Chapter 52
Stantonâs eyes widened in disbelief Rubbing them, he looked again.
The girl was in a pair of light blue tracksuits. And those familiar, misty eyes slowly met his as she turned toward his voice Their gazes locked, and Stanton drew a sharp breath
With Cordelia there, why had the Delaney family gone to such lengths to seek him out?
The nanny beside him explained. âMr. Stanton came up when he heard the piano, so
Stanton was the Delaney familyâs quest of honor that and Rachel had instructed the nanny to treat him with the utmost respect.
The nanny couldnât stop Stanton from coming up, leading to him standing behind everyone
Rachel didnât mind the unexpected arrival. But why was Stanton staring at Cordelia? Could Cordeliaâs beauty have struck a chord in him?
Frowning, Rachel glanced at Juliana. Like mother, like daughter. Juliana immediately understood her motherâs concern and sidestepped to block Stantonâs view of Cordelia.
Rachel approached with a beaming smile. âMr. Stanton, your presence graces our humble home! How about we head downstairs for coffee first?
the kids get ready so we can proceed with the auditions.
She had already briefed Stanton about a few more candidates for the audition.
But auditions for Cordelia? Stanton swallowed hard. âNo, that wonât be necessaryâ
Rachel paused. âNo coffee? Then shall we begin the auditions now?â
She was aware of Stantonâs fame for his goâgetter attitude, but his eagerness took her by surprise.
âWell then,â she agreed and started introducing the candidates, beginning with her daughter. âThis is my Juliana. Sheâs passed her Grade 10 piano and looks to further her studies with you. Sheâs hardworking and academically excellent. You can test her skills! Juliana, play something for us, darling.
Juliana stepped forward, a mix of modesty and eagerness in her demeanor. âMr. Stanton, I hope youâll give me the opportunity!â
After her plea, she approached the piano, took a deep breath, and played a piece she had mastered.
The music flowed effortlessly through the room.
Stanton finally snapped out of his reverie, listening to the music while stealing glances at Cordelia.
Once Rachel introduced Juliana, she turned to Mrs. Collins, looking at her earnestly. Mrs. Collins was a famed socialite from Greenmeadow, known for her pride and difficult nature. The Delaney and Smith families were wellâoff but were a step away from the upper echelons of society.
There was a charity gala in a few days. If Mrs. Collins could introduce her, Rachel would enter high society, greatly benefiting her husbandâs inheritance battle for the Delaney fortune.
With that thought, Rachel glanced at Lorna.
Lorna was virtually invisible on an occasion like this. Mrs. Collins hadnât given her a glance or word since arrived.
As Juliana finished her performance and returned to her spot, Rachel asked, âMr. Stanton, what do you think?â He wasnât impressed. Stanton silently criticized, but this girl was Cordeliaâs family, right?
For Cordeliaâs sake, Stanton coughed and offered, âNot bad.â
Those two words sent Julianaâs chin tilting upward in pride.
In the piano world, Stanton was known for his strictness. A ânot badâ from him almost guaranteed mentorship! Rachel suppressed her joy and then pointed to Joy. This is Miss Collins of the Collins family. Her talent in piano is unsurpassed. Miss Collins had completed her Grade 10 plano by the age of ten. Unfortunately she fell ill and has been deaf and mute since then.â
Admitting Julianaâs inferiority was one thing, but who would bother to teach someone with disabilities unless they were family?
As Rachel spoke the last sentence, Mrs. Collinsâ
dimmed, but she didnât blame Rachel for the necessary disclosure.
Mrs. Collins signed to Joy, who understood and played the piece again as Cordelia had shown her.
Stanton listened and gave his oneâword verdict. âPity.â
There was only one Beethoven in this world!
Teaching someone with disabilities was challenging. The young girl indeed had talent, but Stanton wasnât a philanthropist.
That one word sealed her fate.
Mrs. Collins and Joyâs eyes filled with disappointment
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. The biggest threat was out of the way. She then turned to Rosina. âThis is Miss Smith, a relative of ours and quite proficient at the piano.â
Rosinaâs performance was even more average.
On any other day, Stanton would have been brutally honest, but before Lia, he shook his head, unable to offer critique,
After the three had played, Rachel finally said. This is Cordelia. Sheâs never learned piano.â
Rachel glossed over Cordelia, ready to sing more praises for Juliana, but Lorna stepped forward anxiously. âLia is gifted academically She picks up things quickly, so please, Mr. Stanton, give her a chance.â
Rachel sighed âLorna, I understand youâre eager, but Lia has never learned piano. The gap is too wide.â
Lorna about to say something more to plead her case when Stantonâs incredulous voice cut through the silence. âYouâve never had a piano lesson?â
Impossible!
Liaâs skills on the ivories surpassed his own.
Seeing his reaction, Rachel quickly piled on âThatâs right, Mr. Stanton. Lia grew up in an orphanage, you see. Thereâs no way they could afford a piano teacher there. Plus, the poor girlâs always been emotionally out of step. Getting into the soul of plano playing would be quite challenging for herâ
Stanton was stunned. âAn orphanage? Of course, they wouldnât have a piano teacherâ
Rachel sensed something off in Stantonâs tone.
Sensing an opportunity, Juliana cut in with feigned sympathy. âMr. Stanton, I know itâs an insult to your stature to assess someone whoâs never learned pianoâ
After a pause, she turned to Cordelia with a sly look âCordelia, if youâre genuinely interested, how about! you some lessons?â
Goodness always prevails.
No sooner had Juliana entertained that thought than the worldâfamous pianist Stanton burst through the crowd, disbelief written on his face, and rushed up to Cordelia, exclaiming, âLia, youâve seriously never touched a piano?â
* Chapter 52
Silence fell
Everyone was rooted to the spot in the upstairs living room, eyes wide and jaws slack. They couldnât believe their ears.
Had they misheard?
What had Stanton just called Cordelia?
A nickname? Were they that close?
Chapter
Chapter 53
a