What did I expect? Very well. I shall try to be his younger sister, but I doubt I shall ever think of him as an older brother.
“What shall I learn next, Ale?” Vexed, she bit her lower lip until she felt the pain.
“So much. Beethoven sonata in C# minor key, so you must practice the C# minor scale, arpeggio, and chord progression.” He moved to the bench. “We need two pianos. I will tell Darcy.”
She walked around him to the chair. “Will that not crowd the room?”
He laughed. “Is a music room. We need two pianos. Not so many chairs and tables.”
For the next few minutes, he demonstrated the scales and arpeggios. “Two octaves up, two apart, two back together, two down. At speed. One twenty. Use a metronome. Then chord progressions. C# minor, F# minor, G# minor7. See?”
Mary went to the desk, returning with paper and pencils. “Let me write all this down, for I shall never remember all of it if I do not.”
“You do not know scales?”
“I know the scales and arpeggios for the major keys – C, G, D, A, E, F, and B flat – but no more.”
“No chord progressions, no other major keys or minor keys?” He was astounded. “’ow do you play? You know the Circle of Fifths?”
I had no idea I was so ignorant. “I have never heard of that, but I can read music. I simply don’t know all the scales and arpeggios.”
He muttered an unintelligible string of Italian. “No matter. I will teach you.”
She raised an eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips. “Can you conjugate English verbs? Construct a sentence properly? Pronounce the words correctly? Say your h’s?”
Landini chuckled. “No, Maria. I am not smart like you.”
“No matter. I teach you,” she said gruffly, mimicking him as she gathered her paper and pencils. “Come to the desk with me, Ale. Bring your chair.”
After an hour side-by-side at the desk, he had a full sheet of work to do, and she had her music assignment for the following day.
Chapter 4
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy
The days passed quickly, and before Mary realized it, nearly three weeks had passed during which she had daily sessions with Senor Landini. Her playing had improved drastically, as had his English.
She practiced for several hours each day, and her maestro was profuse with his praise.
Her confidence grew under his tutelage, and, though she tried not to allow herself to think such a thing, his marked attentions had nearly convinced her that he felt more for her than one normally felt for a student.
And during those three weeks, she had fallen in love with her teacher. What shall I do when he leaves? How shall I live out my life in Meryton without Ale?
Those worries were for another time. For now, I must store up memories to last me a lifetime and be thankful that I know what it is to love such a man.
Mary awoke with a smile when her maid bustled in and opened the drapes in her room. She sat up and stretched. “Good morning, Susan.”
“Good morning, miss. I have ordered your tea and toast, for I know you’ll be rushing to the music room as you do every morning.”
Mary chuckled. “I have become quite predictable, it seems.”
“Let’s get you dressed. I laid out your blue gown, for it brings out the color in your eyes.”
“Truly? I never heard such a thing before,” Mary replied. “You are very kind.”
“Me?” Susan answered, smiling. “I say what I think, miss. You are truly lovely, and your morning practices cheer the entire household.”
“What? You can hear me? I always close the door,” Mary exclaimed as she climbed out of bed, allowing Sally to help her dress.
Susan laughed quietly. “Miss Mary, you have been playing for an audience for more than a week now. Everyone finds some excuse to be in the hallway outside the music room in the mornings.”
Mary blushed a deep red. Shocked, she brought her hands to her face. “Please, tell me you are joking. I begin with scales, chord progressions, and arpeggios. Then I practice a section at a time, or even one phrase over and over. No one could enjoy listening to that.”
“We all manage to be there for the last half hour, miss. We noticed that’s when you play the entire piece. ‘Tis truly wonderful.” Susan patted Mary’s hand. “Your teacher seems to be very pleased with you every afternoon. He always leaves with a smile and a tip of his hat.”
“He is a friendly man. He is pleasant to everyone.”
“As you say, Miss,” replied Susan, nodding with a twinkle in her eyes.
It was nearly time for luncheon when Mary heard voices raised in excitement. She left the pianoforte and rushed into the hallway, overjoyed to see Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, with Elizabeth and Darcy.
“Mary!” exclaimed Georgiana, quickly removing her bonnet, coat, and gloves, handing them to a footman before embracing her. “I am so happy to see you! Both Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam have written to me, in raptures about your visit.”
“Let me look at you,” answered Mary, stepping back to admire her friend. “You grow lovelier each time I see you.”
Georgiana smiled brightly. “As do you, my dear Mary. I hear you have been working diligently at your instrument. We shall have such fun playing duets. Perhaps Fitzwilliam will host a musical evening while we are together.”
“What a wonderful idea! Do you not think so, husband?” Elizabeth asked, turning to Darcy.
He smiled. “Bingley and his wife will be here after their child is born. I feel certain they would enjoy it, too.”
“I had a letter from Jane this morning,” Elizabeth replied. “They shall be in London after Christmas.” Her smile deserted her. “Caroline Bingley will come with them, and Mrs. Hurst is already in Town.”
Mary looked troubled. “Must we invite our brother’s sisters to our evening? I am not inclined to play in front of them again. The experience was most unpleasant at the Netherfield ball.”
Darcy sighed. “I am sorry, Mary, but I see no possible way to avoid extending the invitation without being rude.”
“Unless,” Elizabeth said, “they have a previous engagement. Perhaps someone will ask the sisters to dine that evening. One can but hope, and we might send our invitation very late. I could tell Jane to reserve the date but share the information with no one except her husband.”
Georgiana grinned. “Your plan is remarkably similar to what Caroline and Louisa would do themselves. I like it.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “There must be a better way. Please consider allowing them to attend. You are all three talented, lovely, and kind. There is no need to lower yourselves to their level. Perhaps you could influence them to be better by including them, rather than shutting them out.”
“I do so hate it when you are right and I am wrong,” replied Elizabeth with a grimace.
“Would you be upset if I declined to exhibit, brother?” asked Mary. “I truly do not wish to expose myself to further ridicule.”
“I heard you play this morning, Mary, for Elizabeth and I were sitting outside the door much of the time,” he answered, smiling at her. “The Beethoven was simply wonderful, and I think having you display your talent would be an excellent introduction to London Society for you. In truth, we were both astounded at your rapid progress. Alex is obviously a very fine teacher, and I must conclude you are an exceptional student.”
Mary permitted herself a tiny smile. Mr. Darcy and my sister sit in the hallway to listen to me? Is the entire house just outside the door while I practice?