The room around them continued talking, but something inside the small circle tightened.
Beckham lowered his voice: "The York edition is already being prepared."
"Then it is being prepared from an incomplete manuscript."
"Which is why you will complete it."
Matilda's pulse quickened. "I will complete it when the music is ready."
Hester's smile disappeared. "Do not be difficult."
Robert said nothing. Matilda understood why: this was hers to answer.
She looked at Hester. "I am not being difficult. I am being truthful."
Beckham's eyes sharpened. Hester drew a slow breath. "We will discuss this later."
She turned away before the exchange could become public. Beckham followed, but not before giving Matilda a look that contained no trace of his earlier charm.
Robert watched them leave. "That was brave."
Matilda looked down at her untouched tea. "It did not feel brave."
"Most useful courage rarely does."
Across the room, Beckham leaned close to Hester and spoke in a low voice. Hester's expression remained controlled, but her fingers tightened around her fan. Robert noticed. Matilda noticed him noticing.
A moment later, Mrs. Canning entered carrying a parcel wrapped in tissue and tied with pale ribbon. She brought it directly to Matilda. "From Mrs. Dracott."
Matilda opened it. Inside lay a fresh pair of ivory satin slippers: new this time—delicate, narrow, beautiful.
Hester's voice carried from across the room: "For York."
Matilda lifted one slipper and studied its shape. Her heel gave a faint ache beneath the bandage. The room seemed to wait without knowing it was waiting. Robert said nothing; that mattered. He did not rescue her from the answer.
Matilda placed the slipper back in the tissue. Then she looked at Hester.
"No."
The single word was quiet. It did not shake the chandeliers; it did not stop the clocks. But for Matilda, the world changed anyway.
The word remained between them: "No."