Chapter Fourteen

The next day, Irene entered the drawing room as Elena, David, Sophie, and Goliath all sat enjoying the late afternoon sun. She walked in purposefully, opened her mouth, closed it, then turned around and exited the room. About two seconds later, she entered the room again, her jaw set. She looked around at everyone, then bit down on both lips, which, Elena had to admit, had a rather comic effect.

Sophie deigned to take pity on her. "Do these entrances have a point, dear?"

"Yes." Irene cleared her throat, then looked around the room as if she were telling a story to a young child, speaking in a slower-than-normal voice. "Yes. As some of you may have noticed, I have not particularly enjoyed the Season."

"From what I hear, that is an understatement." Sophie looked over at David and Elena, who looked at each other in shared guilt, then looked back at Irene, whose gaze was cast down as if studying the carpet

"We"—David nodded at Elena—"just noticed that Irene did not look as happy as she does, say, playing piano."

"As she should. Better to be making music than breaking bread with that pack of wolves," Sophie said with a sniff.

Irene looked up and glanced over at Sophie. "Do you mean that, Aunt Sophie?" she asked quietly.

"Why wouldn't I mean that? I always say what I mean."

"I can vouch for that." David chuckled.

Sophie shot David a look, clearly communicating that it was Irene's time to speak. He sat back and gestured for Irene to go on. Elena nodded at her, trying to look encouraging. Finally, they might discover why she had been so miserable all Season. Elena wracked her mind. It didn't seem to be a young man. Irene wasn't acting lovelorn and moping around all day. And Annie had told her no rumors were going around about Irene. Other than that some looked down on the family's background in trade and, of course, their marriage. Elena still felt guilty that she had brought any notoriety to Irene or David, but then, she couldn't control how people thought or what they said.

Irene took a seat and straightened out her skirts. Goliath rose from the carpet and put his head on Irene's lap as if giving her a little nudge of encouragement.

Irene paused to take a breath, then went on. "It's just funny you should say that, Aunt Sophie, because I think that is what I desire."

"Which is what?" asked David.

Irene answered slowly but held her head up, looking directly at her brother. "I've come to the conclusion that my dearest wish is to open a music school."

They sat in silence for several moments when finally David spoke.

"But, Irene," David began kindly. "You've never taught music before, not for a sustained period. And most tutors are male." He shifted as three pairs of female eyes found him, and his attention just happened to be drawn to something off in the distance to avoid their gazes.

"I don't plan to do much teaching. I can likely hire music teachers and tutors, and I would only plan to teach when I have time. Otherwise, my time would be spent running the school."

"But—"

"I've never run a school. I know, but I have to start somewhere, don't I? I am a quick learner. And I was hoping that, Aunt Sophie, you might help show me how to manage business affairs."

Sophie finally looked up. Her expression was unreadable. "How would you afford this, Irene?" she asked. "The Royal Academy has trouble enough, and they were chartered by the Crown."

"When I am at majority, I will gain access to some of what I inherited from Mama's family. And since the will did not specify it must go to a dowry, I would rather it go to this. And what is not coming from my inheritance, to start, I was hoping it could be an investment from family." She rushed to add, "While I hope to provide many scholarships, I would also charge those who could afford the lessons so that I would make something of a profit, I believe."

The corner of Sophie's mouth ticked up for a brief moment, but Elena blinked, and her face was stone again.

"If only I could spend the time until my majority learning from you, Aunt Sophie. And then, if I came up with a good plan, a plan that could really work, then I might borrow, or you might invest in the school. I want to have a mix of students of different ages and walks of life. It's difficult for women or anyone below the gentry or merchant class to access music lessons. Most gentlewomen and merchant-class women must learn from private tutors as I did. I want people who would not be able to learn how to play music to have the opportunity to learn." She looked over at Elena, who beamed back at her. Irene was changing her entire life so other people like Elena could learn how to play music. Elena felt something like a sob well up in her throat, but she swallowed and quickly covered it.

"I know I can't teach everyone for free. The Royal Academy had a similar issue, but perhaps, with your help, Aunt Sophie, I can figure out a plan that would work. There is still a great deal to think about, but I wanted to tell you what I've been thinking. I know you worried for me." Irene looked at David again, who seemed not to know what to say.

"I'll help you," Elena suddenly blurted out. The others looked at her sharply, and she lowered her head sheepishly. "After you have sorted this out with your aunt and brother, that is," she mumbled.

Sophie leaned forward, looking at Irene intently. "Irene. This will not be easy. You would likely need a board. You would need a very strong plan to account for expenditures. There is a chance this could fail and lose a great deal of money. You don't know if you have a head for business or organization."

"But don't you think it's time I found out?"

David and Elena looked over at Sophie, whose face finally cracked into a rare smile.

"I suppose there is no better way than to try. All right, Irene, if we work out a satisfactory plan, there is a chance I will invest or lend you the rest of the funds to start your school. Nephew, your thoughts?"

David took a deep breath. "Irene, this is not what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

David put his hand to his unscarred temple. "Not this. Look, this is a great deal to think through. Do you mind if I have a moment to talk to Elena?"

Irene and Sophie glanced at each other. "Why don't you play me something in the music room?" Sophie suggested.

Once the adjoining French doors closed and the sounds of notes began to drift in, Elena stood and moved over to her husband, running her hand down his back. She sat beside him, and he put his hand on her knee.

"Did you know she was thinking about this?"

Elena thought back over the past few weeks. "No, but we knew something was distracting her. Isn't this better than her being heartbroken or having some horrible rumor circulating about her?"

