The Music Box Read Online Free PDF Page B

him bore little resemblance to the rumpled girl he’d met an hour ago—with the exception of her vitality and those bottomless cornflower-blue eyes. Her chestnut hair, no longer tousled, was now neatly arranged in shining curls that cascaded down her back, and her face, scrubbed free of smudges, was exquisitely delicate and incredibly lovely.
    “Gabrielle,” he addressed her, fully intending to make believe their earlier meeting had never occurred. “ ʼTis a pleasure.” Smiling politely, he brought her fingers to his lips.
    Gaby inclined her head, her eyes veiled with uncertainty. “Mr. Lyndley and I have met, Aunt Hermione,” she blurted. “I never intended for it to happen. I was truly going to wait this time, I promise. But you see, Crumpet dashed in front of Mr. Lyndley’s phaeton, and I had no choice—”
    “It’s all right, Gaby,” Hermione interjected. “Running into someone can be described only as an accident of fate, not a formal presentation. Thus, we’ll consider this to be the first time you and Bryce have met.”
    “Oh, thank you,” Gaby breathed, her entire face lighting up. “In that case, I’m delighted to meet you, Mr. Lyndley. And I apologize for being late.”
    A grin tugged at Bryce’s lips. “Think nothing of it. However, if you’d like, I could lend you a pocket watch. It might help both you and Crumpet.”
    Gaby dissolved into spontaneous laughter. “That would be greatly appreciated—by both of us.”
    From the corner of his eye, Bryce saw one of the youngsters, a little girl with a solemn expression, inch forward, tugging on Chaunce’s sleeve until the butler leaned over, after which she cupped her hand over his ear and whispered something into it.
    “Ah, thank you, Lily. I’m sure Miss Gaby will be quite relieved.” He straightened, looking over at Gaby. “It seems Lily came upon Crumpet during her morning stroll. He had invaded the garden yet again.”
    “What’d he eat this time?” the hay-straw fellow piped up from the rear, sounding more resigned than angry. “Just tell me, so I’ll know where my shovel and I will be spendin’ the afternoon.”
    “Actually, your garden is intact, Wilson,” Chaunce assured him. “As good fortune would have it, Lily arrived just moments after Crumpet. She thwarted his intended eating binge, scooped him up, and took him to her room, where he is currently awaiting punishment.”
    “Good girl, Lily,” Wilson praised. “Hear that?” he murmured to his shovel. “Thanks to Lily’s quick thinkin’, we can work on that section of primroses, just like we planned.”
    “Oh, Lily, you’re wonderful! Thank you.” Evidently unperturbed by Wilson’s chat with an inanimate object, Gaby rushed over and hugged the little girl, whose solemn face erupted into a heartwarming—and Bryce suspected rare—smile. “I was frantic about Crumpet’s whereabouts, especially since I hadn’t time to search all his favorite hiding places. And even if I’d had the time, I’d never have thought to look in the garden, not after he was banished from it last week. How clever of you to find him!”
    “Shall I bring him to you?” the child asked in a whisper.
    “I have a better idea. After we’ve all met Mr. Lyndley, you and I can go to your chambers and deal with him together.”
    “New curtains will have to be ordered,” Chaunce said with a tolerant sigh. “Master Crumpet so likes the frilled curtains in Lily’s room—I suspect that, by now, they’re quite ragged at the edges.”
    “I suspect you’re right, Chaunce.” Gaby grinned. “Sometimes I think Crumpet is part goat. In any case, fear not. I myself shall take Lily to the village and select material for her new curtains. We’ll sew them together. How would that be, Lily?” She gazed lovingly down at the child.
    A vigorous nod was her reply.
    “Excellent.” Gaby cast another rueful glance at Hermione. “I’ve disrupted your introductions again, haven’t I?”
    “To the