Eternal Melody (7 page)

Rebecca continued along the sidewalk, twirling her parasol absently and feeling hindered by the foolish thing.  She knew that society expected her to carry around the accessory, considered dignified, but she merely found it a
nuisance.  Why should
a girl
be afraid of a little sunshine?  With her pale pink complexion, it would be nice to absorb
some
color from the sun. 
As a child, she had deliberately
lounged under
the sun, hoping that it might make her freckles vanish, but years later she had learned that it had probably adde
d more freckles than were originally there
!

Suddenly, Rebecca halted in her tracks on the sidewalk, spotting a sign across the street that was written in English.  It read: “Maids wanted.  Inquire within.”

She paused and reflected on the type of employment the sign was advertising.  It was a steep departure from what she had hoped to do in Vienna, but if it was only temporary, like her minuscule rented room, then it could be bearable.  She was not exactly
in a position to be selective.

Resolutely, Rebecca crossed the street and walked inside the building, as a bell rang overhead to announce her entrance.  Moments later, a middle-aged woman
with
flaxen
hair arranged in a severe bun
emerged from the back and took a seat at a desk in the center of the room.

“Good day, Miss.  How may I help you?” She asked in a well-bred British accent.  Rebecca was instantly set at ease to be conversing with someone who shared her mother tongue.

“Good day, Madam.  I’m here to inquire about the sign outside.  Is there still a need for maids?” She queried politely as the
English
woman looked her up and down, silently evaluating the applicant.

“Yes, I am still hiring maids. 
I’m Mrs.
Alice Denmaker and I own this housecleaning service.  Do you have experience?”

Rebecca thought quickly, unwilling to lie and say that she had been a professional maid, but realizing that the woman expected her to reply that she was experienced.  “In the United States, I was responsible for cleaning the house of a family with three generations living in it.” She cleverly avoided saying that those three
generations were her own family and that all she had done was dust and mop
every week
.

Mrs. Denmaker seemed satisfied with this response and did not probe further.  “My clients are some of the wealthiest families in all of Vienna. 
They belong to the bourgeoisie and entertain frequently.  Therefore, they expect their homes to be impeccably kept.  If you would fill out an application, I can hire you immediately and you will be paid on a cash basis.  I don’t fuss with
the administrative nightmare of
work visas, so you needn’t concern yourself about that.  Are you available mornings?”

“Yes, absolutely.” Rebecca replied, pleased that the job would not interfere with her afternoons and evenings
.
She could save those for
attending orchestra rehearsals.

“Very well.  I’ll fetch an application for you and you can start on Monday at seven in the morning. 
Report here at half past six, and I’ll give you your assigned residences. 
I do hope you’re an early bird.”

To herself, Rebecca thought,
well, I suppose I’ll have to be
, but she simply nodded and waited for Mrs. Denmaker to return with the application.

After she had signed her name to the application, Rebecca eagerly stepped out into the lively city, feeling that she had earned the right to explore after having so expeditiously secured work. 
As she rounded the bend of a side street lined with
minty-breathed
pine trees, Rebecca knew that she was approaching the direction of the rehearsal hall.  She was tempted to go there and observe the dress rehearsal, but did not
want to face Luke so soon after stalking off and behaving as though she was too busy to spend another moment in his presence. 
Instead, she headed back towards the bakery.  The sweet rolls had hit the spot, and a fresh sandwich with a bottle of soda pop would help her celebrate her new job.

For the next few days, Rebecca did not
as
much as glimpse Luke. 
It irked Rebecca that she did not have an opportunity to banter with him
.  Sometimes,
Rebecca discreetly dawdled on the fourth floor, hoping to run into Luke.  According to her strategy, if he emerged from his room, she would simply tell him that she was in search of Ryan.  It was a perfectly plausible story and would allow her the opportunity to see him again without revealing any interest.

But Luke proved to be elus
ive, and Rebecca wondered if he
went out carousing after rehearsal.  Vienna had a vibrant nightlife, and performers of all
disciplines
were notorious for dri
nking too many beers after dark, some
even attending
opium orgies.  She hoped that Luke was
a fellow of a higher caliber
than that frightful sort of rake
.  But then she asked herself why it would even matter.  After their last encounter, Rebecca had questioned his true intentions.  Perhaps he was just a roguish flirt who enjoyed teasing innocent young women
.

Whatever Luke wanted from her, she could not conjecture, but he certainly didn’t seem to care that they hadn’t spoken in days.  Perhaps she had really insulted him by flouncing away from him. 
But i
f Luke were going to court her, he would have to be
a
man of steely strength both physically and mentally.
Sighing,
Rebecca tried to dismiss these nagging daydreams, as she wanted to remain focused on the sole objective that had brought her across
the Atlantic O
cean
:
launching a
music
career.

On Monday, she would b
egin service as a
maid, and she was dreading it. 
She could only imagine how degradingly the wealthy clients would treat her.  The thought of it almost made her want to board a boat back home to Michigan and run to her grandmother’s arms. 
Grandmother
.  She hadn’t had time to think much about the dear woman since her arrival, but now, as Rebecca sat in her minuscule room with four gray walls closing in, she thought
warmly
of her.  Rebecca considered writing another epistle to her grandmother to let her know that she was safe and happy in Vienna.  Well, at least the first part of the letter would be accurate, as Rebecca could not truthfully say that she was happy.

Gloria Meadow
was a perceptive woman and would no doubt read between the ink-smeared lines to realize that Rebecca was feeling glum.  That would only worry the frail woman even more, so Rebecca decided against writing a letter for the time being.  She would wait until her mood lifted---when she rose from understudy to leading lady, Rebecca thought deliciously.

