‘Ready,’ she said, breathing deeply as she lifted the violin.
After she’d played the first few notes, as the entire band began to join in and Gigi started singing, Alexandra could barely wipe the smile from her face. If Bernard’s goal had been to make her feel more alive than she’d ever felt before, to make her fall even more in love with music, and to believe that she belonged on the stage, then he’d most definitely succeeded.
22
‘Alexandra!’
She’d fallen asleep in Bernard’s bed. Alexandra sat up and rubbed her eyes, disorientated for a moment as she glanced around. Her violin was where she’d left it on the chair, sheets of music strewn everywhere, and Bernard was standing in the entrance to the door.
‘What time is it?’ she asked, as he came to sit beside her. ‘And why do you look so excited?’ His eyes were wide, and he couldn’t stop smiling. ‘Is it truly so amazing, finding me in your bed in the afternoon?’
Bernard leaned forwards and claimed her mouth with a kiss. ‘Yes, it is truly so amazing finding you here, all rumpled from sleep, but that’s not why I’m smiling.’
She caught him around the back of his neck with her hand and pulled him towards her, indulging in one more kiss.
‘Alex, I have news.’
She reluctantly let him go. ‘Tell me. I can see you’re about to burst.’
‘The orchestra is auditioning next month for new string members.’ He grinned. ‘And they’re officially opening up to female musicians for the very first time.’
She met his gaze, her heart immediately starting to pound. ‘They’re not,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t believe you.’
‘Alex, this is not something I would say if it weren’t true.’ He smoothed a fallen strand of hair away from her face. ‘You could audition.’
‘No,’ she gasped. ‘I’m nowhere near good enough, I’m—’
‘One of the most talented violinists I’ve ever heard play,’ he interrupted. ‘I only wish you could see yourself as I see you. Alex, you have as good a chance as anyone else.’
‘You truly believe so?’
‘I absolutely believe so. And at the very least, they will become aware of you.’ His hand rested over her leg, his eyes never leaving hers. ‘This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, thatwe’vebeen waiting for.’
She swallowed, her mind suddenly racing. ‘But what piece would I play? How many pieces would I be expected to perform? When—’
‘Slow down,’ he said with a grin. ‘I’ll find out everything I can tomorrow, and we can talk to the other violinists to see what they think might impress the panel.’
Alexandra flopped back into the pillows, groaning and covering her face with her hands.
‘I don’t even know if I could walk on stage. You have so much confidence in me, but—’
‘Stop,’ Bernard said. ‘At some point, you have to believe in yourself. You are a musician, Alexandra, and musicians have an obligation to share their talent with the world.’
‘Oh, really,’ she said, laughing at the earnest expression on his face.
‘Yes,’ he replied, grinning back at her. ‘It is. But the other obligation you have right now is going home, so your uncle doesn’t send out a search party for you. He’ll have my head on a spike if he finds out you’ve been here all night.’
‘You never did tell me what time it was.’
‘It’s after lunch,’ he said, moving out of her way when she leapt up, scooping up her papers and putting her violin in its case, before quickly dressing.
‘I’ll see you tonight?’ she asked, smoothing the rumples from her clothes and straightening her hair in the mirror. It was starting to grow out now, so it was finally transforming from manicured bob back to the more tousled, longer style she’d always had.
Bernard came up behind her and swept her hair from her neck, placing his lips there instead. She leaned back into him, smiling as he trailed kisses across her skin.
‘Look at yourself, Alexandra,’ he murmured.
She opened her eyes, looking at his reflection in the mirror before slowly training her gaze on herself. Bernard’s body skimmed hers from behind, and he placed his hands on her shoulders as he smiled at her.
