Eternal Melody Page 11

  Rebecca’s mouth gaped at this shocking news. Had Mr. Graysen really just proposed for both Luke and Ryan to spend an entire month in Germany? In her own emotional turmoil, Rebecca did not notice how Greta’s face darkened after Mr. Graysen’s announcement. But she did notice the elation on Ryan’s face and the unreadable sentiments of Luke’s countenance.

  Mr. Graysen resumed, “The reason I have chosen to make this announcement in front of all of you is that it is my sincere hope that this will be just the beginning of a liaison between our orchestra and Mr. Shundry’s quartet. In the future, others of you may be asked to temporarily step into other orchestras, which increases both our visibility and credibility. If we continue to build relationships with the international music community, it will be a very short time indeed before all of you splendid musicians receive global recognition!”

  The orchestra erupted into cheers and raucous hoots, thrilled by the prospect of becoming worldwide sensations. Rebecca listened with a drowning heart as Mr. Graysen instructed Greta to begin singing the same aria that she had massacred yesterday. This time, when Greta took the stage and chirped out the song, Rebecca detected several points where she not only sang horrendously off-key, but also sounded hoarse. In almost every line, Greta’s voice seemed to crack just a little bit more, and Mr. Graysen visibly winced as she warbled on.

  When the piece was mercifully over, the much more vocally gifted chorus began to rehearse in tandem with the instrumentalists. Rebecca sat stiltedly in her seat, hearing the music but not listening at all. All she could think of was the dreary prospect of both her brother and Luke leaving for Munich tomorrow. She would feel somehow naked without them, which struck her as strange. Surely it was understandable to want her brother to stay, but Luke had just come into her life barely a week ago. She had no logical reason to be so attached to him.

  It was absurd that she had come to Vienna with the sole purpose of launching an operatic career, and now her foremost concern was a man! Rebecca mentally chastised herself, irritated to be falling so easily for Luke Springwell after a lunch and a couple of stolen kisses. Thrusting her chin up defiantly, as though trying to will away her emotions, she thought how it might be more favorable for her career to have Luke gone for several weeks. Then she could pour all of her energy into convincing Mr. Graysen to promote her from understudy to lead singer.

  By the time rehearsal ended, it was already well into the evening, and Rebecca was famished. Since arriving in Vienna, she hadn’t been able to afford in indulging in the rich, butter-laden meals for which Austrian cuisine was famous. Trying to suppress a rumble in her tummy, she smiled casually as Luke and Ryan walked over to her together.

  “Hello fellows! You must be excited about going to Munich tomorrow.” She said brightly, concealing her forlornness.

  Ryan piped up immediately, “It’s incredible, Becky! This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I don’t even know what we’ll be playing there, but I don’t care. It’s just so remarkable that we’ve been asked to perform in Munich.”

  Clearly, Ryan had no idea what had developed between Luke and her, and Rebecca was glad. Residing in the same building and working for the same orchestra made discretion absolutely mandatory, and Rebecca could not afford for their colleagues to be speculating about a possible love affair.

  Luke interjected, “Yes, this is excellent news. I’m very grateful that Mr. Graysen thought to select me.”

  Rebecca watched Luke’s face closely as he spoke, trying to discern his emotion. On the surface, it appeared that he was pleased to be going, but not as childishly gleeful as Ryan was.

  “Should we all go out tonight and celebrate?” Ryan suggested, as Luke frowned conspicuously.

  “I’d prefer not to spend a rowdy night on the town when we have packing and other tasks to attend to.” Luke said.

  “Oh, I’m not talking about anything rowdy…just a nice dinner with the three of us.” Ryan countered, as Greta affixed herself to Luke’s side.

  “How about the four of us?” She asked, shooting Rebecca a deadly glower.

  Suddenly, Luke looked very uncomfortable, shifting in his place and folding his arms across his chest while subtly moving away from Greta. In that moment, Rebecca instinctively knew that there was some kind of connection between Luke and Greta.

