softened. "Sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is reach for what others say is impossible."

She slipped away, leaving Harper alone with the dying light and the echo of that Italian melody. His fingers found the keys again, but this time they shaped a different tune - the one he'd composed for Melody, the one she couldn't bear to take with her.

Every note seemed to ask a question.

Was his mother right?

Did he have the courage to reach for what he truly wanted?

Could duty and desire find harmony together, as he and Melody had done in their performances?

The clock in the hall struck eight, each chime a reminder that time was running out. That somewhere in London, Melody was preparing for tomorrow's journey, believing that duty and position were stronger than love and music.

Unless...