Read His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time) for Free Online Page A

the
pianoforte.   She settled on the small
bench and situated her hands above the keys.   She tested a few then ran through a scale. Up one end of the keyboard
and back down to the other, she sighed and relaxed.
    “Miss Hardgrave,” Lady Meadows addressed
a young brunette Noah had made the acquaintance of last spring. “Would you like
to go first?”
    A shy smile graced the young woman’s
lips, and she came forward and placed the music before Miss Valentine.   The two exchanged words Noah could not hear
and a moment later, with fingers poised above the keys, Miss Valentine began to
play soon followed the melodic alto of Miss Hardgrave.
    Noah didn’t so much listen to the singer
but more to the smooth transition between the notes played by Miss
Valentine.   He had forgotten how well she
played. He knew no one who played better other than Phoebe.
    Miss Valentine glanced up from her music
for a mere moment and their eyes met.

 
    Five

 
    Rosalind didn’t really need to look at
the music before her. It was a song she had played several times in the past
and knew it from memory. By the middle of the song her heartbeat had returned
to its normal rhythm, and her hands had relaxed making it easier to play.   How many more singers would wish to take
their turn? She glanced up to count the number of young ladies and gentlemen
who held music, but her eyes met Felding’s.  
    His gaze was full of warmth, and
Rosalind heated. He was simply being polite when he suggested she play, but a
part of her was thrilled. She couldn’t help herself and returned his
smile.   Her eyes shifted to Lady Jillian
standing beside Felding. The lady’s expression was not as pleasant. In fact, it
was almost hateful and focused solely on her.  
    Rosalind struck three wrong keys before
she dropped her head and concentrated on the music.   Goodness. Why had Lady Jillian looked at her
in such a manner? Had she offended her somehow?
    Rosalind tried to put it from her mind
but could not and was still thinking about the cold gaze as the song
ended.  
    Miss Hardgrave moved to remove the music
from before Rosalind. She glanced up at the young woman. “I am so sorry to have
made a mistake.”
    Miss Hardgrave laughed and shrugged. “It
is no bother. We are simply enjoying ourselves.”
    Inwardly, Rosalind breathed a sigh of
relieve. At least Miss Hardgrave wasn’t upset, but why had Lady Jillian looked
at her in such a manner?
    Lady Penelope moved from the fireplace
and lifted the stack of music off the edge of the piano before settling in the
chair closest to Rosalind and proceeded to thumb through the selection. Was she
going to participate after all?
    “Who would like to go next?” Lady
Meadows called out.   Rosalind could only
hope she made no more mistakes.
    “I will,” Lady Jillian announced.
    Rosalind prayed even harder her fingers
were light, quick, and mistake free.
    Lady Jillian placed the music before
Rosalind and opened it before leaning down.   “Do keep your eyes on the music this time,” she whispered. “There is no
one in this room for which you should
have a concern.”
    Heat stole into Rosalind’s cheeks. “I
will do my best.”
    “See that you do.”   Lady Jillian straightened, smiled sweetly,
and Rosalind began to play.   It was
another song she knew well, yet she didn’t let her eyes stray form the music before
her.   She had never been so humiliated.   The only thing that made this situation worse
was the clear soprano voice of Lady Jillian.   Rosalind had never heard the likes of it before.
    Rosalind didn’t look, but she suspected
Lady Jillian was singing to Felding. Her body was turned in his direction, and
she sang a love ballad.   Rosalind willed
herself to keep her eyes on the sheets in front of her. She did not want to
know his reaction to Lady Jillian.   Tonight was becoming difficult enough without adding the pain of seeing
him fall under Lady Jillian’s spell.
    Those who had been seated came