Page 60 of The Lady Glass
“I believe you were an excellent leader, no matter how many men you lost.” She studied him, compassion flooding her eyes. “I understand if you can’t bring yourself to speak of it.”
Unlike other debutantes he knew, Theresia hadn’t had the easiest life. She saw right through him. “Perhaps if you played some music for me sometime, I could be persuaded to tell you. I’m quite fond of music, you know. I tend to ruminate and grow much too introspective.”
“Truly? I didn’t know. But you might not care for my music, and then where would we be? I would never hear about your injury, and you would never force yourself to speak of it.”
He rebuffed the idea. “That could never be. I already admire your abilities.”
“How is that possible?”
“I heard you perform on the violin at the ball that night, playing like you were in a world all of your own.”
“You saw me?”
He nodded.
She stared at him, awe in her eyes. “Then, you do not mind a woman playing the violin? It is hardly proper, and Mrs. Stone—”
“Forget what Mrs. Stone said about it. You played exceptionally well.”
“As if my life depended upon it,” she added, ducking her head. “Because, in my own way, it did.”
He reached out and set his hand on her arm. “Whatever your motives, it was mesmerizing. Your talent is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
“Everyone tried to dissuade my childhood self, but I was fiercely devoted to learning. Papa finally championed me, seeing that I had lessons and practice time. He saw my playing as an art akin to his own craft. He was right. Music is as much a part of who I am as glass is. No other traditions have shaped me or the community I grew up in more.”
“Perhaps it is your personal history, then, that makes you play in a way that would persuade anyone to tell you whatever you asked.”
Her lips pulled up at the corners. “It is a shame I don’t have my violin with me now. Alas, such questionable talent does not go well with my Lady Glass persona.” Her grin grew. “But I could sing for you instead.”
He smirked. “You would sing out here?”
“If it means you’ll tell me your story. I sense you want to tell me, and I cannot stop wondering about it.” Before he could argue otherwise, she started humming, then burst out a few softla, la, la’s.
He chuckled. “This doesn’t quite have the effect I imagined.”
She put her hand on his good shoulder and walked a circle around him, dragging her fingers lightly across his back and sending shivers through his limbs. A few morela, la, la’s flowed in a nameless tune from her lips. “This is better, no?”
“Definitely no.” He laughed. She was ridiculous, and he couldn’t help but adore her for it. Once she got an idea in her mind, she didn’t let go of it easily.
She stepped in front of him to circle again but tripped over the rough stone floor, herlacoming out as a muffled screech. He caught her to him, his arms encircling her back. Her embarrassed giggle did nothing to silence the fierce beating in his heart. He was holding her again, and it felt exactly like he remembered. His eyes went to her mouth, the smooth contours of her lips beckoning to him with greater fervor than ever.
She noticed the direction of his gaze, and with her head tipped back, her swallow was pronounced in the hollow of her creamy throat. “Did it work?” she whispered. “My singing?”
He shook his head slowly, his words harder to grasp then before. Every thought was full of her and only her.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Her mischievous smile was contagious.
He moved one hand to cradle the back of her neck, his thumb grazing her skin just below her ear. “Perhaps instead of telling you, I had better show you.”
Chapter 28
The challenge to make Rollandsmile had led her to this moment, and she had no regrets. She wanted to be in his arms, wanted his full attention, wanted this moment. And such longing pushed away all the voices in her head telling her that they were too different, until the only noise remaining was the thudding in her chest.
A stuttered breath escaped, and her eyes locked on his mouth. All her life she’d wanted one thing: to belong. She’d been kept from her home and been teased and neglected at school. This wasn’t where she’d imagined finding her heart’s desire—certainly not while pretending to be someone she wasn’t. But her rational thoughts were far from her mind, and likely not even in the vicinity any longer. It was her feelings that had remained, and those told her she was safe and wanted with Rolland.Thiswas what she’d desired all her life.
“Show me,” she whispered, her daring words surprising even herself.
His own battle seemed to come to an end, with her words as the victor. His head came down, and his mouth grazed hers, shooting fire through her limbs. He was giving her an escape if she wanted it.