A sudden knock at her door plucked her straight out of her thoughts.  Glad for whoever was paying her a visit, Rebecca smoothed over the layers of her ivory dress and
went to open the door.

Standing there, violin case in hand and arrogant grin plastered to face, was Luke Springwell.  Before Rebecca could open her mouth to greet him, he spoke with a wry twisting of his lips.

“Why did you not ask who was at your door before answering it?  I could be a thief or worse---a rake who will ravish you with more than just his eyes.”

Rebecca felt the familiar
crimson
flush creep into her cheeks, a reaction that always seemed to occur when Luke taunted her.

“My day has been rather dull, so
if it had been Count Dracula at my door, that would have been fine by me
.  Unfortunately, it’s just you and my day does not look to become any more exciting.” She said breezily as he laughed out loud.  Rebecca was surprised that she had not offended him.  A man capable of laughing at himself was rare indeed.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Becky.” He stopped himself and feigned a look of mortification.  “Oh, madam, I do humbly apologize.  How dare I call you by such a familiar term!  Rebecca, what are you doing for the rest of the day?”

Rebecca looked at him through hooded eyes, unsure of how she should respond.  It was a Sunday morning and she had no plans to speak of, but did not want to leave herself open to whatever he wanted to do.

Sensing her hesitation, Luke continued, “It’s such a gorgeous summer day that I wouldn’t want you to wilt away in this rented room.  I was going to propose that we head to the rail station and take an excursion to Salzburg.”

Rebecca contemplated his offer.  She could not deny that she had been thinking about him all this time, and she certainly did not want to waste the entire day in her suffocating quarters.  But it would not be proper for her to accept his invitation outright, so she stalled.

“Would Ryan be coming with us?  I am sure that he would like to see Salzburg as well.”

“No, Ryan will not be joining us.  You’re not a little girl, Rebecca, and I don’t think you have need of an escort.  As it turns out, I’m not Count Dracula, so you’ll be reasonably safe with me.” He smirked at her, revealing layers of innuendo and thoughts that she did not wish to read.

“You’re quite amusing, I must say.  If we go, I would have to inform my brother first.  I’m not sure where he is at the moment, though.”

“There’s no need for that.  Ryan already knows that we’re going.” Luke replied causally.

Rebecca was outraged at how presumptuous the man had been, first to assume that she would accept his invitation and then, to tell her brother before even asking her!  “In the future, I would appreciate if you consult with me first rather than my brother!”

“Very well.  As long as there will be an ‘in the future.’” Luke smiled maddeningly.

“It’s just a figure of speech!” Rebecca said hotly.

“Whatever you say, Becky.  Are you ready to go, or shall I wait for you downstairs?”

Rebecca flashed him a warning look, communicating to him that she would not tolerate any more impudence.  “Please wait for me downstairs.  I need to collect my parasol and…”

Like interrupted as he burst into a fit of laughter.  “Your parasol?  Come now, I can tell just by looking at you that you’re not the type of wom
an who enjoys carrying a glorified umbrella
.
That’s all they really are, and I don’t see why anyone would want to bother with an umbrella when it’s not raining.
”

Rebecca knew that he had perceived correctly
and nearly giggled at his commentary on the parasol. But she
did not want to admit
that he was right and give him the upper hand
.  “On the contrary!  I carry a parasol wherever I go.”

“But you don’t enjoy it.  You’re not stuffy
like the so-called ladies who traipse around with delicate parasols
.  You’re earthy
and genuine.  Even in one of those
glittering
diva gowns, you’d still be an earthy girl from Michigan.” Luke spoke with unconcealed admiration, and Rebecca was not sure how she felt about his odd description of her.

An earthy girl?  She did not even know what that meant. 
Luke Springwell was a strange man, indeed, and she knew that to preserve her sanity she should cease trying to analyze or understand him.

“I’ll repeat myself.  Please wait for me downstairs and I will be with you presently.” Rebecca said, gesturing regally towards the door.

“Feisty and self-confident.  Very attractive.  I do hope you’ll take that stage soon.” With those words, Luke disappeared into the corridor and descended the staircase.

When he was gone, Rebecca shut her door with a soft click and tried to collect herself.  It would be ridiculous to bring her parasol after the exchange they had shared, so Rebecca settled for a feathered hat.
  It was hideous.
  Tearing the hat off her head, she decided to pin her hair up as tightly as possible, and that would have to be modest enough.  She refrained from applying cosmetics, as she did not want Luke to think she had dismissed him so she could primp.  Rebecca merely wanted to make him wait.

Moments later, Rebecca glided down the stairs to meet Luke on the ground floor, where he stood staring up at her admiringly.  Just as he had the other day, Luke tipped his hat for her benefit, and she could not help but feel flattered by this exhibit of gallantry.

“Shall we?” Luke offered his arm to Rebecca.  She linked her slender arm with his bulky one and they were off into the radiant sunlight.

Their stroll to the rail station was leisurely and pleasant, highlighted with engaging discourse about classical music and
celebrated
composers. 
“How do you feel about Edvard Grieg?” Luke asked
spontaneously
, as they passed a garden
square
with
vivid
tulips,
marigolds
, and roses in full fragrant bloom. 
While awaiting her response, he picked a short-stemmed flower and stuck it in his lapel, then selected a red rose and offered it to Rebecca.  “To complement the fiery shade of your hair…Becky.”