“Wait, I want to know why you ran away. Who was that man?”

“Mr. Jonathan Atwater, of Atwater and Herrick, a publishing house. Mr. Atwater is also a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.”

“He didn’t threaten you in any way?”

“No, no, nothing like that. He was a very kind gentleman. He was quizzing me about similarities between the sonata I played tonight and a movement of a symphonic work entered into a competition hosted by the Royal Society under the name of Mr. Vincent Beam.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

The secret was probably out now. She couldn’t hide it anymore. “I’m Mr. Beam.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m Mr. Vincent Beam. I entered the competition under a male pseudonym. And I won second place.”

“Didn’t Mr. Atwater know it was you?”

“I never claimed my prize and I never revealed my identity.”

“Whyever not?”

“It’s . . . complicated.”

“Why did you enter the contest under a male pseudonym?”

“I shouldn’t have done. I was inspired by my bold, fearless friends. India, Duchess of Ravenwood, has dedicated her life to uncovering the stories of women throughout history who have been overlooked, forgotten, and whose accomplishments have sometimes been erroneously attributed to men. She had just infiltrated the Society of Antiquaries in male clothing, and I thought to follow her example, on a much smaller and less risky scale, by submitting the symphonic work to the competition. I honestly never thought it would win. But when it came time to collect the prize, to reveal myself, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m not as intrepid as my friends.”

He guided her into a secluded bower and gently pulled her onto an ironwork bench next to a burbling fountain. “Viola.” He clasped both of her hands and gazed at her earnestly. “I think that you should take credit for your work. And that you should allow it to be published. It would be a great gift to the world.”

With the soft scent of flowers around them, the soothing liquid accompaniment of the fountain, and his hands warm and strong, cradling hers, she allowed herself to imagine, just for one moment, what that would be like. A world where she was more fearless, and more focused on herself, on her accomplishments, instead of always nurturing those of others.