Read Online Rumors and Promises by Kathleen Rouser - Free Book Online
Authors: Kathleen Rouser
Ads: Link
grinned.
“Well, I must say, it sweetened the deal.”
The dark polished wood gleamed in the daylight that streamed through the parlor window. He pulled the seat out for her. She sat down and lifted the lid from ivory keys. Sophie had to touch them to see if they were real.
“It’s a Bidershem piano, one of
the
best in the country.” Reverend McCormick gestured toward it.
“Why yes.” She nodded. “So it is.” Her voice caught in her throat, and she looked away. Heat crept up her neck and spread to her cheeks. She wanted to hide, to fold up like sheet music and slip underneath the cumbersome instrument.
The piano loomed before her. The shining mahogany finish made her want to cry for the desire of having one of these beautiful pianosagain. Its clean ivory keys begged her to touch them, and yet they mocked her. Weren’t they so much like the ones she had learned on?
Sophie gripped its edge and swallowed against the burning sensation at the back of her throat. She tried not to shake visibly, yet her whole being trembled inside until a shiver coursed down her spine. She blinked and then focused on arranging the music in front of her, anything that would make the reverend and Maggie believe that nothing was amiss.
Sophie brushed her fingertips across several keys. Two expectant people watched her. She wondered if she could muster the strength to play the splendid instrument before her, one that was so deeply entwined with her past.
CHAPTER 4
T he clean smell of soap and a spicy, citrus scent made Sophie more aware of Ian McCormick’s presence as he leaned casually against the side of the piano. “Is something wrong, Sophie?”
“I’m a little warm.”
For one thing.
The heat of turmoil, fear, and embarrassment worked its way from inside to out.
With a shaky hand, Sophie opened the sheet music before her and set her fingers to performing. She had played this brand of piano over a thousand times before. Once she steadied her fingers, they flew over the keys and Chopin’s composition filled the room, drowning out even the childish laughter of Caira and Philip. For several minutes, the world’s cares ceased to exist. Sophie took solace in the music, transported to another time and place in her mind.
How old had she been at her first recital? Eight? Nine? She remembered looking down and clasping her hands together until Papa prompted her to greet each guest at the entrance to their large parlor. She walked across deep burgundy and hunter green Persian rugs and sat down on the stool provided. Paul stood next to her, nodding and smiling. Her brother readied himself to turn the pages as she scaled the keyboard. Papa, Mama, and all the audienceclapped after the last chord had been pounded out. Sophie had adored the feeling of such approval.
Maggie’s piano transported Sophie far away from the others in the parlor. With passion, she poured the aches of heart and soul, betrayal and love lost out through the music she played. Relieved, she finished, looking up to find the reverend staring at her with his mouth open. He tapped his forefinger on his chin for a moment.
“Ian, this young woman deserves applause!” Maggie clapped and her brother joined in. Soon Caira left Philip with a pile of blocks and climbed up next to Sophie so she could bang on the keys. Then the little one smiled and clapped as though hoping to gain the same approval her mama had.
“That’s an incredible gift you have!” Did the depth of expression in his lake-colored eyes reveal admiration? Was it possible?
Sophie bowed her head. The emotional energy she’d given to her playing left her spent. Sadness returned. The real world surrounded her again. “Thank you.” She caressed the ivory keys once more before she stood from the bench to face the present.
“Would you play something else for us?” Reverend McCormick placed his elbow on the piano.
“No, we should take our leave. Caira is sleepy, and I’m afraid I’ve already taken
“Well, I must say, it sweetened the deal.”
The dark polished wood gleamed in the daylight that streamed through the parlor window. He pulled the seat out for her. She sat down and lifted the lid from ivory keys. Sophie had to touch them to see if they were real.
“It’s a Bidershem piano, one of
the
best in the country.” Reverend McCormick gestured toward it.
“Why yes.” She nodded. “So it is.” Her voice caught in her throat, and she looked away. Heat crept up her neck and spread to her cheeks. She wanted to hide, to fold up like sheet music and slip underneath the cumbersome instrument.
The piano loomed before her. The shining mahogany finish made her want to cry for the desire of having one of these beautiful pianosagain. Its clean ivory keys begged her to touch them, and yet they mocked her. Weren’t they so much like the ones she had learned on?
Sophie gripped its edge and swallowed against the burning sensation at the back of her throat. She tried not to shake visibly, yet her whole being trembled inside until a shiver coursed down her spine. She blinked and then focused on arranging the music in front of her, anything that would make the reverend and Maggie believe that nothing was amiss.
Sophie brushed her fingertips across several keys. Two expectant people watched her. She wondered if she could muster the strength to play the splendid instrument before her, one that was so deeply entwined with her past.
CHAPTER 4
T he clean smell of soap and a spicy, citrus scent made Sophie more aware of Ian McCormick’s presence as he leaned casually against the side of the piano. “Is something wrong, Sophie?”
“I’m a little warm.”
For one thing.
The heat of turmoil, fear, and embarrassment worked its way from inside to out.
With a shaky hand, Sophie opened the sheet music before her and set her fingers to performing. She had played this brand of piano over a thousand times before. Once she steadied her fingers, they flew over the keys and Chopin’s composition filled the room, drowning out even the childish laughter of Caira and Philip. For several minutes, the world’s cares ceased to exist. Sophie took solace in the music, transported to another time and place in her mind.
How old had she been at her first recital? Eight? Nine? She remembered looking down and clasping her hands together until Papa prompted her to greet each guest at the entrance to their large parlor. She walked across deep burgundy and hunter green Persian rugs and sat down on the stool provided. Paul stood next to her, nodding and smiling. Her brother readied himself to turn the pages as she scaled the keyboard. Papa, Mama, and all the audienceclapped after the last chord had been pounded out. Sophie had adored the feeling of such approval.
Maggie’s piano transported Sophie far away from the others in the parlor. With passion, she poured the aches of heart and soul, betrayal and love lost out through the music she played. Relieved, she finished, looking up to find the reverend staring at her with his mouth open. He tapped his forefinger on his chin for a moment.
“Ian, this young woman deserves applause!” Maggie clapped and her brother joined in. Soon Caira left Philip with a pile of blocks and climbed up next to Sophie so she could bang on the keys. Then the little one smiled and clapped as though hoping to gain the same approval her mama had.
“That’s an incredible gift you have!” Did the depth of expression in his lake-colored eyes reveal admiration? Was it possible?
Sophie bowed her head. The emotional energy she’d given to her playing left her spent. Sadness returned. The real world surrounded her again. “Thank you.” She caressed the ivory keys once more before she stood from the bench to face the present.
“Would you play something else for us?” Reverend McCormick placed his elbow on the piano.
“No, we should take our leave. Caira is sleepy, and I’m afraid I’ve already taken
Similar Books
