“I am glad. Play for me.”
And she sat silently, having to remind herself to breathe, while he played. A few times he paused, once to say something incomprehensible to her about the first movement not yet having a conclusion, and again, he halted to scold himself overa mistake she could not detect before he stopped and lifted his fingers from the keys.
“That is all I have so far.”
“Clapping seems inadequate,” she said. “I cannot believe this didn’t exist until ... until this morning. It sounds perfect and complete.”
“It is hardly that!” But he was beaming. “Did I capture a little of Brilliance Diamond?”
“That is not for me to say. It sounded joyful and light.”
“Thatisyou! The woman I have come to ... to admire beyond all others. Then I will title it ‘Essence of Brilliance.’”
She found it nearly unbelievable — that they two should suit one another so perfectly — and wished they had more time before they separated.
“I received a letter from my mother yesterday. Your cousin and the Colonel are taking me up to Oak Grove Hall in two days.”
His expression sobered. “Derby is one hundred and fifty miles away. I consulted a surveyor’s map.”
Her heart sputtered. “That was quite premeditated of you. Are you planning to visit me?”
“I was thinking about doing precisely that.” Vincent left the piano and drew her to standing. “After all, I should ... that is, Iwantto speak to your father.”
He sounded as if he dreaded the prospect despite saying he wanted to.
“Lord Diamond is not the least bit frightening. And when I tell him of your magnificent gift — composing music that representsmyessence — he will be most impressed.”How fortunate that today she had a present for Vincent in return.
When he wrapped her in his arms, she wished that day could end with a proposal. Truthfully, she thought it a little old-fashioned to insist upon speaking to her father before he asked her properly to marry him. Regardless, she was more interestedin hearing his declaration of love because she desperately wanted to say it back to him.
The gift she was about to present would probably make clear how dearly she loved him and how he already held her heart.
“You look thoughtful,” he said. “And beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “As usual, you are very handsome. Since you have put your arms around me, will you draw me closer, please, and kiss me? After that, I have a present for you.”
“More oranges or cherries?” he teased. Then he patted her backside. “Are you hiding fruit in your skirts?”
She laughed. “I am not. Kiss me first, and then I’ll show you what I have brought.”
He leaned down and did as she asked, taking his time to kiss her slowly and thoroughly until her heart was beating so loudly she could hear it, certain that he could, too. His skillful hands palmed her rear end through her layers of shift, petticoat, and summer gown, tilting her against him.
She would swear her body was pulsing everywhere!
When he drew back, he said, “You don’t need to ask me to kiss you. It isn’t a chore, but a privilege. One I am happy to have the honor to do. One I can imagine doing every day.”
Was he going to propose right then?
She waited, but he did no such thing, and so she broke free. On the other end of the divan, under her reticule was a large envelope. Picking it up, she clasped it to her chest for a moment, beyond excited, and then handed it to him.
“What’s this?” he asked, already reaching in and sliding out the contents.
“Your music!” she exclaimed. “Printed at a London music publisher.”
Vincent stared at the top page of printed sheet music. His eyes grew wider, and then his cheeks took on a ruddy hue. Hedrew spectacles from his pocket and put them on slowly with one hand.
“My music,” he repeated at last, his voice a harsh whisper, sending a trickle of alarm through her. “How?” he demanded. “Did you steal it from me?”
“Steal it?” Brilliance was puzzled. “Well, I guess I did, but not to keep. The original music is safely in the envelope.” Since he was frozen, staring at the printed page, she gingerly took the envelope from him, reached in, and withdrew the pages.
