Richard cocked an eyebrow at this and fought a wicked smile. It was contagious and I dropped my gaze to keep from rupturing my composure. “I have.”

“I won’t regale you with the details, but let me assure you she’s a second-rate performer who has elbowed her way into the music world on the strength of her connections. Quite amateurish as a performer, though.”

“Indeed? Is that what they’re saying?”

He leaned close. “She’s been seen sidling up to wealthy gents at events like this, and I’m certain that’s how she manages to secure performances.”

My skin chilled. “Well, now. It seems the woman has no redeeming qualities.”

“Quite as I see it.” A smile curled the ends of his mustache. “Pray tell, what’s your name?”

“You won’t like the answer to that.” I placed my now-empty cup on a passing tray and glanced toward the pianoforte. Almost time.

“It’s no matter what your connections are or aren’t. For such unusual beauty, I can forgive the lack. Would you welcome a call from me sometime?”

I pressed my lips together. “I’m afraid you won’t like the answer to that, either.”

His look of confusion behind his terrible white smile made me want to laugh.

Just then the crowds hushed, and the host, a noble older gentleman with several medals decorating his black cutaway coat, stood before his guests to announce the night’s entertainment. His dramatic introduction culminated in the mention of my name, and there was applause.

Worries slipped off my shoulders as I approached the mahogany pianoforte, a stately Erard with smooth, polished surfaces and gold lettering. I let my fingertips trail over the ivories with a little shiver. Hello, beautiful.

I perched upon the fringed stool, positioned and ready, and delighted in that one perfect moment of quiet anticipation. Then the music found me, curling my fingers and compelling them over the keys. Everything fell away in a swirl of sound for the next twenty minutes, and I forgot the very troubles I’d just been pondering.

At the conclusion I rose to applause, fully revived and at peace, my heart filled with the great creations of genius composers who’d come before me.

The first face I saw in the crowd as my heart floated back to earth was the marquis’s. My instinctual politeness drummed up a cool smile in return to his stare, but he averted his eyes and melted into the crowd, never to accost me with his attentions again.

At this, I smiled for real.

Until I saw the older man again, the one who’d been studying me, approaching from the left. I spoke to a few more people on the way, but soon I turned to him and drew up a most charming welcome. “Begging your pardon, but have we been introduced?”