A server came over then, which led to her cousins arguing about which champagne should be ordered, and Bernard shook his head.
‘Are they always like this?’ he asked her.
She grinned. ‘Always. In fact, the only reason he agreed to Belle coming out with him tonight was because it’s my birthday.’
Bernard smiled back at her. ‘Well, then, I can see why they’re arguing over which champagne to order. It’s an important occasion.’ He gestured for her to take a seat and she slid onto the cushion that curved around the table, pleased when he sat beside her, his leg brushing hers. ‘Happy birthday, Alexandra.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
He didn’t take his eyes off her, and she glanced down at the table before looking back up at him, curious as to why he was watching her.
‘Tell me, did you enjoy the performance last night?’
She sighed. ‘It was absolutely magical. I can’t imagine anything more incredible than mastering an instrument the way you have, and then dedicating your life to your craft.’
‘You’re a musician too?’
She shook her head, biting down on her bottom lip. ‘I play, but I wouldn’t call myself a musician.’
Bernard sat back and studied her, as if he could read her thoughts. ‘Do you play every day?’
‘Yes,’ she answered without hesitation.
‘Does it make you feel more alive than anything else in the world?’
The music on stage became louder then, and he leaned in closer to hear her answer.
‘Yes.’
Bernard smiled, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. ‘Then, Alexandra, you are a musician, whether you realise it or not.’
She let his words sink in as Will sat down beside Bernard. Belle didn’t look the least bit shy and had sat on the opposite side of the table.
‘Why didn’t you tell me your cousin was a musician?’
Will laughed. ‘Did she tell you that? Because whenever I tell her that she should audition for the academy, she insists she’s not one.’
Alexandra rolled her eyes, embarrassed to be the centre of conversation, but also secretly thrilled that Will had praised her so openly.
‘What is your instrument of choice?’
‘The violin,’ she said.
‘Ahh, so we are both lovers of the strings.’
The champagne arrived then and Will opened it, managing to splash it over the table. She had the chance to study Bernard amid the commotion, who had taken over the pouring and was in the process of filling the glasses. Alexandra noticed his hands first—long, tapered fingers—which of course made her recall what Will had said about him also being a talented pianist. But she quickly lifted her gaze to his face, drinking in his easy smile and strong jaw, his dark, almost black eyebrows that matched his hair.
‘May tonight be a birthday to remember,’ he said, when he turned to her and held out a glass.
She smiled and took a sip, the bubbles tickling her nose and causing mayhem in her throat. She felt them as they reached her stomach, which was already twisted into knots.
She had little doubt that it would indeed be a birthday to remember.
‘So tell me, Alexandra, how did you end up in London? I detect an accent.’
She raised her brows, leaning back into the seat as Bernard spoke to her. It was late now, although she wasn’t certain quite how late, and the others had either dispersed or were up dancing still. It was just the two of them at the table, and she was sitting at a slight angle so that she could face him.
‘I came here from Greece when I was twelve. It seems like a lifetime ago though, and I’ve tried very hard to make my accent as neutral as possible.’
