Page 179 of Pervade London
“Yes, she’s my student. She’s with us.” Penn-Rhodes led me onto the boat. “So glad you found a way to be here.”
My opportunity returned like a dark and magical promise. Maybe my two lovers would understand…and forgive me. Maybe the consequences James had talked about were merely imaginary concerns.
“This way,” said Penn-Rhodes. “Hurry.”
Dutifully, I followed him up the steps and we were waved through the security check-point.
I’m really doing this…
At the rear of the yacht I saw the raised platform where we’d be performing. Arranged before it were a hundred or so chairs waiting for an audience. I could see why security was high. The soirée was an elegant affair with the male guests wearing tuxedos and the women adorned in sweeping gowns, all of them sipping champagne. I scanned the glamorous crowd, searching the faces for Patrick Woo.
Penn-Rhodes led me down a twisting staircase. “Remember when I had you play your violin facing the other students?”
He’d forced me to face Salme and her tapping foot.
“When you perform there are always distractions,” he said. “Ignore the audience, their restlessness and their cell phones. Ignore it all. Do what you were born to do.”
“Thank you, Maestro.”
He went on ahead.
I braced my palm against the wall, trying to balance my shaky legs as I remembered Xavier’s accusation that James wanted me at this event. Would James have known I’d refuse to miss this chance of a lifetime? Was I the equivalent of one of Xavier’s chess pieces being moved at will?
“Forget something?” asked Penn-Rhodes.
I shook my head, trying to push the trepidation away. My heels clicked along the polished floor as we headed toward the sound of musical notes emanating from a room. I heard the erratic plucking of violin strings and the chatter of excitable students.
Ignoring a glare from Salme, I found a spot in the private cabin and turned my back on her.
I flipped open my case and eased out my Strad, then began the methodical process of drowning out the noises in the room so I could concentrate on fine-tuning my violin.
The fine hairs on my nape prickled when I saw Penn-Rhodes move from student to student handing out nametags. He handed me one. Reluctantly, I stuck it to my dress.
With a dry mouth, I focused on a string that wouldn’t give. It was too new. Too perfect. Too resistant to my trembling fingers.
Salme appeared at my side. “What did you do?”
Her dress was bright red like her lipstick. I noticed that she’d overdone her rouge and eye shadow. My eyeballs began to burn as her obnoxious perfume singed my retinas.
“You have no right.”
I blinked past the sting. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Penn-Rhodes chose you.”
The heat in the cabin intensified.
“You’re supposed to play the second set.” She glanced at my violin. “Hope they brought their earplugs along.”
That would mean I’d be front and center.
I suddenly needed air…
I rose abruptly with my violin and swept past Salme, retracing my steps up the winding staircase until I made it to the upper deck. Clutching my violin and bow as though a gust from the Thames could steal them away, I leaned my body gratefully against the balustrade and drew in great gulps of air, its scent tinged by river water.
The memory of my time with James and Xavier weighed heavily on my spirit. So many thoughts swirling through my mind made it hard to think straight. There were other orchestras, other opportunities, and, after all, James had offered to help with my career. Turning him down meant I would losehim.
My pride had set me up for a fall.
