Page 64 of The English Queen

“Yes, you are to be a happily married woman. I hope he realises how good he has it. You look absolutely ravishing, Kolibri.”

“He is aware, yes. And missing me. But he is plenty busy now with dour things like our clusterfuck of a political scandal.”

Martin shook his head. “I saw that on the news. Terrible. I am performing La Colibri for the first time abroad–this summer. We will be on tour. It’s my last hurrah before I start in Amsterdam. We will be performing in Brussels. Sometime in July. I assume you have a box?”

Beth blushed. “We do. Really, at La Monnaie?”

“I did not do the booking. It would be nice to see you. Bring your husband, of course. I should go. I see a friend I need to catch up with. Lovely to see you, Bethany.”

He dashed off and Marie said, “Who was that?”

“Beth’s ex. The conductor of the Philharmonic. The composer,” Marta answered. “His name is Martin Schreiber. He’s German… a musical genius.”

“He will be in Brussels?” Marie asked.

Beth nodded. “He is travelling. He will be in Amsterdam next season. He wanted to move along and work with a new orchestra.”

“Why would anyone leave Paris?” Marta shook her head.

“Well, one might want to leave Paris if they were languishing of a broken heart,” Perry said before taking a long sip of his drink.

Beth looked at him confused.

“He is performing something then? The Hummingbird?” Marie wondered.

“It’s a symphony. Some say it is about his favourite muse.” Perry kept dropping breadcrumbs.

Beth wanted to punch him.

“He wrote Beth a symphony,” Marta snickered. “As you do.”

Beth blushed. “I did not ask him to. He debuted it last year. I went with Louis to see it.”

“Why on Earth are you marrying our brother?” Marie scoffed.

“Because he makes me feel things no one else does. He is… he’s like home.”

“Who… are… you?” Perry scoffed, offering his arm as the house lights flickered.

Beth took Perry’s arm. They proceeded upstairs behind Vanna, Rita, and Rebecca who were in their own world laughing and carrying on like sisters.

“I have missed you, darling,” Perry said. “The place is not the same without you. It just isn’t, but you are happy with Louis.”

“Very,” Beth agreed. “Martin? How is he?”

“He hasn’t been with anyone since you left. Maybe a date here or there but he’s clearly mourning the loss of you. People say he hasn’t done anything creative in ages since he finished La Colibri. And… well, you saw him.”

“We left it on a good note, I thought?”

“Oh, he has no ill will for you or Louis, I can assure you. But he has lost his muse. He did love you, Beth.”

“A change of pace will be good for him. He loves Amsterdam.”

“And Louis doesn’t care if he must attend the performance? When he came with you the first time, I thought he was either bold or dumb.”

“He is bold but not so bold. At least, it’s not intentional. Also, Perry, he’s not daft, but he is loving. He appreciates I had a life before him. He loved it. I have written him a wedding march. Did I tell you? On organ!”

“Who are you? Seriously? Who are you?”

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