Godmother did like to have control over those who came to the manor, I realized this soon after she brought me here. Those who came stayed here.
I never heard what deal Master Shield struck with Godmother, but he was never required to stay on the property. He came early in the mornings and made sure to leave before the sun touched the western horizon. Even if we were in the middle of practicing a difficult piece, he’d make me stop as he hurriedly packed his sheets of music before practically running out the front door.
I never saw anyone actually depart from a gate. Somehow, they simply appeared on the front stoop and when they left, the moment the massive ornate front doors closed, they were gone. Just like that.
As I said before, magic has always surrounded me and been part of my life. It wasn’t until Master Shields brought his nephew Liam that I realized my life wasn’t normal at all.
Chapter 3
Present day.
With eyes still closed, I picture myself sitting beside the pond, humming my favorite tune. The song Liam and I wrote together. Music and words. Nobody has heard it yet. It is our special melody. Godmother would be furious to know we’ve collaborated in such a way.
If only she knew of the full extent of our collaborations.
Heat sears up my neck and over my cheeks. I quickly look around to make sure nobody is watching me, but of course, they aren’t. I’m invisible no matter where I go.
Except for him.
He’s standing beside me. Dangerous. I glance around to make sure we are alone, then breathe out a sigh of relief.
He pulls me away from the curtain and into a sheltered nook behind some stage decorations. His fingers trail down the side of my face. “Are you ready, love?”
I nod. Once again I’m swept away in Liam’s golden-green eyes, that crooked smile, the way his unruly hair falls over one eye and brushes against his cheek. He’s so beautiful, so unearthly, so captivating.
I clear my throat and ask, “Will it be tonight?”
His brows furrow. His head gives a slight shake, but I notice his doubt. “We’ll see, Rachel. I’m not sure if he’ll show up tonight. Wait for my signal. Promise?”
I’m tired of promising to wait. I’m weary of clutching onto the hope of escape. Most of all, I’m running out of time to be patient.
Three Years Past…
Master Shields worked with me for a full year before he began to introduce me to a special way of playing music. “You are so talented, my dear Rachel. A real nightingale, truly.” He always moved his hands about in a flourish when he spoke. He pulled a chair up beside the piano where I sat. Leaning in he said in a low voice. “But you can do so much more.”
I had no idea what he meant. Over half of every other day was dedicated to practicing on the piano or on voice lessons. He’d even tried to teach me how to play other instruments, but the piano was my passion, and he realized this right away.
“Listen, my songbird,” He placed a finger over his mouth. “This must be between you and I. Do you understand?” His gaze traveled toward the open door to the music room. Godmother was in the house, but taking care of management affairs while we practiced. More and more often, she’d leave me alone with Marcus. Orders were given to Miss Wrenn or Mr. Stimms to check in from time to time to see if we needed anything.
And to check that he was keeping to the agreed lesson plan.
I had a feeling that Marcus was about to deviate from Godmother’s plans. I nodded, letting him know that I did understand.
“Very good, such a smart girl. Here is what I wish for you to try.” He stood again and removed the music sheets from the stand. “Think of something that you want…such as something special to eat. We’ll keep it simple this first time. Put that thought forefront in your mind. While thinking of that desire, let the music flow from your fingers. While you are doing that, I will call in one of the servant girls. Let’s see what happens.”
I nodded again, then sat a moment thinking. Oh boy, there were so many things that I wanted. Except Marcus said that I needed to think of something easy. “I want my dessert now, instead of after supper.”
Marcus belly laughed and winked. “Good. That’s a very good place to start. Now, play and put all your desire into the notes, my dear. You have to really want it.”
I began playing and the song turned into a playful, happy melody. I could almost taste the apricot pie that the cook had baked that morning. With a scoop of her homemade vanilla ice cream. My mouth started watering.
Marcus hurried to the door and peered out. He spoke to someone in the hall. Gretta followed him inside, a feather-duster clutched in one hand. She took a seat in one of the wing-backed chairs and listened as I played with a huge smile on her face. When the song came to an end, she clapped, sending black feathers floating down around her feet.
“Oh, my, that was a delightful song, Master Shields. Thank you for inviting me in to listen.”
Gretta never spoke to me directly. As I’ve said before, very few on staff ever did. She hurriedly picked up the stray feathers then stood. “My but you two are working so hard. Can I interest you in a little snack, sir? There’s a fresh apricot pie cooling on the rack.”
I truly did hate how people here always talked around me. I wished they’d look at me and acknowledge that I was important enough to include in a conversation. Before I could stop myself, my fingers danced over the keys, playing a commanding short refrain that left me wide-eyed and amazed.
Gretta spun toward me; her own eyes wide with what I assumed was astonishment. She seemed just as startled by the musical outburst as I was. “Would the Miss like a scoop of ice cream to go with her dessert?”
I smiled. It had worked! “Yes, please. Thank you, Gretta.”
Something seemed to war inside of Gretta’s mind. Her mouth moved, but no other words came out. She gave a quick bow, then muttered that she’d return right away with a tray.
