“Daniel…”
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry about…the red dress.”
Daniel pressed his lips to her cheek. “I love the red dress. But from now on you’ll wear it only for me. Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Good. I love you, my beautiful Lily,” he said, and kissed her gently on the mouth.
“I love you too, Daniel. Always.”
Chapter 19
Cameron Price wasn’t sure whether he should be honored or angered when the Duke of Lybrook demanded his presence at Laurel Ridge Estate in the middle of the afternoon. He couldn’t afford to waste the precious hours of daylight that were better spent tending his farm, preparing the ground for planting, which would begin within a fortnight. Yet here he was, being led by a stiff butler to the private study of the duke himself.
“Mr. Cameron Price, Your Grace,” the butler said.
“Thank you, Crawford. Please come in, Price.”
The duke sat behind an ornately carved mahogany desk. He gestured to a pair of lush leather chairs. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Cameron sat, inhaling the zesty aroma of the fine grain cowhide. This had to be the most comfortable chair he had ever sat in. “I’m a bit confused as to why you summoned me.”
“I can imagine. First, how is your family?”
“They’re fine. Thank you for asking.”
“I understand you met my future wife several days ago.”
“
Yes. We were all quite sorry to hear about her accident and very glad to know that she’s on the mend.”
“No more so than I, Price, which brings me to why I have asked you here. I would like to hire you.”
Cameron jerked in his seat. “For what purpose?”
“I would like to commission a waltz for Lily, for our first dance as man and wife.”
“I’m flattered, Your Grace, but I hardly think I am qualified.”
“You’re a published composer, are you not?”
“Well, yes, but, my work is more… That is, I’m not sure…”
“I’ll be the judge. I happen to have copies of both of your pieces here, one of which, I believe, is a waltz?”
“Yes.”
“It has a haunting quality that I like.”
“For a wedding waltz, though, you’ll want something more joyful?”
“Yes, of course. I want it written for Lily.” The duke let out a breath. “This is difficult for me to say, since you and I don’t know each other very well, but I need you to know the circumstances so that you can compose the right type of music. Lily came into my life and taught me how to love again. She showed me beauty and kindness and laughter. I want the music to portray those feelings. It will be my wedding gift to her.”
“That’s a tall order, Your Grace.”