The Broken Daylily

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Talking to your spouse

It had been almost a month since they had returned from Lindenberg, and Thomas had not done much more than looking at papers and documents, hoping he would find something to improve his chances of catching Colston. It had not, hence his frustration.

The case had been taking up all his time that he had not noticed Madilyn's belly was showing until three days ago. He counted back the days and realized she was almost four months now.

Twas odd to think that only four months ago his life had changed so much. He had the feeling like it had been much longer. But they say time goes slow when you are not having fun. So did that mean he was not having fun? Was she?

Probably not. If so, she would go out of the house every once in a while, or invite some friends to come. He would have already seen her smile. But now – three months after their wedding – he must admit he had never seen her genuinely smile or heard her laugh. In all honesty, he did not know anything about her.

He had already realized that before, but every once in a while, the thought would come up and hurt him a little. She was his wife. She was living under his roof. She was carrying his child. Yet all he knew, was her name.

Suddenly, tunes of a violin filled the house. Thomas was surprised, for he did not have a violin in London. After thinking of it, he realized Madilyn must have taken the instrument from Lindenberg. How could he not have noticed?

And how was it possible that she was amazing at playing the piano, and she could play the violin? How can one person have so much talent in her body?

That is at least one more thing I know of her, he thought for himself. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, enjoying the music. But then he changed his mind. If he would show her he was listening to her talent, would that mean he made a step toward knowing her?

Not much later, guided by the image of the angry face of is mother if he would stay in his study, he found his way to the music room. Twas a small room that fitted only a piano. But somehow the piano had been moved aside and a small table was placed in the empty space. On it lay the empty violin case he recognized from Lindenberg. Next to it was Madilyn, playing the violin with her eyes closed.

Her face seemed calm and twas like she had forgotten all her worries. She looked peaceful.

The song she played was not optimistic, but not heart-breaking either. He liked to believe it was hopeful. Her arms made the bow move smoothly over the strings, producing a beautiful sound that made a diverse song.

When the song ended, her eyes remained closed for a while, like she could still hear it. When she opened her eyes, she noticed Thomas right away. Her eyes remained on him, surprise obviously displayed.

"That was beautiful," he said before she could apologize for disturbing him, like she had done the first time.

"Thank you," she merely said, then put the violin the case and closed it.

"Did you bring it from Lindenberg?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Yes," she answered. "I hope you do not mind."

"Of course not. No one plays it."

"Not even you?" she asked surprised.

He shook his head. "I can only play the piano."

"Then why do you have a violin and a harp in Lindenberg?"

"I inherited the estate from my uncle," he answered with a shrug. "He could play all the instruments. Twas his favourite room and I dare not touch it."