“I am sorry. They are creased, as I folded them.”
“To sneak them out of my house.”
“Yes,” she agreed. It sounded nefarious when he put it like that. “I wanted you to see your work in print. Now anyone can buy it and play it.”
He closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them he asked, “The title? Where did it come from?” His tone was unwaveringly flat, while his finger ran over the words “The Starling.”
“I ... I made it up because yours had no title. But I have no idea what this sounds like, so I don’t know if it is more of a falcon or a sparrow.”
“I see. And yet you didn’t put my name on it. Why did you have it published anonymously?”
“I wasn’t entirely sure you would approve of your identity being known as the piece’s composer. Perhaps you think a minister of Parliament should not also dabble in musical composition.”
“Dabble?” he repeated. “You would steal my music and have it printed for the world to see, but you have integrity when it comes to protecting my identity. How curious.”
Brilliance was beginning to realize that he wasn’t at all pleased by her gift from Boosey & Co.
“Are you angry? They are a reputable music publisher, I assure you. Should I have instructed them to put your name on the music?”
“You shouldn’t have taken it and had it published at all. Angry doesn’t begin to cover how I’m feeling.” He tossed the pages onto the divan beside them before striding to the piano, keeping his back to her. “What if the piece was unfinished? What if I hated it and had no intention of ever letting anyone hear it?”
“Do you hate the piece?” she asked.
“That isn’t the point. It was not yours to send to London. And now that you have published it anonymously, what if someone else claims to be the composer?”
“Why would someone do that?” she asked, going closer and putting her hand on his arm. Vincent flinched.
“You are like a child!” After uttering those hurtful words, he stormed from one side of the room to the other, pacing. “A willful, careless child! Except far worse because you can do the damage of an adult. An immature, foolhardy, reckless adult,” he fumed. “I cannot even call you spiteful because you would have had to think this through with malevolent intent, and I know you to be too much of a dunderhead for such calculated malice!”
Brilliance’s eyes pricked with tears. When a single one escaped and rolled down her cheek, she dashed it away with the back of her hand.
“Oh no you don’t!” he said. “That’s an old trick. You can appear as pathetic as you like, but I shall not take any notice. I clearly told you my performing was against the pluck and that I had an abhorrence to transcribing my music, let alone having it printed. Didn’t you believe me? Or did you rush ahead with utter disregard for my wishes?”
Brilliance had no defense. There was nothing she could say to bring back the friendly, loving Vincent of moments earlier. Thus, she stayed silent, unable to think of any excuse for her actions,which had seemed so appropriate until he’d pointed out that they were not.
Still, she ought to offer an apology, even though she didn’t understand why he was so upset.
“I am sorry to have —”
“I suggest you return to my cousin’s home without delay.” He went to the window. When he turned, she could hardly see his face for the summer sun at his back. But she knew his expression was twisted with anger. “And I must request that you do not return. If you come knocking at my door, I promise you shall not be admitted.”
Snatching up the printed pages, he strode from the room without a backward glance.
“I love you,” she whispered over the sound of his footsteps as he crossed the front hall. She could still smell his cologne, rich and peppery, the one that always made her tingle.
Looking around, she had nothing to retrieve except her reticule, which she slid over her wrist. Then she inspected her hat, making sure it was still on and relatively straight. Even though he was being beastly, she could see now that she deserved it. She had overstepped.Again!And this time, unlike when she’d put his name on the list of the evening’s entertainers, it seemed there were no more chances, no further forgiveness.
If she’d been a different sort of female, she would sink to the carpet in a puddle of hysterical waterworks. In truth, she felt like sobbing, but she would wait until she was back in her room at Lady Twitchard’s.
Although she might allow herself a little cry in the carriage on the short ride back. Sure enough, as soon as she and Belinda were in her host’s borrowed conveyance, Brilliance turned her face to the window and let her tears spill over and course unchecked down her cheeks.
Two days later, without any further communication between them, she departed Bexley for Oak Grove Hall in Derby.
Chapter Nineteen
Vincent ignored the missives from his cousin. He expected a heartfelt request for forgiveness from Brilliance, but one never came. Not that it would have made any difference. She did not understand how egregious her betrayal. Moreover, she apparently thought a barely uttered apology — while he was too blisteringly furious to listen — had been enough.
She was wrong. He had trusted her! A mistake he would not make again.
