Roses and Sonatas [Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns]

Chapter 35

The next few days were spent almost entirely in Mikhail's company. He took me all over the town of Port Crescent and its environs, exploring parks, gardens, and galleries, or we simply lazed about on the sandy beach, soaking up the sun. He showed me some of his favorite haunts, and we dined at cozy bistros and trendy restaurants. The weather was perfect—nowhere near as hot and humid as back home, but still clear and sunny, with a delicious breeze carrying the scents of salt water and flower gardens and the cries of gulls through my windows and across town every morning and evening.

On the third day after my arrival, the first of Mikhail's "prior engagements" cropped up. He had offered to play the ceremonial music for a friend's wedding. It was a small affair held on a sunny afternoon in a beautiful seaside garden full of roses and lilies and many other fragrant flowers. Mikhail's violin was the perfect touch, soft and romantic. At the reception afterwards, he introduced me to the groom, Stuart, and his new wife, Elena. "So, this is the lovely Alice," Stuart smiled at me as he took my hand. "She is stunning, Mikhail. Let me remind you that I look forward to one day playing for your wedding."

I blushed and, hoping to turn the subject away from the subject of our relationship, I asked, "Are you a musician, too?"

"Yes, my dear. I am a cellist, and my Elena is a violist. We enjoy performing together with Mikhail whenever he is in town, but alas, we lack the second violinist required to form a proper string quartet. But perhaps you, too, are a violinist?"

"No, I'm a farmer, not a musician."

"Indeed? I never would have imagined Mikhail enamored of someone who was not musical."

"She does play the violin, as a matter of fact," Mikhail interjected with an amused expression, "just not professionally. As an amateur, however, she is quite talented. I've been giving her lessons recently...."

His friend raised an eyebrow, commenting with smirk, "Yes, I don't doubt that for a moment."

I blushed even pinker at the innuendo, but before I could speak, a large, glittering woman swooped in and wrapped her arms around Mikhail in a smothering embrace. "Mikhail!" she shrieked in a rather strident voice. "Imagine seeing you here! How delightful!"

"Hello, Mrs. Bennett. How do you do?" Mikhail murmured, gently freeing himself from her grasp.

She clicked her tongue, saying with a playful jab of her finger, "Now, now, Mikhail—how many times have I told you? You must call me Mary. There's no need to be so formal!" Turning to look behind her, she called out, "Lizzie! Look who's here! Come say hello, darling!"

A rather skinny, pale young woman drifted over. "Yes, mama?" she asked timidly.

"Darling, look! It's Mikhail! Isn't it wonderful? Oh!" she exclaimed turning back to him. "I've just had a fabulous idea! There will be dancing very soon, won't there? Why then, you can dance with Lizzie! She'll be thrilled! Isn't that right, my dearest?"

"Ahh, sadly, I will have to decline," Mikhail said, firmly but with a ghost of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth. "You see, my dance card is already full, so to speak. One dance with the bride, of course, then the rest of my evening will be devoted to my enchanting companion. Alice," he said, turning to me, "allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Mary Bennett and her daughter, Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennett, Miss Bennett—Miss Alice Tremayne."

Mrs. Bennett turned towards me with a baleful glare. "And just who is she?" she sniffed, pulling herself up to her full, not-insignificant height.

I smiled sweetly at her, and replied, "How do you do? It's a pleasure to meet you. Mikhail and I are very old friends—since we were scarcely more than children."