Read Online B00BKPAH8O EBOK by Shannon Winslow - Free Book Online

as
possible. Since Mary was always in the schoolroom – a place that apparently
held no interest for the acting mistress of the house – it was easily done.
    She stood on
firmer ground with the children. Although Master Michael could be difficult and
Miss Gwendolyn defiant of late, they were predictably so and not beyond Mary’s
ability to manage. Being acquainted with the deficiencies of their father and
the early death of their mother, she could not be surprised by or even much
resent their misbehaviour. And Grace more than made up for the other members of
the family. For her sake, Mary was prepared to put up with the faults and
vagaries of all the rest.
    Her other
principal joy was her periodic music lesson, for which Mr. Farnsworth had
ultimately refused to allow her to pay. Monsieur Hubert came once every fortnight
and had students enough to fill an entire morning. Miss Farnsworth always took
the first lesson, followed by the children in no particular order, and then
lastly Mary.
    The music
master came according to his regular schedule the Tuesday Mr. Farnsworth was
away. Mary reported to him an hour earlier than usual, at the end of
Gwendolyn’s time.
    “Very good,
Miss Farnsworth,” said Monsieur Hubert with his familiar French accent, still
prominent even after spending more than a dozen years exclusively in England.
Although his looks were decidedly ordinary, even plain, he had a certain style
that elevated him above any danger of being referred to as commonplace. “That
will be all for today, I think. You must promise to practice more, however, or
you will never be as accomplished as the other young ladies.”
    Gwendolyn rose
from the instrument, bobbed her teacher a hurried curtsey, and left the room
saying, “Yes, Monsieur.”
    The
well-dressed man of five-and-thirty then turned his attention to Mary. “Ah,
Miss Bennet!” he sang out, bringing his hands together in a gesture of
mercurial delight. “Now I shall have the pleasure of hearing from my favourite
pupil. You put all the others to shame.”
    “Bonjour,
Monsieur,” she said, smiling demurely and coming forward. Mary had no
illusions. She assumed the music master must have many ‘favourite’ pupils, an
idea which gave no offense. No one could dislike this man of gentle charm and
grace, for there was a genuine warmth about him that melted away any irritation
that might otherwise have sprung from his little excesses. “I suppose you have
heard,” she continued, “that Michael is to be excused henceforth.”
    “ Oui , oui ,
so Miss Lavinia Farnsworth has informed me.” He clucked his tongue and shook
his head. “ Quel dommage ! It is ill-advised, certainement , but
what can one do? Not that the boy showed much promise, you understand. Still,
with time and hard work, something acceptable might have been achieved.”
    “My nephew
would make you a more eager pupil, Monsieur Hubert. I have just had a letter
from my sister, who is Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, reminding me to
ask if you would consider taking the boy on. I know it is a long way to travel,
but I am sure Mr. Darcy would be prepared to make it well worth your while.”
    “Ah, Derbyshire,
you say, Miss Bennet. Divine country, that, simply divine! And I have heard of
this place you call Pemberley. A very fine estate, I believe. Of what age is
this child, your nephew?”
    “He was five
September last, and very eager to learn, I am told.”
    “Well, then,
perhaps something might be arranged. For you, Miss Bennet, I will consider it.
Now then, shall we begin?”
    Mary did not
need to be asked twice. She seated herself at the revered instrument and waited
for further instructions.
    “The scales, I
think,” said Monsieur Hubert. “Begin with your scales, and then we will move on
to the Mozart.”
    Mary obediently
commenced the methodical exercise with both hands, running her fingers up the
keys for two octaves and then down again before moving on to the next scale in
the