Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) by Donna Hatch Page B

helped me after I left home. I am returning the favor the only way I can.”
    A few minutes later, they arrived in front of his sister’s house. Kit led her up the steps to the front door.
    Susanna slowed her steps as she looked up at the elegant, tasteful structure. Her mouth dropped open. “Your sister lives here?”
    He couldn’t decide if she were awed or frightened. He sent her a quick smile. “Yes, but don’t hold it against her.”
    As luck would have it, the moment he reached for the doorknocker, his sister’s coach arrived. Turning, he watched his sister and brother-in-law emerge, laughing. They walked arm-in-arm toward the front door. As his sister caught sight of Kit, she released her hold on her husband’s arm and trotted up the last few steps.
    “Kit!” She threw her arms around him. “How wonderful to see you.”
    He chuckled. “I saw you last week, as I recall, Tess.”
    “I’m just as happy to see you now! Come in, come in.”
    “First, allow me to introduce Miss Susanna Dyer. She is the harpist for the time being in my orchestra and a gifted musician. Susanna, my sister, Esther Daubrey.” As his brother-in-law climbed the rest of the way up, watching them with an air of sophisticated amusement, Kit said, “And her husband, Robert Daubrey.”
    Daubrey lifted his brow slightly at Kit’s omission of his title, but voiced no complaint.
    Susanna curtsied prettily and said in low, musical tones, “A pleasure to meet you both.” Her fine breeding practically oozed from her.
    With only a thinly-concealed look of delight aimed at Kit, Esther leaped to action, beaming at the unsuspecting girl. “Susanna, how lovely to meet you. May I call you Susanna? You don’t look like the type to stand on ceremony, but it if makes you uncomfortable, I can certainly call you Miss Dyer.”
    Blinking at the flow of enthusiasm, Susanna smiled. “Susanna suits me just fine.”
    “Then you must call me Esther. Or Tess. Do come in.”
    Daubrey gave Kit a sidelong glance but followed Esther inside. Kit almost groaned out loud. His sister was probably already making wedding plans. He should have known she’d be as bad as his mother. And worse, his secret would be out soon and everything with Susanna would change.

Chapter Nine
     
    Susanna grappled at her composure and tried not to gape like a country bumpkin at the splendor around her. The foyer surpassed the great hall back home with its sweeping ceilings, carved and gilded woodwork, marble floor, and a circular staircase out of a fairy tale. Potted plants and flowers scattered amid the gleaming surfaces softened the almost blinding grandeur. Was this awe-inspiring structure the home of a member of the ton , or a purchase by someone who’d made a fortune in trade? Either way, this mansion exceeded her childhood home in both size and opulence.
    A surprisingly young butler took their coats and her portmanteau as Esther Daubrey, a trim, dark-haired lady near Susanna’s age, addressed the butler. “We’ll take refreshment in the back parlor.” She linked arms with Susanna and led her across the floor. “You simply must tell me about yourself.” She turned sparkling eyes, the same rich brown color as Kit’s, upon her.
    With a nervous laugh, Susanna said, “There’s not much to tell.”
    “Oh, don’t be modest. How on earth did you obtain a position as impressive as the harpist for an opera symphony? That’s quite an accomplishment, you know, especially for a woman.”
    Susanna shrugged. “It’s not a great story. I happened to present myself at an opportune time; their harpist injured his hand, and they were desperate for a replacement. Although, to tell the truth, your brother kindly convinced the conductor to allow me to audition. Without him, I would never have been allowed inside the theatre. He must have been the angel for whom I had been praying.”
    “My brother Kit?” Esther laughed. “That may be the first time anyone has called him an