Page 217 of Ashen Torment

She brings her gaze back to me.

“In a few weeks, the niece of the Duchess Durant will arrive.”

“I see.”

“Cecilia de Bâle, Duchess of Basel. She is younger than Mademoiselle Agnes.”

“More naive and wealthier, you mean.”

She tosses the squeezed grape to the ground with a small flick of her wrist.

“More suitable.”

“You just told me to go to Mademoiselle Agnes, and now you propose another woman.”

It is absurd.

“Would you perhaps wish to go somewhere else?”

“No, Mother.”

Her gaze returns to the grapes scattered on the table, with the tip of her foot, she slightly nudges one.

“It does not seem so.”

I rise from my chair.

“I received a letter a few weeks ago.”

She invites me to continue with a slow gesture of her hand.

“A request for a private performance.”

“From whom?”

“Damien Lestrade, Duke of Lestrieux.”

“It is well that you accept.”

“Do you know him?”

“He is a duke, Evander. You know well what obligations our position entails.”

I cast a glance at the scores stacked to the side.

“Not before the performance for the Duke of Winterbourne.”

She nods, plucking another grape from the cluster.

“You should have been the only one.”

“What—”

“The performance. It was supposed to be a solo. It would have been perfect.” Her expression tightens. “But apparently, the Duchess does not think you measure up.”

“The Duchess, as indeed the Count, has a penchant for collecting talent, as you are well aware, Mother.”

“I do not understand why she wishes to have that painter participate.”