The following Saturday, Akane and Blair ran into each other on the way to the Donetti home, and each asked the other if she knew why Miranda had suddenly invited them over for tea. Unfortunately, neither had the slightest idea.

Miranda said nothing as they settled themselves in the parlor, but both were aware that Manda was exceedingly pleased with herself about something. Other than saying hello, nothing else was spoken. Both of them were waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. Miranda was leaning back in her favorite armchair, seemingly completely relaxed. That alone set the others on edge. Manda never acted that way unless she was about to dump something on them.

They had no idea what, but her sense of humor was most accurately described as "twisted".

Both tensed up, prepared to leap out of their chairs and escape should it become necessary. Seeing that Miranda's smile widened as they did so, they became even more alarmed. When Mimi pushed open the door and exited the kitchen, both of them nearly bolted out of the room before they realized who it was. Mimi shook her head, both because she was irritated with her employer, and because, once again, she felt like someone was cackling with evil laughter somewhere far enough away that she could barely hear it.

Briefly, Mimi glared at Miranda, then smoothed out her expression. It was not appropriate to look at your employer in such a disrespectful manner, no matter how much they deserved it.

When the only thing that happened was Mimi setting down the tray she was carrying, Blair and Akane began to relax. Perhaps they'd been worried over nothing. After Mimi had left the room without anything horrible happening, they began to relax. That was when they noticed the teapot.

Blair then glared at Miranda. "Your sense of humor gets worse every year. By the time you're 50, I doubt that I shall be able to walk in your front door safely unless I'm wearing armor and carrying a shield."

Manda waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "What's wrong with you? I haven't done anything to warrant such an accusation. Right Akane?"

Having now recovered enough to pour herself some tea and take an appreciative whiff of its fragrance, Akane rolled her eyes at Miranda and said exactly nothing.

Miranda continued to stare at her, and, finally, Akane relented. She carefully picked up the teapot and, keeping it level so as not to spill the tea, she examined it from all sides.

Finally, with a sigh, she gently put it back down. "This is a work of fine art as much as it is a teapot. It is without a doubt the most exquisite sculpture I've ever seen. Where in the world did you obtain it?"

"If you'll recall, Danica's father, brothers, and her uncle's family are all silversmiths."

"No Manda, I don't recall. You never mentioned it. Did you know anything about this Blair?"

Blair feigned concern and anxiety. "As a certain personage well knows, she hasn't told me either. Maybe she really is getting senile and is forgetting things. Perhaps we should have Dr. Kastner examine her?"

"Oh, you! You're no fun at all," Miranda huffed. "All right. No more silliness. Danica's father made it. He gave it to me three days ago, and I showed it to Dot yesterday. I heard that she actually went to their shop in person and placed an order the same afternoon."

Blair and Akane shot to their feet. "Now I see why you had us come so early today. We'll still have time to get there before they close for the day." Blair sighed with irritation and, at the same time, smiled her gratitude.

Akane hurried to gather her things and headed for the door after waving approximately in Miranda's direction. Seeing her leave, Blair scurried after.

Mimi appeared and said, "Madame, I shall escort them to the shop...if you have no objections?"

"No Mimi, not all, considering that neither of them has the slightest idea where it is. Return when convenient."

"Yes Madame, I shall."

Once she heard the front door close, Miranda doubled over laughing.

-----------------

On Monday after dinner, Robert presented the violin he'd selected to Danica. Her reaction was far outside anyone's prediction. After opening the case, and inspecting the instrument, she muttered. "So this is what a violin feels like. It is most interesting.

"I shall endeavor to merit your trust in me." Her voice was monotone, but, when she turned to replace the violin in the case, tears could be seen in the corners of her eyes.

-----------

Lessons began with twice a week and were planned to be reduced to weekly after a month. Surprisingly, the teacher they had employed, Marcela Piedmont, strenuously objected to that schedule at the meeting she had requested with Robert and Miranda at the end of the first three weeks. "Yes, I know what we agreed to, and, 'yes' again, it is how private instructions are normally done. That being said, I will regret it for the rest of my life if I don't give that child everything I can. Making her wait a week between lessons will be like burning a book. What will be lost is something irreplaceable...precious time that could have been spent polishing her talent. I MUST see her three times a week, and I WILL see her, even if you still only pay me for one of those days."

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By the time she had finished, she was actually panting from having said it all with a single breath.

Miranda smoothed her skirt before asking, "Mrs. Piedmont, do I understand correctly that Rebecca Fukui is also one of your students?"

"Huh? Oh, ah, yes, indeed. She's coming along well. Quite well indeed as a matter of fact." She continued in a puzzled tone, "Is your question relevant to our current discussion?"

` "Indeed, it is. I actually have one more question. If you do come to teach Danica three times a week, how long will it be before she will be well enough trained to perform a duet with Miss Fukui without embarrassing herself?"

