Read Online Duke of Scandal (Moonlight Square, Book 1) by Gaelen Foley - Free Book Online Page A

some surprise musical guest was to appear tonight, his mind stayed on Felicity.
    If she did not arrive in short order, he supposed he should give up. Perhaps the weather had kept her indoors, he thought, already braced for disappointment. There was a steady drizzle tonight with gusts of wind and no stars.
    Just then, the composer himself came bustling over to his ensemble again, tension apparent on his lined face. Jason greeted him with a smile. “Surely you’re not nervous, Schroeder? I’m sure you’ll dazzle us, as always.”
    “Ah, Your Grace is very kind. Actually, sir…I would be obliged if you would listen for the key change at the end and tell me later on if you like it. I’m not sure if I should keep it.”
    “My good man, that is far too much flattery for a dilettante like me. Believe me, I shall be listening with pleasure, but I am in no way qualified to advise you in your art.”
    “Ah, but sir, my friend Giovanelli would argue that. He assures me Your Grace has an excellent ear.”
    “Humph.” Of course, Giovanelli would say anything to keep the money flowing. Sometimes Jason even wondered if the bleeder was faking his Italian accent. But curse him, he was just so amusing that Jason could never quite bring himself to toss the man out on his backside.
    “Tonight, sir, you see, it is the reaction of an educated audience member with taste that I desire most at this stage, not the critiques of my rivals,” Schroeder said confidentially.
    “Well, if you think it would help you, I shall listen intently and give you my honest opinion. Speaking of your rivals,” Jason added, “I am grateful that your piece was ready for this evening. I know the Pelletiers pride themselves on unveiling new music for the Season at this annual concert night of theirs. Giovanelli’s new string quartet was to have been finished in time for tonight, but he cried off at the last minute. Claims the muse is not cooperating.”
    “Ah, we have all had to wrestle the angel now and then,” Schroeder answered with a sympathetic shrug.
    Jason did not say as much, but Giovanelli had quite embarrassed him by missing his deadline. He feared the flamboyant Italian had a work ethic that was even worse than a duke’s.
    There was no getting around it. The contest among aristocrats for the honor of attaching one’s name to real talent through patronage was fierce, and in Herr Schroeder, Jason glumly had to admit that his neighbors had got the good one.
    He left the German to his mission with a smile. “Best of luck, ol’ man. I’m sure it will be splendid.”
    Schroeder bowed. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
    With an encouraging nod at the orchestral players, Jason withdrew, not wishing to pester them as they prepared for their performance. They had more important things to do right now than humor him.
    When he turned again toward the doorway, at last, his vision was rewarded with the sight of Felicity.
    She was just walking in alongside her chaperone, her cheeks still pink from the tossing of the wind outside, her golden blond hair fetchingly tousled.
    The sight of her nearly stole his breath.
    He was still slightly in knots over their conversation yesterday on her terrace. The merely friendly visit he had meant to pay her had taken a far more serious turn than he had expected. He couldn’t believe that she didn’t know how he really felt about her.
    But how could she? To him, his desire for her had been like a thorn stuck in his paw for years. He was constantly aware of it. But to her, all she saw was his pointed effort to stay away from her. As he’d always known he must. He had a frightfully low resistance to temptation. Best just to stay away. So why had he asked her to come here tonight?
    When she caught sight of him from across the room and sent him a little wave, the doubts and questions fled. He smiled at her, quickly striding over to her side to make her formal introductions to their hosts, since he gathered she did not know the