The Devil in Music by Kate Ross Read Free Book Online Page A

you were all right after the fight "

    "I
think, Maestro," Orfeo said quietly, "you must know as well
as I do that Are you all right? really meant Can you still sing?"

    Donati
sighed. "Well, anyway, I thought perhaps if you wanted to
continue your training and didn't want to be indebted to the
marchese, you might come and live with me till I find someone to take
Tonic's place. The work wouldn't be hard, and you could go on with
your lessons. I know it seems demeaning for a young man of your
background "

    "Maestro,
it would be an honour! But my plans are unsettled. I can't say for
certain where I'll be or what I'll be doing in a week, or a month."

    "I
don't understand. You would go away before your training is
finished?"

    "Not
of my own choice. But it's possible, yes."

    "Is
it something to do with your family in England?"

    "In
a way. I'm sorry to be so mysterious. I would tell you if I could.
There: I've put your bell in the compartment of the headboard behind
you so." He Guidod Donati's hand to it. "If you need
anything during the night, you've only to ring."

    "I
can't summon you with a bell!"

    "Then
I shall have to sleep at the foot of your bed like a spaniel, so that
you can nudge me awake if you need me. I really think the bell is
more practical. Good night, Maestro. Pleasant dreams."

    Donati
heard the door close softly behind him. He expected him to go to his
own room, but instead heard his footsteps descending the stairs. The
marchese would be annoyed if he caught him up and about he had seemed
to want him and Donati out of the way. But why?

    Donati
slid out from under the covers and knelt on the chill floor beside
the bed. He said an Our Father and a Hail Mary. Then he pictured
Santa Cecilia as he loved her best, dressed in her bridal finery,
hearing musicians play at her wedding feast, while she sang to God in
her heart that she would always remain a virgin. He begged her to
bless both Orfeo and the marchese and to heal the rancour between
them. And he asked that, if Orfeo would not suffer by it, he might
remain with Donati and become the great singer he was meant to be.

    The
marchese's fitful piano playing had long since ceased. As Donati got
back into bed, he thought he heard the front door open and close. He
lay still and listened, but all he could hear was the ceaseless,
sorrowing murmur of the lake. He fell asleep.

    Donati
woke to the song of a lark. He reached up, feeling for the silken
watch-pocket that hung over his bed. His watch had no glass covering
on the face, so that he could feel the hands. He ran his fingertips
lightly over them. It was a little after six, the hour when he and
Orfeo were accustomed to rise. He took his bell out of the headboard
compartment and rang.

    No
one came. The villa was strangely silent. Donati supposed Lucia and
her father had not yet returned from the castle, and Orfeo and the
marchese were still abed. Yet the bell was very loud it ought to
have awakened Orfeo, whose room was next to Donati's, and perhaps
Lodovico as well. Could they have gone out for a walk? No: Orfeo
would not have left Donati to shift for himself. Perhaps he had gone
to fetch water for washing and shaving.

    Donati
waited a while, then rang again. Still no one answered. He lay
quiet, straining to hear footsteps or the opening of a door. Outside
his window, the birds were singing in chorus. But in the villa,
there was not a sound.

    When
the church bells around the lake struck seven, Donati began to be
frightened. Orfeo would not have deserted him. Suppose he were
lying ill in his room, hearing Donati's bell but unable to answer it?
Donati scrambled out from under the covers and felt with his feet
for his slippers. That was when he heard the front door open and
close. He fumbled for his bell and rang it as hard as he could.

    There
was a light step on the stairs, then his door opened. "Good
morning, Maestro," said Lucia's voice. "I'm sorry to be so
late this morning, but one of the maids at the