“As do I,” he agreed, trying to sniff her with little success.
She seemed to act rather flirtatiously toward him as he took his seat. She leaned close as if adjusting her position, and he thought he smelled a sweet perfume, but it was difficult to tell, especially once the first course was served and the appetizing scent of food complicated the matter.
Still, the way she smiled and spoke with him, touching his arm several times, made him wonder.
Then there was Lady Caroline, who sat across the table from him and also seemed to send him interested looks.
He sat back in his chair and smothered a groan as the soup bowls were removed. Clearly, he was making himself mad with this endeavor. It would be better to allow the matter to play out naturally and see where it led.
The meal soon concluded, and once again, the ladies departed to leave the gentlemen to their port. Reverend Henderson’s voice rose from near the end of the table, drawing Joseph’s attention. He was speaking with Lord Weston, one of the older members of the party. The lord’s fierce expression suggested they were arguing about something, making Joseph wish he knew what they discussed.
A glance at the other end of the table showed Mr. Melbourne frowning as he looked at the two. Their host cleared his throat to gain the attention of everyone, including the two men.
It took a moment before the two noticed the silence that had descended and looked at Mr. Melbourne.
“The week will come to an end before we know it. Is there anything in particular you’d like to do tomorrow?” he asked.
Joseph wanted to mention that he’d appreciate a few minutes of Mr. Melbourne’s time per their previous conversation but held his silence. He had to hope Melbourne remembered.
Several of the gentlemen mentioned riding again in the morning, and Joseph agreed. That might give him the chance to speak with Melbourne.
Within half an hour, they joined the ladies in the music room, where they were deciding who would perform this evening.
Joseph’s gaze sought Harriet’s, his chest tightening when she immediately looked at him again. The confirmation of a connection of some sort between them pleased him more than he could say. He smiled, hoping she was among those performing. He welcomed the opportunity to have a reason to watch her.
Miss Melbourne appeared a little anxious with her hands clasped tightly before her and a hint of color in her cheeks. She often seemed overwrought or uncomfortable. Her obvious shyness caught his sympathy. It wasn’t an easy quality to overcome.
As if she, too, felt the weight of his regard, Miss Melbourne looked at him, her cheeks growing even brighter.
He smiled, hoping to ease her angst and offer encouragement. The overly bright smile she offered in return was perplexing, even concerning. Surely, he hadn’t given her the wrong impression.
Though she seemed nice, she didn’t spark the same reaction in him that Harriet did. That was one more reason to be careful in his query to discover who was writing the messages.
“This should be interesting,” Joseph said as Connolly stood beside him.
Connolly cast him a doubtful look. “I’m always fearful of these kinds of evenings. Can’t say that I care for music much. Why is it always the less-than-talented who are eager to perform?”
Joseph chuckled as he’d witnessed that as well. “We’ll hope that isn’t the case tonight.”
Everyone took their seats and the conversation subsided when Lady Winifred took the seat at the pianoforte with Miss Melbourne standing nearby to turn the music pages. Lady Winifred proved to be quite talented, and the piece was enjoyable.
Next, Miss Melbourne took a seat, careful to avoid looking at the guests and keeping her focus on the music. He was surprised that she played so well considering her shyness. Yet it was as if the music took her away, and she was able to set her nerves aside and simply play. Sinclair appeared to be equally entranced by her piece.
For the next piece, Martin joined his sister, and they sang while their mother played. The song was a touching one, and they invited everyone to join in the last chorus.
To his delight, Harriet played next, and he watched with his heart pounding all the harder. It was clear she was a little nervous, perhaps not used to performing before so many.
She sang as she played, her voice growing more confident as the song continued. While Martin and his sister had done well, Harriet put even more heart into her performance.
He almost felt as if she were singing to him and was touched by the piece. It was all he could do to hold back from standing to clap when she finished.
“That was spectacular,” Connolly said with awe in his tone.
Joseph couldn’t agree more. What a surprise Harriet continued to be. What else might she keep hidden?