Free Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) by Donna Hatch Page A

capture.
    Continuing his story, he said, “I needed a way of supporting myself so I auditioned for the opera orchestra.”
    “I see our stories and reasons are similar,” she said.
    Interest sparked in his eyes. “Have you been on your own long, then?”
    “Not long.”
    His brow lifted as if he’d expected a different answer but he nodded. He laced his fingers in front of himself on the table top, his eyes searching hers. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
    “No. I merely…had to get away from my aunt’s tyranny.” Hopefully using his own words would stop the questions.
    “It’s one thing for a man to be on his own. It’s another matter entirely for a lady to do so.”
    “A great number of women are alone.”
    “Not daughters of gentlemen.”
    She blinked.
    He offered an apologetic smile. “Your manners and the quality of your speech give you away. When ladies fall on hard times, they usually find work as a lady’s companion or governess so they are still under someone’s care.”
    She weighed the wisdom of confiding in him. He seemed so kind, but he might think her wicked for refusing to marry the man of her guardian’s choice and running away from home. The idea of losing his good opinion of her tied her tongue.
    Finally, she managed, “I have had quite enough of being under someone’s care.”
    “Ah, Kit.” A rotund, rosy-cheeked man wearing an apron and wiping his hands on a towel emerged. “I wondered when you were going to show up. You brought a friend.” His gaze flitted to Susanna. He looked her over curiously as if he couldn’t imagine why such a plain little ragamuffin would be in Kit’s company.
    Addressing Susanna, Kit gestured to the man. “This is Ol’ Joe. He and his wife own the place.”
    Ol’ Joe’s wife must have been the woman who allowed her to wash using their water pump behind the building.
    “Ol’ Joe, this is Susanna. She’s new to the orchestra. Plays the harp.”
    Ol’ Joe lifted his brows. “Harp, eh? Never seen one of those up close. Bet it sounds like a little slice of heaven.”
    She smiled. “My father always thought so.” A Sweet Memory returned, one of Papa sitting nearby, smiling, eyes closed, as he listened to her play, and Mama next to him, working on her sewing, also smiling. Fortunately for her, Uncle enjoyed it as well or her harp playing days would have ended years ago. Bless him, it was the one time he’d spoken up against his wife. He even had kept her supplied with a steady supply of new music.
    “Are you hungry, too, miss?” Ol’ Joe asked. “You could use some food, by the looks of you.”
    Heat crawled up her neck to her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze, nodding. Someday soon she’d find steady work and would eat on a more regular basis—enough to fill out like a woman instead of a scrawny little boy.
    “We’re both famished, Ol’ Joe,” Kit said.
    The tavern owner nodded and disappeared behind a swinging door in back.
    “You are a regular here, I presume?” she asked.
    “This is one of the few places that serve food so late. I like their simple, wholesome fare.”
    Ol’ Joe returned and placed the food on the table in front of them. Big chunks of beef, potatoes, and vegetables swam in thick broth. Susanna’s mouth watered. She devoured the stew and a thick slice of brown bread Kit handed her. Oddly enough, she filled up faster than she’d expected considering how long it had been since she’d had a full meal. Perhaps her stomach had shrunk.
    Pushing back her bowl, she let out a contented sigh and added the delicious meal with Kit to her Sweet Memories. Someday, she’d eat meals this satisfying every day with no one to lock her in her bedchamber without food.
    Kit grinned. “I share the sentiment. I’m always starved after a performance.” He stretched out his legs and folded his hands over his lean waist, still eyeing her. “I’m of a mind to take you to the public dance tonight, if you are willing. Will you come