The Storm Sister

by Lucinda Riley

  Unusually, Hennum had joined the rest of the orchestra in Engebret after the night’s performance.

  ‘Herr Grieg apologises for his absence from the bar, but as you know, he is still grieving for his dead parents. But he has given me enough money to keep you all in high spirits for at least a month,’ Herr Hennum declared to rowdy cheers.

  All the musicians were on a high, partly fuelled by endless rounds of port and aquavit, but also by the knowledge that the meagre existence they all eked out of their salary, with little or no thanks for their efforts, had been elevated tonight by the sincere thanks and praise of the composer himself.

  ‘Herr Halvorsen.’ Hennum beckoned him over. ‘Come and speak with me for a moment.’

  Jens did as his conductor bid.

  ‘I thought you might wish to know I told Herr Grieg you were a budding composer and that I’d heard some of your compositions. Simen has already told me that you spent the summer working on others.’

  ‘Do you think that Herr Grieg could be persuaded to take a look at what I have written so far?’

  ‘I can’t guarantee it, but I do know that he is a great advocate for home-grown Norwegian talent, so it is possible. Give me what music you have, and I’ll present your compositions to him tomorrow morning when he comes in to see me.’

  ‘I will, sir, and I cannot thank you enough.’

  ‘I have also heard from Simen that you made a difficult decision in the summer. A musician who is prepared to sacrifice all for his art deserves any assistance I can offer. Now, I must take my leave. Goodnight, Herr Halvorsen.’

  Johan Hennum gave Jens a nod and walked out of the bar. Finding Simen, Jens enveloped him in a hug.

  ‘What is this? Have you run out of women and are now turning to men?’ asked his startled friend.

  ‘Perhaps,’ Jens jested. ‘But I thank you, Simen. Truly, I thank you.’

  At mid-morning the following day, a letter for Anna was hand-delivered to the apartment.

  ‘Who do you think it might be from?’ asked Frøken Olsdatter as Anna studied the writing.

  ‘I have no idea,’ she replied as she opened it and began to read.

  A few seconds later, Anna looked up in wonder.

  ‘It is from Herr Grieg, the composer. He wishes to visit me at the apartment this afternoon.’

  ‘Dear Lord!’ Frøken Olsdatter looked anxiously at the unpolished silver on the dresser, then at the clock on the wall. ‘At what time does he wish to arrive?’

  ‘At four.’

  ‘What an honour! If only Herr Bayer was here to meet him too. You know what a supporter he is of Herr Grieg’s music. Excuse me, Anna, but if we are to have such an illustrious guest in our house, I must prepare for him.’

  ‘Of course,’ Anna said as the housekeeper almost ran out of the room.

  Anna finished her lunch, nerves beginning to gather in her stomach. As she went to change into something more acceptable to wear for tea with a famous composer, she stared at her vast new collection of clothing. Discarding various blouses for being too frumpy, too revealing, too grand, or too plain, she settled on her dusky-rose silk gown.

  The doorbell rang at the appointed hour, and Frøken Olsdatter led their guest into the drawing room. Since lunchtime, flowers had been procured, cakes hastily baked; Frøken Olsdatter had been concerned that he may well arrive with an entourage, but as it was, Anna rose to greet Edvard Grieg alone.

  ‘My dear Frøken Landvik, thank you for sparing the time to see me at such short notice.’ He reached for her hand and kissed it.

  ‘Please, do sit down. Can I offer you some tea, or coffee?’ she stuttered, unused to receiving guests by herself.

  ‘Perhaps a glass of water?’

  Frøken Olsdatter gave a half-nod and left the room.

  ‘I’m afraid I have little time as I must return to Bergen tomorrow, and as you can imagine, I have many calls to pay here in Christiania. But I wished to see you. Frøken Landvik, you have the most exquisite voice, though I will not flatter myself that I am the first person to tell you so. Indeed, I hear that Herr Bayer has provided a guiding hand in your career.’

  ‘He has,’ she acknowledged.

  ‘And from what I heard last night, he has done an excellent job. But his boundaries are . . . limited in terms of giving your potential the full range of opportunities it deserves. I am lucky to have the ability to personally introduce you to musical directors all over Europe. I am travelling to Copenhagen and Germany very soon and can mention your talent to those I know there. Frøken Landvik, you must understand that however much we wish it not to be so, at present Norway is a mere speck on the European cultural landscape.’ He paused and smiled as he saw the look of incomprehension on Anna’s face. ‘What I’m trying to say, my dear, is that I wish to help you further your career outside our homeland.’

  ‘That is most kind of you, sir, and a great honour.’

  ‘But first, may I ask you if you are free to travel?’ he asked as Frøken Olsdatter came in with a jug of water and two glasses.

  ‘Once the production of Peer Gynt is finished, then yes, I have no further commitments in Norway.’

  ‘Good, good,’ he said as the housekeeper left the room. ‘And you are not married or engaged to any young man presently?’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘I can imagine you have many admirers, for not only are you a possessor of great talent, but you are beautiful too. In many ways, you remind me of my dear wife, Nina. She too has the voice of a songbird. So, I will write to you from Copenhagen and see what can be done to introduce your exceptional voice to the wider world. Now, I must take my leave.’

  ‘Thank you for coming, sir,’ Anna said as he stood up.

  ‘And may I congratulate you once more on your performance. You have inspired me. We will meet again, Frøken Landvik, I am sure of it. Goodbye.’

