Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel by G.G. Vandagriff Read Free Book Online

I met in the park yesterday. He does not know I am lame, and says he missed me at the ball.”
    The next envelope had an embossed family crest. She pulled it open with her thumb.
    I have not words of my own, so I quote:
    “She walks in beauty, like the night
    Of cloudless climes, and starry skies;
    And all that’s best of dark and bright
    Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
    Thus mellowed to that tender light
    Which heaven to gaudy day denies.”
    Byron, of course.
    Angel, you have given me a gift so rare I cannot find the phrases to describe it. But Byron almost has the words to define you in your black silk and cameo. The orchid symbolizes your rarity.
    With my heart,

Frank
    Sophie read it through twice. “Do I believe this?” she asked, handing Fanny the note.
    Her sister read it through, “I think so, dearest. Frank is honestly smitten. He read English Literature at Oxford and no doubt feels his own words insufficient. But in fact, his own words are the most eloquent. And the flower is exquisite. We must put it by the piano so that you can see it when you rehearse today.”
    “Oh, Fan.” She hugged her sister close. “I am moved, but frightened at the same time.”
    “Believe what he says, dear. He means it.”
    “But it has happened so fast.”
    “And you are feeling vulnerable from head to toe, I know.” Her sister hugged her back.
    Sophie panicked, “What time is it? The Carstairs are coming to rehearse this morning!”
    “I woke you in time, dear. And had Sally fill a bath for you.”
    ~ ~*
    When the Carstairs arrived, they were once more effusive in their praise of Fanny’s new piano.
    “How I shall love to play on such an instrument!” Bella said.”Mine is not nearly so fine. Your sister must be a wonderful pianist to have such a piano.”
    “She plays only a little. They bought it mostly for me, I think. My brother-in-law is all that is kind. And if the Marquis does a thing, he does it well, so I am not surprised that it is so fine. Now, the two of you must have had something in mind for us to play.”
    Joseph produced a bundle of sheet music. “I purchased this just this morning. Have you heard of the Archduke Trio?”
    “Mr. Ffolkes told me of it! He had played it with a trio in London last year. He said it was very elegant. It is Herr van Beethoven, is it not?”
    “Yes,” Bella said. “The Piano Trio in D major. It shall be a challenge, and I am always excited by a challenge. But I think with this short period to rehearse, we should just prepare to play the fourth movement. It is challenge enough for now.”
    Sophie agreed. After looking at the music, she felt the same way herself.
    “Well. Let us begin,” Joseph said. “Bella, play us the melody, so we may get it in our heads.”
    Sophie enjoyed the rehearsal intensely. How right Fan had been to encourage her to come to London to play with other musicians! Playing alone with her master had been lovely, but it was nothing to enjoying Beethoven with this pair of excellent musicians.
    Sophie craved this composer’s works with an appetite that always surprised her. Mozart was lovely, and the piece she played last night unusually so. But Beethoven touched something inside her that had never been touched before. It made her brave. It was his music that had actually given her the courage to come to London, to find other people who felt as she did.
    They rehearsed until Fan came in to invite them to sit down to luncheon.
    “Oh! Is it so late?” Bella asked. “We would not trespass on your hospitality!”
    “Bella, you are my friends. Of course I want you to stay for luncheon,” Fanny said. “I cannot have starving musicians on my hands.”
    During luncheon, the talk was all of music.
    “What is it about Beethoven?” Sophie asked the musicians. “I love all his music. It takes me in unexpected directions. It makes me feel new emotions. I cannot explain it.”
    “He is the greatest musical genius the world has ever known,” Joseph