Marcela was momentarily taken aback, and was having some difficulty processing the change of direction in their conversation. However, after thinking for a while she answered, "I see. Yes, of course. Rebecca has been on an accelerated schedule herself. I teach her twice a week."

She sat up straight in her chair and squared her shoulders, "Danica will be far enough along that she won't be noticeably overpowered by Rebecca when they play together in something between nine months and a year," she answered firmly.

Miranda smiled then propped her chin on her palm. "I presume that if things go as you expect, they will be able to continue their lessons together from that point on?"

Cocking her head to the side, Marcela's eyes lost focus for a while. "Hmmm. Yes. That should indeed be the case. With Becca finally having another student of nearly equal skill as a friendly rival, she'll progress much more quickly too... Yes indeed.

"That's a marvelous plan Mrs. Donetti," exclaimed Marcela. "You have my gratitude. I'd not thought nearly that far ahead!"

"While we're speaking of it, since Danica's mobility is not as good as we'd like, and may not be for some time to come, when they're ready for joint lessons, would it work if you held their lessons in our conservatory?" queried Robert. "There is substantially more room there than in the room you're currently using, and you wouldn't be disturbed by, nor disturbing anyone else in the household...or the neighbors."

"It sounds good, but, if you don't mind, may I check the acoustics there now? That way, if there's a problem, we'll have ample time to formulate an alternative plan."

"Indeed... A good suggestion." So saying, Robert stood and held his hand out to Miranda. Marcela stooped to pick up her violin.

Once they arrived Miranda and Robert took seats and waited for Marcela to perform her test.

Once she'd finished playing, Marcela nodded in satisfaction. "Yes indeed. I'd worried about all the plants causing problems with the sound, but everything is fine. In fact, the acoustics here are better than in most venues in The City, and the humidity is not enough to adversely affect the violins."

Robert nodded. "In that case, please proceed with the thrice weekly lessons. I'm looking forward to seeing how Danica progresses."

Marcela smiled her thanks, put her violin away, and prepared to leave. Just as she turned to follow Mimi to the door, she suddenly spun around and bowed. Her cheeks were flushed and her voice squeaked, "I know it's presumptuous of me, but I'd like to make a personal request...no a plea. Please allow me to practice here before I have solo performances. I'm absolutely convinced that if I do, I myself will do a better job at my concerts. If you would consent to my selfish request, I'll gladly reduce my fees and only charge for two lessons a week!"

Miranda was shocked at her request, but, before she could formulate a response, Robert replied, "You are too kind. The answer to your proposal is both 'yes' and 'no'. We will be more than pleased to allow you to practice here, at ANY time you wish, not just before a concert. However, we will not consent to you reducing your fee...IF you allow us to leave the door to the house open when you practice. If it is before or after one of Danica's lessons, you won't need to give us any kind of special notification. If it is at another time, please let our head maid Mimi know when you will arrive."

He smiled broadly. "Are we agreed?"

After bowing, deeply, several times, Marcela responded, "Yes. Yes indeed. That is decidedly acceptable. Thank you for your consideration."

"No, thank you. Without teachers of your caliber and skill, the next generation will flounder in ignorance."

"Oh my!" Marcela's face was flaming. Clutching her violin to her chest with both arms, she bowed again, and, this time, followed Mimi to the door.

Once the door was closed, Miranda spun toward Robert with an expression that was somewhere between irritated and angry. "What in the world were you thinking of!? Letting a stranger into the house at any hour of the day, just so she can practice playing her violin. How could you do something like that?"

"Tell me dear," Robert replied placidly, "even though you never attend, given your connections, you ought to know what front row seats at The CIty Symphony Orchestra's performances cost."

"It's not like I don't like good music you know. I just don't have time to attend. You know that as well as I do."

"Yes dear, I know. Now, answer my question if you will."

"All right. Depending on whether there's a special soloist, they run anywhere from 20 to 40 ducats." Miranda frowned at him. "So what's your point?"

"Marcela Piedmont is the first chair violinist for the orchestra. She's also famous throughout Italy. In fact, travelers have been known to come from as far away as England just to listen to her. Were it not that her twin is married to a local man, and were she not so dedicated to teaching, she'd probably be permanently employed in one of the royal courts."

Miranda's chin dropped. "You don't mean to tell me..."

"Actually, yes I do. The woman who is one of the finest violinists in all of Europe will be giving our family free concerts when she 'practices'.

"In fact, when she's here, it might be wise to offer her the best tea you have in your private stash, along with whatever her favorite snacks are each time she comes," suggested Robert slyly.

"I'm sure that, by the time she has her first 'practice', you'll have found out what her favorite snack is, right?"

Although she had begun snickering almost uncontrollably, Miranda managed to make her speech understandable, "You, my dear, are quite the schemer.

"If it weren't that the banks take up so much of your time I might, given a year or two, be able to turn you into at least a tolerable agent," she added dryly.

Then they laughed, put their arms around each other's waists, and headed inside.