New to the District

Edward settled comfortably in his chair.

"I try to give what is due, ma'am."

He tilted his head and listened to the sound of her playing. She had not been exaggerating when she had proclaimed herself skilled in the art; it was noticeable even in the way she made herself acquainted with the instrument.

"It seems very well positioned and tuned as well. Whoever owns this establishment seems intent to provide their guests with all amenities."

Emma nodded. "He has even provided the music, too," she said, finding the sheet music she needed and putting it on the stand before beginning to play. She had the confidence that came from practising daily, and although this was not the first time she had ever played for someone outside her family, it was a little strange only playing for one person, who was not even related.

It did not matter, however; she enjoyed playing and this was a particular favourite tune of hers too.

Edward listened silently and intently, not in the way of a critic, but of somebody storing away the memories of a treat. He had always liked the way Beethoven's music could conjure pictures and paint landscapes, and to hear it so charmingly rendered without the tedious social ties of a musicale or a house party made this experience unique.

Even after she had finished, he remained unmoving for a moment, still caught in the music.

Her hands rested lightly on the piano keys once she had finished playing. She was not quite sure she dared to look in Captain Torrington's direction, or what she would see if she did. It had been very pleasant to play for somebody else, without the usual pressures and expectations of performing for a select few after dinner or at some other social occasion.

"I hope... I hope my playing met your expectations, sir," she ventured after a moment.

He slowly stood up and came over to the instrument, quietly smiling at her.

"It did. Thank you. "

One corner of his mouth kicked up.

"I don't think I will forget the title of that sonata ever again. You were right. It is a very beautiful piece of music, and your playing did it justice."

He looked at the sheets of music lying on the piano, then suddenly pulled one from it.

"Do you know this one, by chance? Rondo alla ingharese quasi un capriccio? Die Wut über den verlorenen Groschen, ausgetobt in einer Caprice. He certainly finds colourful names for his works."

"Oh, he does, does he not?." She took the score for the Moonlight Sonata and laid it aside. "I am not so fluent in speaking German as is my brother. Let me see..." She took the sheet he was holding and smiled. "Oh, of course." She placed it on the stand. "I am not a virtuosa, sir, I hope you do not expect a flawless performance, although I shall make as few mistakes as I may."

She placed her hands lightly on the keys again to play the requested piece for him.

He smiled back reassuringly.

"As I'm boldly requesting difficult pieces of music at a moment's notice, I will be more than delighted with anything you offer; as long as you find it neither a bore nor a trial to play, I will engage to enjoy it."

"I do practise every day, sir," she said, with a smile, before turning her focus to performing the Captain's request as well as she could do.

He stayed at the piano this time, ready to turn the pages for her, should she wish it.

She smiled and began playing, her fingers flying over the piano keys. It really was quite a difficult tune, of course - so fast! - and yet it gave her a peculiar sort of pleasure, knowing that the Captain thought so well of her playing that he considered her capable of it.

Edward watched her nimble fingers, enjoyed the lively, passionate music. Occasionally he bend forward to turn the page, but otherwise he didn't move, simply listened. One time he nearly missed a turn even, and had to act very quickly, giving her an apologetic smile for disturbing her concentration thus.

She nearly lost her place when Captain Torrington was late turning the page, but managed to find it again without making too bad a mistake. This piece really did require a lot of concentration, and she was glad that she had practised it before, and that she did practise every day.

She came to the end of the piece and looked up, hoping that her performance had been creditable.

He smiled and offered her a small bow.

"You were wrong before, you know. You are a virtuosa."

"Now I know you are teasing me, sir," she replied, a becoming blush tingeing her cheeks as she looked up at him. "You are very kind to say so, however."

He grinned.

"Only the tiniest bit. But I wouldn't if your playing hadn't indeed be extraordinary. Not even my clumsiness could diminish it."

He looked at her for a moment, taking in her animated face, then suddenly laughed out loud.

"Oh, bother. Do you think that house will also provide a ball if we wish for it?"

"A ball?" Her eyes widened. "There are only two of us here, it would be impossible to have a ball of any sort with only two people." She smiled. "Unless of course you mean something like a cricket ball."

