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

to their
feet applauding as Lady Jillian finished.   She curtseyed and blushed as any young lady should do.  
    “Your voice is enchanting, Lady
Jillian,” Felding said as he drew to the young woman’s side.
    Lady Jillian blushed further. “Thank
you, Lord Felding.”
    “I hope you will honor us with another
song.”
    Rosalind stifled a groan but kept the
pleasant expression on her face.   She was
simply jealous of Lady Jillian which she must learn to overcome.   Such a petty emotion would gain her nothing.
Besides, it wasn’t as if Felding would ever consider her for the position in
which he was considering Lady Jillian nor should he. Felding was a lord, and
she was the daughter of missionaries .  

 
    * * *

 
    Noah let Lady Jillian’s voice sweep over
him.   Pure and clear, unlike anything he
had heard before.   Her voice rivaled
those he had heard at the opera, and he envisioned evenings with this entire
family gathered in the music room with Phoebe playing while Lady Jillian
sang.  
    He led her across the room while the
next singer prepared. “Have you met my sister, Lady Sandlin?”
    “Yes, last spring.” Lady Jillian smiled
sweetly. “I’ve heard that nobody can match her playing.”
    “That is true,” Noah agreed. “Miss
Valentine is the only person who has come close.”
    The smile dimmed in Lady Jillian’s eyes.
What had he said wrong? He was only stating a fact.
    He pulled her further away from the
crowd and toward the fireplace where Penelope and Miss Valentine had stood
earlier.   “However, I’ve yet to hear
anyone sing as beautifully as you.”
    A slight blush stole into her cheeks.
“Thank you, Lord Felding.”
    “Did your parents hire an instructor, or
do you come by singing naturally?”   He
wasn’t sure if there were singing instructors for ladies. He had hired a dance
instructor for his sisters before their first Season, and he knew there were
music instructors as well though Phoebe learned to play without the assistance
of anyone. Nobody had ever suggested a vocal instructor.   Was that something he should have looked into
for his sisters?   Certainly his
step-mother would have mentioned hiring one if she deemed it necessary.
    “I was taught to read music,” Lady
Jillian answered. “My mother hoped I would learn to play the piano, but I
preferred singing.”
    “For which I am pleased,” Noah smiled.
“Nobody should be denied the chance to hear your voice.”
    Her blush deepened. “You are too kind.”
    The first notes of the next song were
struck, and Noah turned toward the performer.   She was the younger sister of a friend.   She had also chosen a ballad, but her voice wasn’t near as lovely as
Lady Jillian’s. Noah doubted there would be another performer who would compare
to the performance he just heard. In fact, he would be pleased not to hear
another vocalist this evening and simply enjoy listening to Miss Valentine
play.   However, there were three more
ladies anxious to perform, and he would listen politely as they did.
    “She has a sweet voice,” Lady Jillian
said when the young woman had finished.
    “Not as sweet as yours,” Noah murmured
for only her ears.
    A pleased smile graced Lady Jillian’s
lips as the next performer took her place beside the piano.
    Unlike the first time she played, Miss
Valentine did not look up from the music once but concentrated on the paper
before her anticipating the rhythm of the singer at her elbow. Other than that
one mistake, she didn’t hit a single incorrect key, and Noah found himself
watching Miss Valentine instead of the singers. A small smile played on her
lips, but that was the only sign of emotion. Nor did she speak except for when
she and the singer whispered about the song before the performance.   It was good of Phoebe to have encouraged Miss
Valentine to visit with Penelope.   She
was much too lovely to be left on a nursery floor with children.  
    He glanced about the room to the
gentlemen