Whatever mirth he’d been feeling fled as David considered just what she was saying. Miss Leigh’s actions hadn’t been motivated by friendship. It wasn’t Flora she’d been saving.
No, Miss Leigh had opened herself up to public mockery, knowing she would pay a high price, to help all the other musicians—including many who had not treated her with kindness. Those people were going about their days, unaware of the price Miss Leigh had knowingly paid. And she didn’t expect them to ever acknowledge it.
In all honesty, David didn’t know if he had the fortitude or kindness of spirit to do such a thing. The lady was truly remarkable.
Miss Leigh’s lips pinched together, and she lifted her gaze to his with a hint of her usual laughter brightening her eyes. “And I will admit it was exceptionally entertaining to annoy all those people in the audience who sat there, criticizing the performers when they, themselves, have not a shred of talent or ability.”
That brought about the first genuine laugh David had given in some days. Though a smile flitted across Miss Leigh’s face for the briefest of moments, her hands paused once more, her gaze falling down to the keys.
“Miss Leigh?” he prodded.
She shook her head and continued with her song, the notes flowing from her memory to her fingers. Did she truly believe that she could avoid yet another question from him? For all that Miss Leigh was an intelligent creature, she did not learn quickly.
“What is it, Miss Leigh?”
Hands stilling, she gathered them in her lap, lowering her head as she stared at her fingers, entwined together. David watched her, not willing to allow the moment to slip, but not hurrying it along, either.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes bright with tears that would not fall. Miss Leigh’s eyes shone with her heart, as lovely as any lady could ever hope to possess.
Again, David’s soul lightened at the tenderness in her gaze. He couldn’t claim himself to be brilliant and possessing the quickest of minds, but he knew all too well how well the world had taught Miss Leigh to shy away from such vulnerability. That she allowed him that glimpse into her heart filled his own with such pleasure.
Yet still pain pulsed beneath that happy haze at the anguish hidden in those brown depths; David could well imagine how difficult the past few days had been for her.
“It is nothing. Hardly anyone uses it, and Mother and the girls will enjoy the music.”
Miss Leigh shook her head and dropped her gaze once more, gathering her nerves before raising her eyes and trying to speak, her voice wobbling the slightest bit.
“I wasn’t referring to the piano—though I do appreciate that more than I can ever say. Thank you for not assuming the worst of me. For recognizing my performance for what it was. Mama won’t stop speaking of it—” Miss Leigh’s voice halted, and she drew in a deep breath.
“I shall never understand why your family is so determined to see you in such a poor light,” he said, for there was no point in disagreeing with her. The Leighs had set their minds against her, and it seemed that no amount of evidence to the contrary would turn them from their path. “You are magnificent.”
David stood at her side, watching as she withdrew into herself. With furrowed brows, he tried to understand it. What was troubling her so much that she had cut him from her life? And what was the escape she had planned? For the first time, David began to wonder if they were connected somehow.
Was she leaving soon? Wishing to cut ties with him as well as her family?
His stomach burned, and he found it difficult to draw in a deep breath. Inching closer, he wished he could hear the thoughts churning in her head. It was clear that her mind was never quiet, yet she rarely gave voice to it. Would she ever share it all with him?
David didn’t know when he’d drawn so close, but he couldn’t help it. But neither did he know when Miss Leigh had become such an integral part of his life. She was always nearby with a teasing comment and a wry smile, and the past fortnight had proven to him just how intertwined their lives had become. Despite having survived without her for years, now that Miss Leigh was a part of his life, his heart throbbed at the thought of her disappearing. And David knew she would not return to Greater Edgerton.
Hang convention, he would insist on writing to her—let others make of it what they would, but he wasn’t going to deny himself that little contact. Even if it wasn’t enough.
Reaching out, he brushed a hand against her shoulder, drawing her gaze to his once more. Truly, he didn’t understand why so many believed her to be a heartless creature, for anyone could see it shining there in her eyes. Her expression showed no other indicators, but he felt her heartbeat pulsing in those brown depths.
Her wide neckline allowed his fingers to brush against the skin of her shoulder, and David jerked his hand back, his face heating as he cleared his throat. There was friendship and there was being overly familiar, and he’d crossed that line. Even if it was to offer comfort.
“Would you play me your concert piece?” he asked with a crooked smile.
Her brows rose at that. “So you may hear it properly?”
“Heavens, no. They cut short your performance that night, and I wish to hear it in all its wretched glory.”
Miss Leigh laughed, though it was closer to a snort, and she covered her mouth with a wince. “Dear me. I do not know if I shall ever be able to recreate that magnificence. Such magic cannot be recaptured.”
“Oh, but I insist,” he said, striding over to the far side of the room where a straight-back chair rested and dragging it to the piano’s side. “Come now. Don’t be coy.”
Screwing up her face, she moved as though to slam down her hands on the keys, but softened it at the last moment, playing the piece as the composer intended, rather than her unique interpretation.
“I shan’t abuse your instrument in such a manner,” she said, glancing at him as he leaned in. “I didn’t care two jots about Mrs. Garrison’s instrument, but I refuse to treat yours so shabbily.”
