Page 180 of Pervade London
I stared out over the rippling water without really seeing it. I knew that both worlds contradicted each other. Xavier was too precious with his rare gift. James too powerful to be compromised.
Boarding this yacht had sealed my fate.
Love would no longer be mine to cherish.
It was over.
All this time I’d believed it was them who held power over my future. A sob wracked my body at the realization that I’d thrown away the greatest love I’d ever have.
A waft of delicate perfume took me back in time. In a daze, I followed the delicate fragrance around the corner. Diana Lucia Zane was leaning casually against the railing, staring out at the river bank.
I approached her hesitantly.
She smiled when she saw my violin. “I hear you’re to play after me, Bella?”
“Yes,” was all I managed.
She’d hardly changed from when I’d watched her as an eager child in the front seat of a concert hall. I noticed that the fine lines around her eyes only brightened her smile. She was still just as glamorous and beautiful as I remembered.
“I met you once,” I whispered. “When I was a child.”
Her lips quirked, her expression kind.
“You were so…perfect.”
Her smile turned sad.
Consumed with awe I said, “You told me I have the hands of a violinist. It’s why I play.” I held up my Strad.
“Darling girl.”
“You changed my life, Signora Zane.”
She gave me a concerned look. “You must leave. Right now. Get off this yacht.”
“But…” I glanced back to see my fellow students pouring out of the stairwell door and trailing over to the other side of the boat.
Diana reached up to trace a delicate finger along my jaw. “Bellissimo.”
She entranced me with the way her delicate fingers first traced the strap of my dress, that same hand capable of so much profoundness when she played, and then glided to my chest, landing on my nametag. She ripped it off.
Wide-eyed and full of confusion, I watched Diana stroll grandly away as though she’d not just spoken those ominous words of warning, her chiffon dress billowing around her in the breeze like an exotic sea creature.
I saw the last student exit and trail around the corner. My heart began to pound against my chest as stage fright devoured me, causing my hands to shake so much I didn’t believe I could play.
Suddenly I felt the boards beneath me quake, and my terror intensified when the vessel began to move.
The yacht was heading down the Thames.
My throat constricted as I watched the city’s landmarks passing by, Diana’s haunting words replaying in my mind as we glided beneath London Bridge’s towering metal structure.
I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. With trembling fingers, I touched the place where my nametag had been. I knew Diana’s actions had nothing to do with jealousy. Somehow, she knew certain people here tonight shouldn’t see my name.
Penn-Rhodes signaled for me to follow him. The time had come to step onto the stage and perform. Reluctantly, I hurried around the corner and stopped abruptly when I saw Patrick Woo standing in front of the raised platform.
Just breathe…
I’d played for him once before. No, it had been twice, since James had somehow arranged for me to have a second chance to impress the guardians of the orchestra.