  “I’d actually prefer to go back to my apartment, as it’s been a dreadfully long day. Please excuse me if I don’t dine with you all.” Rebecca said hastily, unwilling to spend another moment in Greta’s oppressive company, let alone an entire farewell dinner.

  Greta pouted prettily, linking her arm inside Luke’s. “Too bad. Have a nice sleep, Rebecca.”

  Before Rebecca could formulate a suitably biting reply, Luke again pulled away from Greta and said, “I’ll walk you back to your apartment, Rebecca. Ryan, you should probably talk to Mr. Graysen and see what travel arrangements have been made for us.”

  “And what shall I do?” Greta demanded hotly. “I need to eat!”

  Ryan looked at Greta with a glitter in his ocean blue eyes that disturbed Rebecca. “I’ll take you to dinner after speaking with Mr. Graysen.” He volunteered.

  Greta returned his gaze as though he were some sort of pesky rodent and said, “No! Never mind, I shall dine on my own.”

  With that rude reply, she sauntered away, leaving Ryan red-faced and embarrassed by her stark rejection.

  “She’s like a snowstorm, Ryan. The snowflakes look so pretty when they’re falling, but if you’re traveling through the storm, it will be perilous. You should be glad that she didn’t agree to have dinner with you.” Luke tried to restore some of Ryan’s common sense, if not his pride.

  Rebecca absorbed his words avidly, now convinced that there had been some kind of romantic association between Luke and Greta. The realization sickened her to the marrow.

  Shrugging off the rejection, Ryan said, “It’s fine. I guess I should ask Mr. Graysen to dinner anyway so that we can discuss everything like you said. Becky, I’ll stop by your chamber tomorrow morning to say good-bye. Oh, but you’ll already be at work, won’t you?”

  “No. I’ll be in my chamber. Please come by.” Rebecca did not elaborate on why she would not be at work.

  “Luke, I trust you to accompany my sister safely back to our apartment building.”

  “Absolutely. See you tomorrow.” Luke gave Ryan a hearty handshake before the latter hurried off to catch Mr. Graysen. “Alone at last.” Luke mused, as Rebecca remained stubbornly silent, giving him a frosty perusal.

  As soon as they had exited the rehearsal hall, Rebecca turned to him and snapped, “How do you know Greta?”

  Luke looked down, not wanting to make eye contact. “Greta is a co-worker. How else would I know her?”

  His obviously dishonest reply rendered Rebecca livid. “Tell me the truth! Is she your lover?”

  The accusing words sounded alien to her own ears, and Rebecca knew that she had no right to interrogate Luke. But the image of him with that talentless birdbrain made Rebecca ache with jealousy. No matter how inappropriate such feelings might be, they were real to Rebecca and she would be a liar to deny them.

  “Rebecca, your question surprises me.” Luke said. Then, perceiving the earnestness on her face, he knew not to toy with her, although her jealousy flattered him greatly. “All you need to know is that I had a relationship with her last autumn when I arrived in Vienna. It was utterly disastrous, and I don’t like to be near her.” He stopped as though the subject were closed, but Rebecca would not relent until she knew the whole story.

  “Why was it so disastrous?” She pressed, as the moon cast mysterious shadows over his features.

  Luke sighed heavily. “Because Greta is a very deceitful and cruel woman. She was betrothed when we were together and never told me. I had to find out on the street when her fiancé spotted us walking and threatened to murder me if I ever went near Greta again. But she’s so duplicitous that she betrayed him again shortly thereafter, and then
he deserted her.”

  “But she obviously still has feelings for you.” Rebecca pressed.

  “They cannot be called ‘feelings,’ Rebecca. A person needs a heart in order to feel, and whatever mechanism it is pumping blood through her veins, a heart it is not. If she appears interested in me, it is merely because she enjoys luring men into her trap and leaving them broken. I’ll have to warn Ryan about her again should he decide to try his luck with her when we’re back from Munich. Speaking of which, I’d really rather not go.”

  “Why?” Rebecca asked, still processing the information he had just given her.

