Roderick wants to see if he can finally get some face time with the elusive Mr. Strnk. But first, breakfast. In the Dining Hall, he fills his plate with scrapple and applesauce. Seeing Anna sitting by herself, he sits next to her.
"How did you like your weekend in our home town?"
"I liked it very much. It's a lovely town."
"Do you miss Milan?"
"Not so much. I've spent very little time there, actually. My parents sent me to Ecole Vevey when I was very young, and on school holidays I usually went to our place on Lago di Como."
"Lago di Como? Wow! That sounds nice."
"It's lovely."
"It must be hard for you to be away from your parents."
"You don't know my parents."
Roderick has to admit that he doesn't know Anna's parents and to be perfectly honest he doesn't really care to learn more about Anna's parents, but he wouldn't mind learning more about Anna because she is really lovely.
As they get up to leave the Dining Hall, Anna invites Roderick to come to the Conservatory this afternoon. "We're rehearsing a song by Fanny Mendelssohn, and I'd like you to hear us." She says.
"Sure!" says Roderick. "I'll be there."
Anna touches Roderick's arm lightly with her right hand. "It was very nice sitting with you this morning," she says. Roderick feels a thrill up his leg again.
Once again, the elusive Mr. Strnk is not in his office.
Meanwhile, in her room, Megan continues to write her novel.
Charlotte followed Bentley to the Library, where Lady Margaret stood waiting for her. Charlotte curtsied. "Milady," she said demurely.
Lady Margaret curtly acknowledges Charlotte's gesture with a wave. "Your father has indentured you to me in return for an ample income sufficient to preserve Puddleton Manor in your family name. You will now have the goodness to accompany me in my coach to Bilgeworth Hall, where you will serve as Lady-In-Waiting and attend to my needs.
Charlotte is aware of Lady Margaret's tastes, and has no illusion about what it means to "attend to her needs". Why is this happening to me? she thought. Was it the other night, with Rex? She had only used her "safe" word twice, but...perhaps he was displeased.
Promptly at four, Roderick knocks on the door to the Conservatory and enters. Inside, Molly sits at the Bosendorfer noodling around on the keyboard like she does when she's warming up, and Anna sings a scale.
Molly is happy to see him. "Sit right here," she says, pointing to one of the comfy armchairs. "We're about to start."
Anna finishes her scale, then stands close to the piano so she and Molly can have eye contact while they perform. She nods to Molly, and Molly launches the piano introduction. Anna breathes, then sings:
Ach, um deine feuchten Schwingen,Roderick is smitten. Anna's voice, and everything else about her, is just gorgeous.
West, wie sehr ich dich beneide...
