Free The Fifth Avenue Artists Society by Joy Callaway

telling me all about your marvelous family and your incredible writing. Where are your other sisters this evening? I’ve been keen to meet the pianist.” She smiled. Her blue eyes were kind and I forced a grin back despite my irritation at Frank, wondering how long they’d known each other.
    â€œWell, actually, Virginia was the only one officially invited,” Franklin said. Miss Blaine leaned over to pull him close. “We went to the Symphony with John last week and they got to talking, so he asked her to come.”
    â€œFrank tried to invite the others. We were hoping to convince Alevia, the pianist, to attend, but she’s quite shy and doesn’t like to waste her time socializing when she could be practicing,” I said, rolling my eyes at the dedication I wished I had. “And Bessie wasn’t home when we were getting ready to leave so we didn’t ask her.”
    â€œActually, I chose to leave her out,” Franklin said bluntly. “I didn’t want to coddle her all night. And Mae isn’t artistic, though she was otherwise occupied in any case. She gives English lessons to the orphans at Saint Joseph’s each Friday, and after she’s finished tonight, she has plans to see Mrs. Jarley’s Wax Works with Henry Trent.”
    â€œWhat?” The word came out of my mouth so quickly, Miss Blaine laughed. Mae hadn’t told me anything. Franklin grinned, fingers drifting over Miss Blaine’s hand, and I looked away, eyes locking on his face. “Why would she keep it from me?” Mae had always been private, but she usually confided in me. I held back my questions, though I kept my eyes fixed on Franklin’s and then cast them toward Miss Blaine, hoping he’d catch my meaning. Why would you conceal so much from me? I thought. His lids widened, suggesting he understood and would tell me later, but then he shrugged.
    â€œShe didn’t mention it to me either. I couldn’t find her so I asked Mother if she knew where she was and she told me that Mae was at the orphanage, but had arranged to accompany Henry to the play afterward.” Remembering how taken they’d been with each other at the Symphony, I hoped the affection would remain. Mae had always dreamed of a husband and children, and Mr. Trent shared her same passion for education. The thought struck me. Charlie and I had been well matched, too. Everyone thought so.
    â€œI’m so glad you came,” Miss Blaine said, interrupting. “In the three years we’ve been holding these meetings, I’ve met tons of people, of course—John tends to invite anyone with an affinity for art—but it’s so rare and nice to meet a new friend.” She reached to squeeze my hand. She was lovely and warm; I couldn’t understand why Franklin hadn’t spoken of her.
    â€œI’m thrilled to be here,” I said. “And so glad to have met you, too. Franklin has sung your praises.” I shot a tight-lipped grin at Frank. He cleared his throat.
    â€œLydia is a remarkable violinist,” Franklin said. On cue, she plucked the violin from the cellist, lifted the instrument to her chin, played an arpeggio, and curtsied.
    â€œI can’t give myself all of the credit. I’m mostly remarkable by force. My cousin is married to Walter Damrosch and my father has a great appreciation for the arts, so since I was a child, I’ve been encouraged to play and play well. I’m not sure why, considering all of this training will likely go by the wayside once I’m married. I don’t really have much interest in it, anyway.” Lydia’s lips dropped into a scowl for a moment, then lifted back as she smiled.
    â€œBut what about all of the work you’ve put in? You must love it a little,” I probed.
    â€œI’d stop playing this instant if Frank asked me to, but you wouldn’t, would you?” Inches from Franklin’s face, he shook his