  He placed a hand on her soft alabaster cheek, sprinkled with light freckles that enchanted him. “Because I am just getting to know you. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time we’ve had together . I don’t want to leave you on your own. You’re liable to find some wealthy gentleman who will steal you away forever.”

  “That’s a ridiculous notion, Luke, and you know it.” Rebecca scolded.

  “It’s not the least bit ridiculous. Don’t you know how beautiful you are? I’ve never seen a woman who looks like you. Redheads are so rare, and genuine ladies are even rarer.” He folded her finely boned hand inside of his bulkier one and gave a gentle but meaningful squeeze.

  Rebecca wanted desperately to believe him, but the knowledge that he had bedded Greta made her take pause. What if this was his way of operating, to bait a woman with clever conversation and delicious compliments? What if he simply had a fondness for singers? The suggestion shook her with doubt.

  “You must say that to all the young sopranos you come across.”

  Though the words had been spoken in a teasing tone, Luke took offense. “Rebecca, I don’t appreciate that insinuation. I’m a lonely man, and I have occasionally sought to alleviate that loneliness, but I have not conquered a string of courtesans or virgins, for your information.”

  Hearing his self-reference of ‘lonely’ touched Rebecca and made her instantly regret what she had implied. “I’m sorry. I guess we’re even now for when you thought I was a lady of the night!”

  His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Yes, we are even. I’ll accept that.” Luke squeezed her hand again as they walked towards their apartment building. When they were just two blocks away, he pointed to a crowded restaurant on the corner. “Would you accompany me to dinner, milady?” He asked dashingly.

  “Yes sir, I will.” He opened the door and followed her in to the back of the restaurant, choosing a table in a quiet nook near picture windows. The other diners were situated several tables away, providing Luke and Rebecca with ample privacy.

  “You must order whatever you want.” Luke instructed, as he opened a menu.

  Rebecca already had her eye on the cream of pumpkin soup, but she was so tired of subsisting on a liquid diet with crusts of bread interspersed. If Luke wanted her to enjoy herself, then she would accept that invitation and order something far more satisfying than soup.

  “Does the braised beef look good to you?” He asked.

  “Yes, but that’s very expensive…”

  “Don’t say that Rebecca. You’ll insult me. Price is not to be a factor tonight. Besides, I’m going to be a guest performer in Munich. There’s no telling where that could lead!”

  “That’s quite a happier tune from the dirge you were crooning last night!” Rebecca observed, pleased with the turnaround in Luke’s mood, but disheartened that it originated from his having to leave Vienna.

  “Everything is new in the morning.” Luke commented lightly.

  “Yes, Ryan told me something to that effect the other night. I’m glad you share that optimism.”

  “It’s easy to be optimistic when things are going your way. The real test is how one reacts during crisis. Does one bury one’s face in a pillow or punch a wall? Or does one scoff it off and proceed with diligence?”

  She thought how Luke’s words would serve her well during the meeting she had to call tomorrow with Mrs. Denmaker.

  “I’ll try to keep those words resonating in my head, Luke. I’ve encountered more adversity than I thought I would since arriving here. I suppose I expected a sort of fairy land. Any place that is an ocean away from one’s home is easy to idealize. But it’s not Christmas Eve, I’m not Clara, and there’s no Sugar Plum Fairy to dance for me.” She said reflectively, alluding to her favorite ballet, The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.

  “That doesn’t mean that there isn’t magic in the air.” Luke smiled mysteriously, as his eyes took on an opal glint in the dimly lit restaurant.

  When the server arrived to take their orders, Luke commanded the braised beef for Rebecca and trout fished from the Danube River for himself. When the platters were served, Rebecca plunged in enthusiastically, savoring every bite of the meal that to her was a delicacy. When nothing remained on her plate but a few drops of gravy and her fork, she exhaled contentedly, as her belly had not been so comfortingly full since she left Michigan.

  “That was scrumptious. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it.” Rebecca sighed.

  “Good. A wisp of a girl like you could use a meal like that once in a while.” He winked.