Marcus put in a request for a cup of strong coffee to go with his. Then he turned to me as soon as the maid was out of the room and clapped his hands. “Very good, very good indeed. See? I knew you could do so much more.”
Pulling the chair beside my piano bench, he sat again and leaned his elbows onto his knees. “Listen to me, Rachel.”
Whenever he used my given name, I knew he was serious. So, I gave him my full attention.
“What I just showed you must be used with great care. Do not attempt this when I am not here. I need your solemn promise.”
“But why?” Already my mind was churning over the possibilities of what this little ‘talent’ might mean for me.
“You will not be able to use it on your Godmother. Not yet, anyway. She’s too strong. So is your tutor and the cook. I let you experiment on the simplest-minded girl here. She is young and gullible. And human.”
I gasped. There it was. A distinction I’d known was there, but never fully understood. “Am I not human, Master Shields?” Nobody had ever said either way, though deep down, I already knew.
He cupped my hands in his. “No, my dearest, you are not. I suspect you may have been a stock child. You may have read about changelings?”
I had! In the books about the Faerie Worlds. I nodded.
“Very good,” he heaved a sigh. “I’m not sure why your true parents may have left you in the human world, but I’m sure they had their reasons. You are not the only one of your kind. But I cannot explain everything right now. She is returning.”
Marcus quickly stood and pushed the chair away with the back of his foot. He set another music book on the piano’s stand. “Let’s try Liszt’s La Campanella, my dear.”
He always had me working on the most difficult pieces when Godmother was present. I launched into the piece without even needing to glance at the notes on the page. They were too difficult to read anyway. Once I’d committed them to memory, it was easier to simply play, than to try to act like I was following along.
Had the people Godmother found me with not been m
y real parents? Was that why they were so willing to give me away? If I was a stock baby, who did I really belong to?
The more forbidden information I learned, the more questions I had.
Perhaps this was why Godmother restricted who I spoke to.
Soon as I finished, Godmother clapped appreciatively. “That was simply beautiful, Rachel. And you didn’t even miss a note this time. Marvelous. You are truly a wonder Marcus. Truly a wonder.”
Gretta entered at that moment, pushing a tray with the dessert I’d ordered up. I held in my smile as Godmother’s brows furrowed over the unscheduled treat. “What’s this?” Her tone was curt, causing the maid to flinch.
Marcus quickly explained that he’d offered me a special treat for playing the more difficult pieces.
“You know how I feel about indulging the girl,” Godmother’s snarl made her mouth turn down into a sinister frown. Her face darkened, like an impending storm. For a moment, I was sure she’d either kick the tray over in a rage or send it back with threats against the poor maid.
I was about to speak up to defend Gretta, but instead, started playing a calming tune. Even if Marcus said it wouldn’t work on Godmother, I put all my thought into distracting her from being angry.
Marcus remained still as a statue.
Gretta’s eyes widened and filled with tears. “I apologize Madam Estelle. Your protégé played so beautifully, I didn’t think it would hurt this one time.”
Blinking, Marcus seemed to come out of his trance and went to the maid’s defense. “I asked, Estelle. Rachel does deserve a treat now and then, do you not think? She works hard. Now, let us not get out of sorts, my dear. Come, the pie smells delicious, don’t you think?” His charming smile seemed to disarm Godmother.
My mouth dropped when she finally smiled and returned to looking like a fashionable older woman instead of a furious hag.
“You’re right, Marcus.” She nodded toward Gretta, giving her permission to set out the plates in the sitting area. “Come Rachel, and enjoy your little treat. I’m so pleased with your progress. I can’t say that enough.” We all sat around the small round table.
Gretta poured Godmother a cup of coffee, then served Marcus his. Her hands still trembled and soon as we were all settled with our dessert, she rushed from the room. I honestly couldn’t blame her for running.
“Marcus, though Rachel has come a long way, we’ll not cater to her every whim. She still needs discipline. I have set my rules down for a very good reason.”
“Of course, Madam,” he said, cutting off a small chunk of the flaky crust.
Godmother sipped the coffee. “Also, as to your earlier request, I still do not feel comfortable allowing her to perform before an audience. She’s still much too young.”
He bowed his head in a slow nod. “I understand Madam Estelle. Rachel is very precious to you. Perhaps we can reconsider in another year or so?”
He was still trying to talk Godmother into allowing me to play? In front of real people? Why? I almost choked on an apricot in my excitement. But I couldn’t let my emotions show.
“I’m adamant about this, Marcus.”
“Oh, I think that in time, you’ll be persuaded to change your mind.” He sent me a quick wink. But he’d said Godmother wouldn’t be swayed by my music, hadn’t he? Or had he said that she’d not be swayed easily? There was a difference.
Her anger had subsided when I’d started playing….
Marcus continued, “You are right, Estelle. She simply isn’t ready. Why she’d have to learn to play with other musicians. I’m sure, in time we can show her how to draw the deepest emotions from her audience, if you know what I mean, Madam.”
Godmother’s thin brows rose, causing the lines on her forehead to deepen. She seemed to contemplate his enticing promise. If only I understood the unspoken dialogue between them, but Godmother kept me so in the dark….
Today, I saw a faint glimmer of light. Of possibilities.
