“Then tell me what has happened.” He came within a few feet of her and stopped. Not a surprise, as Gabriel had worked so hard these last weeks not to touch her or get too close. He seemed intent on maintaining that distance between them, and now, Sophia knew why.
Slowly, she turned. As she did, she did her best to keep her composure, still thinking that there was a chance they could have this conversation with maturity and without emotions getting the best of them.
Typically, as soon as she saw his face, how confused he was, as if he had no idea what was going on, all reason and rational left the room.
“How was my performance tonight?” she asked him.
“Your performance?” He leaned back.
“Yes.” She folded her arms and raised a questioning eyebrow. “What did you think?”
“I…” A flash of panic passed behind his eyes. “I told you already, it was wonderful. The best I have heard you play.”
“And what did I play exactly?” She kept that eyebrow raised. “What piece?”
“Sophia…” He laughed nervously. “What is this?”
“You weren’t paying attention, were you? Admit it. While I was playing, your interests lay elsewhere.”
His brow tightened and she suspected that he was considering lying to her. But she held his gaze, her eyes wide, wanting him to see that there was no point in trying to lie.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I did not mean to – Lady Clarissa ambushed me, Sophia. She was incessant, non-stop with her questions. By the time I realized how long she had me distracted for, you had finished.” He tried for a forgiving smile. “I did not mean to lie to you. I just did not want to upset you.”
“I am not upset that you were not listening, Gabriel. I’m upset that you felt you had to lie about it.”
“Can you blame me?” he said. “You might not have said as much, but I knew how much you looked forward to your performance. If I had told you the truth, you would be furious.”
“Do not try and put this on me.”
“I am not putting it on you,” he argued. “I made a mistake, I am sorry. Now, can we please move on from this.” He laughed as if that might ease the tension. “There will be plenty more chances for you to show me how far you have come on the pianoforte. You can play for me right now, if you wish.”
The strange thing was that Sophia was not even angry. Not nearly as much as she should have been. It was disappointmentthat flooded her to her core, a pending sadness that built slowly inside of her because she could see now like never before how little Gabriel truly cared.
He should know this has nothing to do with missing my performance. But that’s just it, isn’t it? He does not know me at all…
“Are you happy, Gabriel?” She sighed and dropped her arms; the anger was gone, the confrontation in her voice vanished. She decided that at times like this, all she could do was be real, and hope that was enough.
“Excuse me?”
“You asked me long ago the same thing, remember? If I was happy or not.”
“I remember.”
“Now, it’s your turn. Are you happy?”
He hesitated, for only a second, but it was enough. “Of course I am.”
“I’ll rephrase.” She looked right at him so that there was nowhere for him to hide. “Are you happy that you married me?”
Again, he hesitated. This time, it was the surprise of the question that did it. His first reaction was to smile, as if Sophia was making a joke. She held a firm gaze, giving no indication of humor, which saw his smile drop. Further hesitation… a furrowed brow… a tilt of the head… an awkward laugh.
“Sophia, what is this?”
“Answer the question,” she said.
“Why do I feel as if this is a trap?”
“Why are you so incapable of answering what should be a simple question?”