He laughed as well.

"Yes, however comfortable this house is, it seems to lack many guests. Apart from the servants, we haven't seen a single soul yet."

"It is very quiet. Maybe nobody else has found their way here, though?" She gave a demure shrug. "Or maybe they simply do not want to disturb us?"

Samuel walked down a hallway inside the strange inn in which he now found himself, irritated that he had yet not met anyone who could tell him where he was. Truth to tell, he had not found anyone period, which annoyed him all the more.

Earlier, he had been out riding and had been in the process of heading back home. At least, he had thought he had been. For some reason, he had found himself in completely unfamiliar territory. Upset at having gotten lost--and certain that it was through no fault of his own--he had ridden up to the first building he came across, which happened to be this odd place.

Still having found no one, he opened a door and peered into the room--and was decidedly pleased to see that there were people inside. A man and a woman.

"Well thank heavens!" he exclaimed upon seeing them, "I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one wandering inside this rather strange place--whatever this place may be. I do hope you can enlighten me as to my whereabouts. I am quite perturbed at being so confused."

Edward bowed, his face once again the cool, polite facade.

"I regret to say that we do not know where we are either. I'm Captain Torrington, at your service, and until an hour ago I was in Northern Portugal."

His eyes flickered to Emma for a moment, silently asking whether she wanted to be introduced, stay anonymos or perhaps even do the honours herself.

In northern Portugal? Samuel resisted the urge to chuckle. Surely the man had been drinking, or perhaps he was mad. They were in Wiltshire, for goodness sake, somewhere not far from the Woodmarsh family estate. I knew I had ridden a good ways, but somehow I doubt I rode all the way down to Portugal, Samuel thought, yet he did not voice this sentiment. He did not know anything about Torrington and if he was a man of influence, it would not do to offend him, even if he was a raving lunatic.

"A pleasure, Captain Torrington. I am Samuel Woodmarsh, son of the Viscount Woodmarsh." He gave a slight bow in Torrington's direction, then gave a much more pronounced bow towards the lady who, as yet, had not introduced herself. That would not do, especially not if she was unmarried. Even in these strange circumstances, Samuel was not about to pass up a chance to meet a potential matrimonial candidate. Putting on his most charming smile, he inquired, "And who might you be, miss?"

Ah. One of those types. She drew herself up stiffly. "I, sir, am the Honourable Miss Emma Vickery, daughter of the Viscount Saltash, and I would thank you to mind your manners, sir!"

She had barely met the young man, but she infinitely preferred Captain Torrington, who struck her as being far more gentleman-like, courteous and polite. 'Miss' indeed, as though she were a common shop-girl!

At that moment the door opened again and another gentleman stepped into the room, though he paused on the threshold seeing that all three occupants were strangers, one of which a quite attractive young lady. The other two were clearly gentlemen, though one a civilian and the other earing to uniform of an officer of the Royal Engineers. Not having been introduced he smiled, addressing himself to the room in general.

"Forgive me, gentlemen - madam - I heard music downstairs in the snug and was curious to find its source. Am I correct in assuming that you are all three just arrived?"

"Very recently so, sir," she said, immediately rising to the occasion. The newcomer looked very distinguished, although plainly dressed. He had an air of command, of confidence, about him. He was very striking to look at, although maybe his most striking feature was his Roman nose.

She rose from her seat at the pianoforte. "I am sorry, sir. The usual rules of... of etiquette seem..." She looked around. "Unless you might know one of these two gentleman here who could introduce us, I fear we shall have to introduce ourselves, shocking as that thought is."

"Not nearly so shocking as to be thought impossible, madam - in which case I shall act as my own Master of Ceremonies," Wellesley said smiling, shooting a sideways glance at the Engineer. "Though I suspect the captain may know of me by sight."

He was pleasantly surprised by the young lady taking the intiative - and with such courtesy too! She must be of good family to have done so with any elegance or confidence. He bowed.

"May I introduce myself; General Sir Arthur Wellesley, of His Majesty's Forces in the Peninsula."