Page 45
“She will be here shortly.”
Without any haste, he breaks a piece of lemon cake with his fork, lifts it, and observes it.
“They will want a performance from all of us together. It seems wise to prepare something in advance.”
Another cramp hits my side.
“They will... who exactly?”
“I heard that the Duke of Winterbourne wishes to organize a performance.” He pauses for a moment. With a slow movement, he brushes a stray lock of hair behind his ear. “The Duchess, in truth.”
“I see.” I sink back slightly into the armchair.
“I have performed with Lavinia in the past, and you have as well,” he tilts his body toward me, “but all three of us together? That has never happened.”
“Yes, I imagine it isn’t a bad idea, after all.”
“Three virtuosos with nothing in common,” his voice grows thinner. “Are you not eating anything, Evander?”
“I am not particularly fond of sweets.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I was surprised to see you in the cathedral choir days ago.”
He falls silent for a moment, his gray eyes lighting up.
“What did you think of it?”
“You already know what I think, Elijah.”
“Well... say it again.”
“Your voice is impeccable. The timbre is low, warm, and deep. It is impossible not to be moved.”
A satisfied smile curls his lips.
“Why do you seek the approval of others?”
“I seek the approval of no one. Mine is mere curiosity. To understand if those around me possess a modicum of intellect or not.”
I lift a corner of my mouth. “If someone doesn’t like you, then it is because they lack intellect?”
“Precisely,” his voice articulates the words slowly. “Intellect and soul.”
I bring a hand to my lips.
“I know you think it’s arrogance, but Evander... it is simply self-awareness, believe me.”
“Of course, I believe you, Elijah.” A light breath escapes me. “Anyway, I thought you weren’t inclined to attend religious services.”
He wipes his mouth with the napkin.
“I am not, in fact. But the Reverend literally begged me.”
“And you hate being begged, don’t you?”
“Think how satisfying it was,” he lowers his voice, “to see a man who prays only to God begging me. Almost more satisfying than carnal pleasures. But then it becomes insistent, and in the long run, tedious.”