"I suppose it is, but this, this could change all our lives. She could fail. She might never marry."

"Would that be so bad? She would always have a place with us."

He looked up and found her eyes. Elena felt she was promising something at that moment but wasn't sure what, so she added: "Or she could live like Aunt Sophie. I know it will not always be easy, but she could do so much, David. And we could help her. What is the harm in having her make a plan to see if it is possible?"

He began to nod slowly, then with more enthusiasm. "You're right, of course. By St. George, you're right. No one ever did anything of worth without taking a chance."

Elena grabbed his hand, and while she felt the usual spark, she also felt the spark of possibility, the excitement that they could be a part of something bigger than themselves.

"It is a good idea," she said. "To help people who want to play music, young people. People who can't afford to or who have never had the opportunity." David's look was a little too knowing as she continued. "Could you, could we, help her financially? Would it be possible?"

"If Sophie is satisfied with the plan, then yes, we can afford to help her."

Elena threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, moving her to his lap. He angled his head in her hair, which she wore only partly pulled back as they were at home, and she could feel him sigh deeply against her hair. Suddenly, she became very aware of where she was and how their bodies were entwined.

Their happiness was beginning to shift into something darker when David murmured, "Let me go talk to Irene before I lose myself completely."

"Good idea." Elena grinned guiltily. David quickly kissed one of her dimples, and then she moved off his lap onto the settee as he rose using his cane. "I can't wait to see her face after you tell her."

"Oh, she's going to be smiling and smug for weeks. It will be terribly annoying."

Elena gave him a playful nudge, then shooed him off to talk to Irene. She felt such a happiness and pride in Irene, in this dream of the future. But, like so many of her feelings, it was tinged with sadness. How could she make plans here to help Irene when her family might still be out there? She was growing so weary of the cycle of hope and disappointment she had gone through these past few years. She wanted so badly just to be completely happy for Irene, to revel in the joy of someone discovering their life's calling, and to have that calling help others. Yet, she reasoned with herself, even the most blissful moments were always shaded with a little sorrow, for even at our happiest, a small voice always reminds us that happiness, like life, is fleeting.

****

David found his sister alone at the piano, as Sophie had already gone on to her rooms. He sat beside her at the piano bench, feeling Irene purposely not looking at him. After a moment, he began to play the top part of a song his mother had made up, a child's song he had taught Irene when she was little. Eventually, he heard the bottom part come in as Irene joined him. Even in this silly song, her advanced skill shone through. It was clear she far exceeded him as a pianist.

After they finished the song, he turned to her as she looked up at him, hopeful. "Renie, you realize if you take this path, you might never be able to marry amongst the ton?"

Irene answered him like she had practiced this part of what she was going to say.

"First, David, people, such as yourself, do get married outside of the ton and the Season. If Polite Society decides someone is too old or too inappropriate for the ton, that doesn't mean they have lost all value as a person. Second." She sighed and seemed to take a breath. "Second, this Season has convinced me of something. I am not sure I ever want to marry. And I don't say that as a na?ve girl or in missish indignation or anything. I never grew up wanting to be a wife or mother."

"You might feel differently if you fell in love."

Irene shrugged, tracing her fingers along the keys. "Maybe. But I would expect them to love me as I am and with what I do, or they are not worth loving back, are they?"

"Well said, Irene," he conceded with a dip of his head.

"Until Annie, Aunt Sophie was the only female I knew growing up. I would rather be like her than any fine lady of the ton."

"She is a rather unique individual."

"Well, not exactly like her, but I want her freedom and fearlessness. Aunt Sophie doesn't care what other people think. She travels, she knows the price of things, and she negotiates them. Because she is unmarried, all of her property, everything belongs to her." She played a short string of notes, then turned, looking him straight in the eye. "I think it could really help people, David, people like Elena who want to learn to play music but never would have had the opportunity."

While initially, this plan caused him a panic, he was coming to see more and more what a vision his sister had. He felt almost envious of her for that dream.

"Elena does so long to play the piano. I am trying to teach her, but--" He stopped abruptly as the erotic memories of their lessons took over his imagination. He ought to have another lesson with his wife very soon.

"She wants to help me, David. Please let her help me."

"Irene, I couldn't stop Elena if I tried. Wouldn't stop her. I don't have that right. I can't stop you either, so I suppose I'll have to help you. "

Irene linked her arm around his, laying her head on his shoulder for a moment, then returned her hands to the piano. She began to play the bottom part of their mother's song but sped up in tempo to a pace David could hardly keep. They played together, increasing the tempo at the end of each refrain until the notes were coming too fast for both of them. Irene laughed and then grew silent for a moment as she gave a fleeting look to the music room door as if looking past it.

"How lucky we were that she was by your sick bed when you woke up."

"I remind myself of that every day."

"You ought to thank me as well." Irene turned her gaze back to the keys, a mischievous smile upon her lips.

"You?"

"I've been your Joshua with the walls of Jericho."

"My Joshua?" David looked at her as if she was speaking in tongues. "Whatever can you mean?"

Irene looked at her hands as she played the melody of their mother's song using bass notes. She seemed satisfied by the outcome of that afternoon's conversations as she appeared relaxed and playful now that she had made her announcement.

"All those walls Elena has around her heart? I've been knocking them down for years, so now you only have a few remaining. You're welcome, Brother."

Irene shut the keyboard and gave a cryptic smile as she walked out of the room, leaving him in stunned silence.