Marcus set his cup down. “Allow me to bring him, just to see. I’ll keep him at my side and he’ll follow the same rules everyone else here does.”
Godmother’s lips pursed and I knew she was on the verge of becoming angry. Marcus was fearless, I had to give him that. I wish I had an ounce of his bravery.
“Rachel,” she said, keeping her eyes locked on my instructor. “You are excused for the day. Go out to the garden. You need some time in the sunshine. You’re beginning to look a little pale.”
Though I was enjoying my treat, I abandoned it to hurry from the room before she turned her ire on Marcus. Perhaps he wasn’t afraid of Godmother, but I certainly was. And I had no desire to see one of her full-on angry outbursts.
Whatever happened between the two of them, I was never privy to. Somehow, Marcus had gained a small win because the next time he showed up, he’d brought his nephew, Liam.
Chapter 4
Present Day
My lips press tightly together. I’m ready, so ready. We can’t wait too much longer. My hand presses to my stomach. His rests on top of mine. “Liam, we’re running out of time.”
“I know.” He brushes a kiss against my temple. “I know. Trust me, love. I have a plan.”
The production manager rushes past our hiding spot. “We are on in three, people. Don’t forget your masks.” Then she is gone.
The mask. What a joke.
Liam’s arms tighten around me for a mere second before he disappears into the shadows. He’ll need to take his place before I’m called on stage by the announcer.
The mask is meant to cover my eyes so nobody will ever know what I truly look like, though there is much speculation. Adorn with sapphires and blue feathers that match my evening gown, the satiny material forms into a small beak that fits over my nose. Only my mouth remains uncovered, along with my blond, wavy hair hanging down past my hips.
The mask makes me sweat under the bright lights and it’s hard to see through the tiny slits in the eyes. Perhaps that’s how Godmother wants it. The less I see, the less I know, and the greater control she has over me. I am onto her game now. I understand her lies completely.
The lights on stage dim. Shadowed movements to the left move about as my ensemble takes their places. My heart races. I have to be careful, oh so careful, to not noticeably look at Liam. But it’s so hard. He is my rock, my heart, my soul-mate. Everything depends on him.
A voice booms through the auditorium, “For the moment you’ve all been waiting for…. Please put your hands together for Rachel Nightingale!”
Three Years Past…
Liam Shields.
Now, I’d not had the opportunity to meet many people in my sanctuary. There were a few men who helped Mr. Tunis keep up the yard, but they usually found elsewhere to go when I ventured into their workspace.
So, honestly, I didn’t have a lot to go on, but Liam was simply beautiful—inside and out. The first couple of times Master Marcus brought his nephew along, Liam stayed quiet and said only a few words to his uncle. Each spoken word captured a part of my heart and snatched my breath away.
He must have thought I was a complete idiot by the way I stuttered and stumbled over what few answers to questions Marcus asked. Not to mention how I kept knocking the music sheets off the stand and missing notes.
I never missed a note. Not anymore.
I’d just celebrated my eighteenth birthday when Marcus first started trying to convince Godmother to let me play before a real audience. I’m going to say, it was another two years before we finally got her to agree.
Between all that time, Liam happened to me.
He played the violin with such mastery that I swear the wind stopped blowing to listen. Seriously. There had been a breeze flowing in through the open doors and playing at my hair as it liked to do, and then he’d begun playing. The breeze stopped. My hair landed softly over my shoulders and stilled.
When his song ended, it was as if the earth heaved a pleasant sigh. I know how this sounds, but I’m be
ing completely honest. And I knew from that first moment, that Liam was just like me.
That must have been why Master Marcus worked so hard to get Godmother’s permission to bring him. When I’d first heard them arguing about the boy, I’d secretly hoped Godmother would stand firm. I’d never been around a boy my age and the idea made me nervous.
What if he thought I was odd?
What if he hated how I played?
What if he felt sorry for me? I think that would have been the worst.
I’d always told myself that I was fine here, oblivious to the outside world. I knew a little about it through the books I read, now that I could reach the higher shelves.
Godmother kept me safe. She said people on the outside wouldn’t understand me. Master Marcus never seemed to worry about how people would perceive my music.
That was something else that had me concerned. What if Godmother was lying all this time?
“Are you ready?” Liam asked in that soft, quiet voice of his. He had eyes the color of freshly polished silver surrounded by thick, dark lashes. His tight lips turned upward as if he held a secret just behind them, waiting to get out. He brushed back a strand of black hair that had fallen across his forehead with the tip of his bow.
I nodded and placed my fingers over the keys, not trusting my voice. It had a strange way of cracking when I spoke to him. How many times had I dreamed of being able to run my fingers through those thick curls that covered the tops of his ears and fell down to the base of his neck? He looked wild but was as calm as a warm summer day.
Liam only visited with his uncle once in a while. And lately, only when Master Marcus knew Godmother was traveling. Although she’d agreed to let Marcus bring his nephew, she’d only listened to him play a couple of times before deeming him acceptable.
I have a feeling that Marcus feared that she found his nephew too acceptable and had decided that he needed to protect his own protege, as well.
Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist Page 17
