Read Online Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) by Donna Hatch - Free Book Online

she had created out of her portmanteau, coat, and shawl. “I, er, took a nap. I wanted to be fresh before performance.”
    “Not sleeping well at night?” Jane took a step closer.
    Susanna let out a little nervous laugh. “Not really, no.”
    Nora nodded sympathetically. “Are you new to London, then?”
    “Yes, I arrived from the country only two days ago. I suppose I’m pretty green.” Susanna ran her fingers along the harp’s curved neck, similar to her harp back home but with different carvings, and made with dark wood.
    Did she dare confide in these young women? If so, perhaps they could recommend a boarding house who might take her. Still, they were strangers. And Martha’s warnings of the jealous and competitive nature of professional musicians were fresh in her mind. Nora and Jane seemed friendly enough, not the type to poison a competitor, but Susanna vowed to be careful, regardless.
    Nora slid her cello off her shoulders and opened the case. “I never sleep well in a new place, either. Everything sounds and smells and feels different, it does.”
    “You brought your bag with you?” pressed Jane, glancing at Susanna’s portmanteau.
    Susanna flushed. “Yes, I always bring it.” She could think of no reasonable explanation so she gave none. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.” She picked up her tuner.
    “You, too,” Jane said. “I suppose as the only female members of the orchestra, we girls must stick together.”
    Susanna smiled, searching for the courage to ask if they knew of a place to stay. Other musicians filed in, talking and laughing. Jane and Nora chatted as they unpacked their instruments and warmed up. Susanna bit her lip. She had missed her chance. Perhaps after the performance.
    Covertly, she slid the items making up her makeshift bed under the harp bench before she began the lengthy process of tuning.
    “Are you feeling better, Miss Susanna?”
    She glanced up at a pair of warm brown eyes and her heart did several flips. Truly her angels must have guided her to such a kind and handsome gentleman. “Mr. Anson.”
    He smiled. “Kit, please.”
    She got so lost in his handsome face that she almost forgot to answer his question. “I am feeling better, thank you. And thank you again for your assistance today.”
    “My pleasure.” He shifted his grip on his violin case. “You mentioned you were new in town. If I can be of any assistance getting you settled, you have only to ask.”
    If he knew she had run away from home with little to her name and had slept last night in the streets next to a heap of refuse, he probably would not be so generous with his time. She dare not ask a man for recommendations for a woman’s boarding house. That simply wasn’t done.
    “Thank you, er, Kit.”
    He studied her a moment longer, offered a brief bow, and moved up front to speak with the conductor, Alex. Susanna allowed herself the luxury of admiring Kit, his striking face, his lean, almost graceful form, his confident stance but without the swagger of an arrogant womanizer, like Percy. Kit certainly had been kind to her, more so than other men of her limited acquaintance.
    Who was he? He spoke like a high born gentleman, and clearly had the benefit of an education. Of course, she daren’t ask such personal questions.
    “He’s certainly a feast for the eyes, isn’t he?” Jane smiled at her.
    Susanna didn’t know whether to be ashamed she had been caught mooning over him or relieved Jane shared her opinion. She settled for a guilty smile and a nod.
    Jane continued, “I declare the first time I played with the orchestra, I was so distracted by looking at him that I could hardly pay attention to the music. Too bad I’m not right next to him where I can see him better. Then again, maybe it’s just as well. I am married. Still, I have a good view from here.” She let out a lusty sigh.
    Susanna almost allowed herself a giggle before she stopped herself. Kit glanced back just then. Her face