Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(87)
“It’s soothing for me too. I live for the day that I can hold you and make love to you again. You’re so beautiful, Lily.” Daniel held her and rinsed her hair. “I want you to sit in here and soak for a while. It will help the pain.”
“Mmm. I wish I had my clove oil.”
“Hold on a minute.” Daniel left the bath chamber and returned a few moments later holding the small amber vial. “Here it is.”
“Just a few drops in the water.”
Daniel obliged and then brought in a chair and sat beside the tub. When Lily started yawning, he lifted her out of the tub, dried her gently with a soft towel, and dressed her in a clean nightdress. He helped her brush her teeth, he combed her hair, and placed her back in bed.
“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.”
“Which I’m sure you’ll be able to fill. Now, what is the going rate for commissioning a piece of music? One hundred pounds?”
“Your Grace, I don’t think…”
“Two hundred then.”
“That’s too much.”
“Nonsense. I’ll pay you a hundred now, and the rest upon completion.”
Cameron paused. Two hundred pounds was a huge amount of money, more than any composition of his could possibly be worth. But with it he could hire someone to care for the farm, and he could devote himself to his music. Better yet, he could leave the farm and take his family to Bath, or even to London. He could find work composing, or at least doing something other than hard farm labor. Perhaps he could eventually send Tricia and Kat to school and buy his family a town home.
“How long do I have?” he asked.
“The wedding will be in five or six weeks. I’ll let you know the exact date as soon as possible. I would like to hear the music before then. Is four weeks enough time?”
“Not for a full orchestration, I’m afraid. That will take months, and I’m really not qualified for the task.”
“I’m sorry, I should have mentioned this earlier. I want the waltz arranged for the pianoforte, not for a full orchestra. I would like for Lily’s sister to play it. She has a remarkable talent, and I think it would mean a lot to Lily.”
“Her sister?”
“Yes, Lady Rose Jameson. You met her when you met Lily, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Cameron cleared his throat. Lady Rose’s blond beauty had haunted him since that day. “I’ll do my best, Your Grace. I appreciate your confidence in me.”