{"id":7614,"date":"2014-05-09T12:31:18","date_gmt":"2014-05-09T16:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7614"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:17:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:17:23","slug":"night-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7614","title":{"rendered":"Night Music (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>Adam is surprised with a little night music. A story for the Halloween season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K+ Word\u00a0count:\u00a0<\/span>1471<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Night Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

The grand piano stood in an alcove designed to give resonance and act rather like a stage. The instrument itself was a work of art. The rich color of its polished wood gleamed smoothly as its intricate carvings added texture. Its bench was covered with a floral design in petite point that must have taken a hundred hours to complete. Adam walked over and gave in to the urge to place his fingers on the ivory keys. Even the haphazard blending of the notes produced supplied a richness of tone achieved by no other piano he had ever heard. The sound of footsteps on the marble floor caused Adam to raise his fingers reflexively. Turning toward the approaching figure of Abraham Augustus Delecorte the Fourth, he gave a slight but apologetic smile. \u201cI… I couldn\u2019t resist.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo need for you to resist, Adam. First impressions aside, this is not a museum. That piano was meant to be played. Do you…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cNo, no. I\u2019d love to hear it played though. You must have…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHad lessons.\u201d Abe chuckled. \u201cFather paid increasingly extravagant sums to three different teachers before Mother accepted the fact that I had not one musical bone in my body. Mother used to play, of course, but with more perseverance than talent, I\u2019m afraid. She hasn\u2019t in years though. I\u2019m surprised the thing is still in tune.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam ran his fingers lightly over the surface of the dark wood. \u201cIt would be a sin if it wasn\u2019t, if an instrument like this was left to …\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abe\u2019s voice interrupted, \u201cI suppose it would.\u201d Adam looked into his friends face and saw sadness flicker in the depths of Abe\u2019s eyes. \u201cThere\u2019s no one to play it in the manner it deserves though, not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abe\u2019s last two words were a whispered afterthought. Before Adam could voice a response, a melodious chime filled the air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDinner is announced.\u201d Abe declared cheerfully. Placing a hand on his guest\u2019s arm, he steered Adam toward the dining room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~*~<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced back at the huge bed with is mound of pillows and velvet coverings and shook his head. He had spent the past half hour lying in its comfort, but sleep had not come, so he had risen and walked to the French doors leading onto the private balcony. He opened the door and stepped outside. Staring up at the stars, he felt melancholy descend upon him. Homesick. That\u2019s what I am. Lounging in the lap of luxury like some medieval prince, and all I want is to laugh with Hoss at the pictures in the gallery or catch Little Joe as he slides off that banister. I might even risk Pa catching the both of us for a slide on that one<\/i>.\u00a0 He wrapped his arms around his chest as the night chill seeped into his bones. Turning and entering the room again, he glanced around. He had finished the book he had brought with him and despite the lavish furnishings of the room not a shelf or case for books was in sight. There are\u00a0nearly a thousand volumes in the library.<\/i>\u201d Mrs. Delecorte had given Adam the grand tour of the house on his arrival and placed all of its offerings at his disposal. Deciding to avail himself of a book and read until sleep came. He put on his robe and slippers and headed downstairs. He was standing in the library scanning titles when he heard the music. Who? Abe said no one played, and it\u2019s after midnight.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was nothing to be done but walk immediately toward the sound. Adam paused as he opened the door to the drawing room. Moonlight came through a dozen windows and seemed to focus on the alcove. There was enough light to discern the figure of a girl seated upon the piano bench.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chopin. She\u2019s playing Chopin.\u00a0<\/i> He stood motionless and listened not wishing to interrupt. As the last notes of the nocturne faded, he took one step forward. The girl at the piano turned her head, looked directly at Adam, but did not speak. As she turned back toward the piano, her fingers moved once more over the keys. The melody was simple and sweet and brought a gasp from Adam. He felt a lump rise in his throat and fought to keep tears from filling his eyes. How. . .how could she. . .\u201d <\/i>The song was a folk tune, a Creole folk tune that Marie had used as a lullaby for Little Joe. He stumbled back and closed the door. He did not run, but his return to his room took far less time then had his decent to the library. Closing the door firmly behind him, he went to the crystal decanter beside the bed and poured a glass of water. Downing it in two gulps, he sat down on the bed chiding himself for his foolishness. It was close to two in the morning before sleep overcame him, and he tossed restlessly until morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~*~<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Adam\u2019s relief, only Abe was in the dining room when Adam went down for breakfast. He greeted his friend and then automatically filled a plate from the chafing dishes on the sideboard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t sleep well.\u201d Abe\u2019s words were an observation not a question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gave a dismissive shrug. \u201cYour home, my friend, is a bit overwhelming for a country boy like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d invite myself to yours for the next break but for the slight impediment of how many miles?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cToo many.\u201d Adam tried for a light, nonchalant smile, but Abe heard something more in his friend\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Setting down his coffee cup, Abe spoke softly, \u201cI suppose for you it truly is too many at times.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked at Abe and told himself it really was a good thing that his classmate was a sensitive and perceptive person, but at that moment he did not believe it. Looking to change the subject, Adam said, \u201cI thought you said that no one in the house played the piano well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one plays anymore at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone did last night.\u201d Adam took a forkful of eggs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLast night?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam chewed and swallowed. \u201cI went down late looking for a book in the library. I heard the piano and, well, a girl was playing. She played beautifully.\u201d He took another bite of eggs before his eyes went toward Abe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I didn\u2019t see her very well.\u201d Adam paused, shifted, and then said quickly. \u201cWe didn\u2019t speak; I didn\u2019t want to disturb her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sound was strangled, and Adam took a good look at Abe\u2019s face. The blood had drained from it, leaving the young man with a sickly pallor. \u201cAbe? What in the world?\u201d Adam half-rose, but Abe motioned him back into his chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s…well, the thought of a girl playing; it just…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abe gave a shake of his head and then sighed. \u201cThe only one with any musical talent in the family was my sister Anne.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour sister? I didn\u2019t know; you have a sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHad. I had a sister. Anne died when I was eleven.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m. . .I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abe gave Adam a weary smile. \u201cIt reminds us all of Anne to hear that piano. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s actually been played a dozen times since then.\u201d Abe\u2019s teeth sunk into his lower lip. \u201cYou say you heard someone playing it last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam wished fervently that he had never mentioned the incident, but there was no retracting his account. \u201cYes.\u201d Abe shuddered, and Adam quickly interjected, \u201cThere\u2019s an explanation; I\u2019m sure. One of the servants, I suppose. That\u2019s why she was playing so late; she thought everyone would be asleep upstairs. Anyone who plays would find that piano irresistible.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abe answered like a man grabbing a lifeline, \u201cOf course! That\u2019s it, surely.\u201d He pushed the unlikelihood of a housemaid having had piano lessons from his mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s why she didn\u2019t speak. I probably scared the poor girl to death. Would she be in trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMmmm, she would probably think she would be, with the housekeeper if not with my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to get anyone in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just not mention it then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, we won\u2019t. That would be best.\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They never did mention it again even though Adam often wondered about how a maid would know not only Chopin but a Creole lullaby.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0Adam is surprised with a little night music. A story for the halloween season.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01471<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":14971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1005,23,32,30,29],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-7614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-mystery","category-prequels","category-halloween","tag-adam-cartwright","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-32-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-29-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1184,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/grand-piano.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46688,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46688","url_meta":{"origin":7614,"position":0},"title":"Jingle Bull (by ElayneA)","author":"Elayne","date":"December 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adventures in 'riding herd' leads one brother on a merry chase. 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