Nightingale by Juliet Waldron Read Free Book Online Page A

of a weak need to assure himself he owned you. He would have destroyed your talent. "
    "Dreck!" Klara screamed, spitting. "Dreck! Dreck! Dreck!"
    She’d stared up into those cold, considering eyes and watched, mesmerized, as her contempt dripped from his proud hawk's face.
    "The sad truth is that forty ducats and the promise of a primo role in Milan was all it took to get rid of Giovanni Lugiati, Klara," Max had said, getting out a handkerchief to wipe his face. "All things considered, I'm wondering if I’ve let him off too lightly." His pale eyes, which she'd seen full of desire as he moved passionately above her, seemed as cold as the frozen Danube, as cruel as those of his favorite falcon.
    "Sir," she'd whispered, heart in her throat, " please, oh please, do not hurt Giovanni."
    "I did not have to hurt him, Klara. I confess that I longed to crush his throat … I confess that I told him that I would do exactly that, but Signor Lugiati's greed and good sense prevented such wanton destruction of what even I must admit is a lovely instrument. I wish you could have seen how quickly and gratefully Bellisimo Giovanni Lugiati took the forty ducats and my letter of recommendation to Count Pallavicini in Milan."
    When she began to sob bitterly, the Count released her.
    "Imagine," Klara sobbed, "when you took me away from Saint Cecelia’s I thought I was so lucky, that my life was to be a fairy tale! What would the good Mother Superior have thought if she had known that you only meant to make me your whore?"
    "Ridiculous! You can't really believe that. Why, even with your talent, don't you realize that without me you'd still be in the chorus?" He’d tried to stroke her, but she had furiously pushed his hand away. "Never mind," he grumbled, humbly accepting her rebuff. "You'll soon forget the greasy fool."
    "I'll never forget my darling Giovanni and and his love. You may force me, but you will never again be able to compel my affection."
    "Proud words, but still so naïve." Max had suddenly smiled, so fierce and knowing, that Klara had thrown herself at him again in redoubled rage. Without much trouble he caught her wrists and tossed her back down upon the bed.
    "Let me suggest," he said, getting to his feet and assuming the calm attitude of a schoolmaster giving a lesson, "that you do not yet understand your own warm female nature. What happened is that I was gone for too long and the strutting fool dared to caress you. Cosi fan tutte! Women are not called the weaker sex for nothing. My only prayer is that you be spared any lasting memento of this foolish and dangerous escapade."
    "I hope I am carrying his child." She’d not bothered to deny that she'd given herself to Giovanni. "I pray that I am! All of Vienna will laugh at you and will know that for a moment a slave tasted freedom."
    "Some dreck of your own, sweetheart." Max was dismissive. He turned on his heel and strode to the door, shaking his gray head wearily. "You have absolutely no idea of the hell you are wishing upon yourself."
    Klara had raised her head, feeling only satisfaction. Something she'd said had finally hurt him!
    "Once and for all, both presumptuous musicians and young rakes alike have been put on notice that Prima Donna Silber is firmly in the protection of Maximilian von Oettingen."
    "By the Blessed Mother, I shall not be your slave forever. I swear it."
    Max stopped at the door, one powerful hand resting on the high door latch, gazing back at her.
    "The day will come when I will relinquish you to whatever fate devises," he replied evenly, as if this, too, were an outcome he would control. "But, Klara, haven't your teachers explained that words should be chosen precisely? You are not my slave. A more perfect metaphor would be that of a little brown nightingale kept in a fine and luxurious cage for her own good."
    "Your pet!"
    "My sweet, sweet songbird." Tenderness, for the first time in this encounter, entered his voice. "My beautiful and wonderfully