  “Wisp of a girl? My figure is perfectly regular,” She defended, thinking enviously of the lush roundness of Greta’s body. If Luke preferred overstuffed hourglasses, then he would be quite disappointed with her.

  “Relax, Becky. It was not an insult. You have an elegant shape that I am sure many men admire.”

  Rebecca frowned. “Why are you always talking about other men? I’m here with you, not anyone else.”

  “Certainly, you are here with me. But I’m leaving tomorrow and you’ll likely forget all about me.”

  “Perhaps you’ll forget about me! I’m sure there are plenty of women in Munich who will like you.” What Rebecca wanted to say was that the wenches would throw themselves unabashedly at him. Between Luke’s firm, Olympic-worthy physique and his refined manner, he was a most desirable bachelor indeed.

  “No, Rebecca, I don’t care what women there will be in Munich. I’ll be dreaming of you.” With that tantalizing admission, he reached into his pocket for some currency to pay for their dinners. “Shall we leave?” He asked and waited for her to stand before he rose from the table and slid an arm around her waist as they left the restaurant.

  *****

  In the moonlit corridor outside Rebecca’s chamber, both found it impossible to say good night. Tossing out all notions of propriety, Rebecca daringly invited him to come inside.

  “Would you like to see my chamber? I haven’t had the chance to show you my prized possessions.” She said laughingly, feeling strangely inebriated by her bold proposal blended with Luke’s compelling nearness.

  “Of course I would like to see your chamber.” Luke raised his eyebrows, intrigued that she had invited him inside.

  She opened the door and let out a sweeping exclamation of “Voilà!”

  “So this is the room where you lay that pretty head every night.” Luke murmured, peering around, as his gaze rested irrepressibly on her unmade bed, strewn with linens and a stray pair of white culottes.

  Her eyes glowed with pleasure from his compliment as she responded, “Yes, this is where I get a dreadful night’s sleep every night on that rocky mattress!” Then, registering the disorder of the bed, she blushed and bit her lip.

  “Well you must not require much beauty rest then because you always look ravishing.”

  “Are you always this flattering, or is it just because you’re in a lady’s chamber?” She asked in genuine curiosity, beginning to wonder if his outpouring of praise was merely a calculated method to get her in a supine position. Suddenly, the image of Luke entwined with Greta flashed into her mind, leaving her breathless with dismay and uncertainty.

  “First of all, I never offer empty compliments. Second of all, there are more direct ways to a lady’s bed than flattery.”

  “Such as?” She pursued, as he opened the circle of his arms and pulled he
r into an almost painfully tight embrace.

  “Such as this.” He whispered against her neck, parting his lips to kiss and then lightly graze the tender flesh with his teeth.

  Rebecca let her head fall back as her hair cascaded freely, and she granted him generous access to her upper body. Feverishly, already in a heightened state of arousal, he grabbed fistfuls of her hair, pulling on it while he ravished her neck and collarbone. Unaccustomed to carnal encounters, Rebecca felt instantly aflame with an urgency to be fully possessed by Luke. Through a haze of passion, she thought how she might not be able to stop him tonight.

  Luke moved from her pale neck to her face, reclaiming her lips whose luscious flavor he now could taste even in his dreams. She writhed against him where they stood, mere inches away from the messy bed, sliding her body up and down his steely chest in an effort to get as close to him as possible. When Luke gently lowered her onto the bed and began to undress her, she did not utter the slightest protestation. Instead, she watched him with hooded eyes, as he peeled off her stockings, reveling in the softness of the slender legs he uncovered.

  He caressed her feet, which Rebecca had always thought were far too large, but he seemed not to care. She tensed a bit when he slipped an exploratory hand under her skirt to skim her nude thigh. Then, she allowed herself to relax again and bask in the warmth and rapture of his touch, more flattering than his words could ever be.

  When a knock sounded at the door, Rebecca was sure she had imagined it, as she closed her eyes and felt herself swirling around while Luke fondled her thighs. Then the knocking increased and was accompanied by the insistent sound of Ryan’s voice.

  “Rebecca, are you in there?”

  Chapter Twelve