Emily woke early the next morning as she always did. She helped Lottie, the maid, in the kitchen. Emily always enjoyed Lottie's company. She was such an interesting woman, her life full of wonderful experiences. Emily prayed that if she never found true love, she would be like Lottie.

"What's this I hear about a gentleman stranger?" Lottie asked, turning their conversation. Emily was surprised at first, but her surprise quickly faded. Lottie was the first person to know about everything. Emily smiled as she remembered Barkis. She had thought overnight her infatuation would disappear, but it hadn't. If anything it had grown. It was truly childish of her.

"Well, what have you heard?" Emily asked, trying to keep Lottie on her toes. Lottie sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Only that the two of you danced together. Alone. In the moonlight," she said. Emily blushed. "You're lucky your father didn't catch you! What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't," Emily admitted, with a giggle. Lottie joined in with her a little. "I hadn't really meant to bump into him," Emily continued. "It was more of a fortunate accident. We were both outside getting air at the same time." She sighed dreamily. "Or perhaps it wasn't an accident! Perhaps it was fate!"

"Oh, fate?" Lottie said, skeptically. She had never been one to believe in fate. "Listen to the way you talk, love! He sounds dreamy. What did he look like?"

"He was tall, with dark hair, he was so gentlemanly and kind… and his eyes! Oh, Lottie, you should have seen his eyes! They were as grand as the moon itself." Lottie chuckled to herself.

"Well then, dearie, perhaps it would be best if the two of you ran into each other again, eh?" She turned to walk into the kitchen to help the cook. "Your father will be down soon, I'd best be getting breakfast." She winked at Emily before she disappeared behind the door.

Emily left the kitchen, humming to herself. She walked into the parlor. It was one of her favorite rooms. Her mother had decorated this room, and not a thing had been touched or moved. The majestic blue wallpaper was still hanging, the grand fireplace always had a roaring fire, her mother's quilts were neatly stacked by the chairs, and their piano was tucked away in a corner of the room. Emily loved that piano. Her mother had taught her to play.

She sat at the piano and gently ran her fingers across its ivory keys. They were cool to the touch, but inviting, as if begging her to play them. Emily was compliant with their request, gently moving her fingers across them, releasing a sweet melody. She closed her eyes. The piano gave her a release like no other thing on Earth. It brought amazing relief.

She played for several minutes, not hearing the doorbell ring, or her father call her in for breakfast. Lottie walked in and eased her back into reality.

"Emily, dear, it's time for breakfast." Emily turned at the sound of her voice, the keys immediately silenced. "Hurry now. You've got a wonderful surprise waiting." Lottie smiled mischievously at her. Emily followed her out of the parlor and back into the dining room.

Her father was seated at the table, but he had a companion, a dark haired companion, with a deep, suave voice that she knew too well. Her eyes lit up as they fell upon the face of Barkis Bittern. She beamed. He smiled back, sweetly. Her father cleared his throat, as if reminding them he was still there. Emily took her seat to the left of her father.

"I would introduce the two of you, but it seems you've already met," Lord Bowett said.

"Only briefly," Emily replied quietly.

"Well then, I suppose I know Mr. Bittern just as well as you do. You're a friend of the Duke's you say?"

"Yes, sir. I was a groom's man. The Duke is such a good friend to me. I am lodging with him at the moment, until I can find a house of my own. And, if I am lucky, perhaps I shall find someone to share it with," Bittern said. His eyes flicked to Emily's face as he said the last part of his sentence. She blushed profusely.

Breakfast continued in pleasant chatter. Eventually, Lord Bowett stood. He excused himself and went into his office. Emily's father always liked to begin work early. He was more involved in the affairs of his business than he really needed to be, but perhaps that was why he was so successful.