He did not want it. Dammit, he tried to resist it. But day by day, piece by piece, his self-control and good sense fled him. Worse still, he sensed that she was of the exact same mind.
“If that is how it has to be.” Sommerton exhaled and sat up straight before collecting his own tankard and having a polite sip. “Just making sure.”
“No need for the concern, Sommerton.” Gabriel laughed dismissively. “I had no idea you were capable of such things. Maybe you are the one in need of my help?”
“Concern? For you? Not at all.” He had another mouthful, watching Gabriel over the lip of his tankard the entire time. “Just curious, is all. Just curious…”
His lies were starting to fail him. The truth becoming more obvious by the day. While Gabriel knew the best thing to do was avoid his wife from now until the end of eternity, he knew too that he was not capable of such a thing as that.
This, above all else, is why I never wanted to marry. I suppose in that sense the joke is on me… I just wish that I could find the humor in it like everyone else seems to be doing.
Gabriel returned later in the evening than he had meant to. Although he was trying to avoid having supper with Sophia, his intention was to return just as she was finishing. That way, hecould apologize for running late and hopefully salvage the little respect that she likely had left for him.
Not that I should care…
In the end, he had gotten carried away drinking with Sommerton, and it wasn’t until well after supper had started that he stumbled indoors.
Right away, he saw that the dining room was empty. Relief is what he should have felt, but guilt was what took him. He just did not understand it! He did not want this marriage to evolve. He did not want Sophia to fall for him, or him for her. But if that was the case, why did he feel so awful about hurting her? Why did he feel as if he needed to try harder?
I have had entirely too much to drink, is why. A good night of sleep is what I need, and tomorrow all will be clearer…
He stumbled up the stairs and started down the hallway, his intention being to find his room and fall into a deep slumber. As he started toward his room, he heard music drift from somewhere inside the manor. The distinct sound of the pianoforte being played.
It was dark and hauntingly beautiful. It was heavy and sorrowful, passion-filled, and dripping with so much heart that it bled. He was drawn to it as if angels sang for him to come and find them. Despite himself, Gabriel followed the rhythmic melody.
Soon, he found himself in the doorway of the music room.
There were no candles burning in the room, the only light coming from the moon which shone bright through the window. That white light swept across the darkness and landed on Sophia who sat alone at the pianoforte. She glowed from both the light and the music that she played.
She sat with her back to the doorway, a straight back, fingers gliding across the keys. He could tell that her eyes were closed, and the way that her body moved to the music told him that she was feeling it deep in her soul. There was no sheet music to guide her, just her own raw talent and the emotion that poured from her body.
He stayed there and watched her, his pulse quickening.
Gabriel had noticed already how much she was changing, but this here was undisputable proof. She played the pianoforte with a type of freedom that would have been impossible just a month ago. She played not because she had to, but because she wanted to. He could literally hear her love for the instrument singing from each stroke of her fingers.
Despite himself, a smile broke across Gabriel’s face and his pulse quickened…
When Sophia finally finished, Gabriel knew he should have turned and crept away. Judging from the song, she was upset, and he knew that he was the cause of her ire. But good sense wasnot Gabriel’s friend lately, and before he could stop to consider the consequences, he spoke.
“Now, that is how you play the pianoforte,” he said.
Her body stiffened when she heard his words. The light shining across the room wavered and even seemed to dim. While a chill suddenly fell into the dark room so that Gabriel felt it in his bones, just as he felt the disgust she had for him.
“What are you doing here?” she said without turning around.
“I live here.”
“Do you?” Her voice was colder than ice and sharper than any blade. “I might not have guessed, for how little you have been here lately.”
“Are you keeping track of me?” he attempted a soft chuckle.
“No…” She sighed and bowed her head. “I would not waste the time. You clearly do not care about me, so why would I care about you?”
The words were like a knife stabbing at Gabriel’s insides. They should not have bothered him, but he winced to hear them spoken, even reeling back as if she had struck him herself.
“I… I am sorry I missed supper,” he said with a slight slur to his words. “I meant to join you, but my meetings ran longer than I had thought they would.”
“There is no need to apologize.” Still, she did not turn around. “In truth, I had forgotten that you were joining me. So, no harm done.”
