On that last song, Samantha had been very mindful and did not let any emotions through and simply let the music fill the air. What she had not anticipated was for Cassian to be moved. She had played it for him because it was French and thought he would enjoy it. She was never told that he was French, but his title indicated that he was and she had hoped that it would make him happy. Instead, a sadness had settled into his grey eyes and that had not been her intention, unlike the other two songs she had played. Two songs to which he had no reaction.
Malcolm stood, crossed the room then shut the door. “What are you about?” he demanded.
She could pretend that it had been an accident that she had sent emotions into the room, but he would not believe her. “It has been too long since I played for you and I still have many years to make up for all the teasing I endured in childhood.” She grinned at him.
“It was dangerous. Cassian was in the room.”
Her smile slipped. “I am aware.”
“Do you have something against Cassian that you would torture him as you did me?”
“No,” she answered quietly and got up from the piano. “Did you notice that he was not affected while you were?”
“He was emotional on that last song,” Malcolm reminded her.
“Yet you were not. I was very mindful when I played that song because I knew if I tried that trick again that you would only become angrier.”
Malcolm frowned. “He did not laugh the first time, nor was he moved to tears on the second. Why was that?”
Samantha blew out a sigh. “I was not playing to aggravate you, Malcolm. I was performing an experiment, I suppose.”
“What kind and why?”
“I do not hear Cassian’s music,” she admitted quietly. “It has never happened to me before, and as much as I try, nothing is heard.”
“Have you spoken to mother?”
“Yes, she assured me that it has happened to her and that there will be people that I meet that I will not be able to hear.”
“You wanted to know if he could hear your music or if he was as deaf to yours as you are to his,” Malcolm realized.
“Yes,” Samantha nodded. “He did not.”
“I am certain that it means nothing,” Malcolm dismissed. “I am certain there are others who do not hear what you intend.”
She supposed he was correct, but it was still bothersome. Hers was a power intended to be used on someone. Nobody should have immunity, yet Cassian did.
“Just do not do that again,” he ordered, then left her alone.
Samantha sank back down onto the stool and stared at the keys.
Was there something broken between her and Cassian?
No, it was worse than that.
There was nothing connecting them. Not even a single note and that saddened Samantha more than anything.
Why was she so drawn to him when there was less between them than anyone else?
She heard the music of complete strangers, but Cassian would always be silent, and it depressed her far more than any emotion she could put out in the world.
Chapter 15
When Cassian entered the manor, he nearly left again. Everyone at Nightshade Manor was crowded around the dining room table and talking loudly and over one another as they broke their fast.
He crossed to the sideboard and filled his plate then took the only empty seat, which was beside Samantha.
No doubt it had been left that way intentionally because his family was likely still playing at matchmaking.