  He kissed her hand and then glanced up at her in a way that Anna had learnt to recognise as indicating interest in her as a woman.

  ‘Goodbye,’ she said, bobbing a curtsey as he left the room.

  ‘What do you mean, he has left Christiania?!’

  ‘Just as I said, he has to return to Bergen.’

  ‘Then all is lost! God only knows when he will be back.’ Jens fell back into his uncomfortable chair in the orchestra pit as he gazed up mournfully at Herr Hennum.

  ‘The good news is, I managed to have him listen to your compositions before he left. And he gave me this to pass on to you.’ Herr Hennum handed Jens an envelope addressed ‘To whom it may concern.’

  Jens stared at it. ‘What is it?’

  ‘It is a letter of introduction from him to the Leipzig Conservatory.’

  Jens punched the air with joy. This letter was his passport to the future.

  28

  ‘I will be leaving for Leipzig when the run of Peer Gynt ends. Come with me, Anna, please,’ Jens begged her as they sat together in the drawing room of Otto’s apartment, his arms furled around her delicate frame. ‘I refuse to leave you behind in Christiania in Herr Bayer’s clutches. Once you refuse his proposal, I have no faith that he will behave like a gentleman.’ He softly kissed her brow. ‘Let us do as all young lovers in stories do and run away together. You say he has your wages in safe keeping?’

  ‘Yes, but I am sure he will hand them to me if I ask.’ Anna bit her lip and hesitated. ‘Jens, it would be a grave betrayal of Herr Bayer after all he has done for me. And what would there be for me in Leipzig?’

  ‘Why, Leipzig is the centre of the musical world in Europe! It could be a wonderful opportunity for you. Herr Grieg himself told you that the world here in Christiania is narrow and that your talent deserves a wider audience,’ Jens cajoled. ‘His music publisher resides there and he himself spends much of his time in the city. So there would be nothing to stop you renewing his acquaintance in future. Anna, please, think about it. I believe it is the only solution for us. Presently, I can think of no other.’

  Anna l
ooked at Jens uneasily. It had taken her a year to get used to life in Christiania. What if she couldn’t do it again somewhere else? Besides, now she had grown more confident, she had begun to love being Solveig, and she would miss Frøken Olsdatter and Rude . . . But then again when she tried to imagine a life in Christiania without Jens, her heart gave a painful wrench.

  ‘I know it’s a lot to ask,’ he said, reading her mind, ‘and yes, you could stay here, and become the most famous soprano in Norway. Or you can aim higher, living a life of love with me and having success on a far larger scale. But of course, it will not be easy, for you have no money, and I have very little other than what my mother gave me to pay for my board and tuition in Leipzig. We would live purely on music, love and belief in our own talent,’ he finished with a flourish.

  ‘Jens, what on earth would I say to my parents? Herr Bayer will be bound to tell them what I’ve done. I will bring disgrace on our name. I couldn’t bear for them to think . . .’ Anna’s voice trailed off and she put her fingers to her brow. ‘Let me think about it, I must have time to think . . .’

  ‘Of course you must,’ Jens agreed gently. ‘We have a month until the end of the run of Peer Gynt.’

  ‘And I could not . . . I could not be with you if we remained unmarried,’ Anna said, blushing furiously that she even had to mention such a thing. ‘I would rot in Hell for eternity and my mother would boil herself in her cooking pot rather than face such shame.’

  Jens stifled a smile at Anna’s vivid imagination. ‘So, Frøken Landvik,’ he said, taking her hands in his, ‘are you trying to gain a third proposal in your streak of suitors?’

  ‘Of course not! All I’m saying is that—’

  ‘Anna.’ He kissed her tiny hand. ‘I know what you’re saying and I understand. And I promise you, whether we were eloping to Leipzig or not, I would want to propose to you.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really. If we go to Leipzig, we will wed in secret before we leave, I promise. I would not wish you to compromise your morals.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Anna felt greatly relieved that at least Jens’ offer was serious. That if they did ‘elope’ – Anna pushed down a shudder at the idea – they would at least be man and wife in the eyes of God.

  ‘Tell me, when will Herr Bayer be back, panting for your answer?’ he asked her.

  ‘I have no idea, but’ – she glanced at the clock on the wall and her hand flew to her mouth as she realised the time – ‘I do know I have to leave for the theatre now. I must be there an hour and a half before the curtain rises for my face to be painted.’

  ‘Of course. But Anna, please, you need to realise that even if I was not going to Leipzig, if you refuse Herr Bayer’s proposal, I have a feeling he would not make our life easy in Christiania. Come here and kiss me before you go. I will see you later onstage, but promise me you will give me your answer soon.’

  Anna arrived back at the apartment after the performance feeling completely drained. She wanted nothing more than to go straight to bed and sleep.

  ‘Anna, how was your evening?’

  Frøken Olsdatter looked at her questioningly as she brought Anna her hot milk and helped her out of her dress.

  ‘It went well, thank you.’

  ‘Good, I am glad for you, kjære. I should tell you that I received a telegram this evening from Herr Bayer. His mother passed on earlier today. He and his sister must stay for the funeral, and then he will return to Christiania on Friday.’

  Only three days, thought Anna. ‘I am sorry to hear his news.’

  ‘Yes, but perhaps it is a relief that Fru Bayer is finally free from pain.’

  ‘And I will look forward to seeing Herr Bayer on his return,’ Anna lied as Frøken Olsdatter left her room. As she settled into bed, she felt her stomach constricting in nervous knots at the thought of Herr Bayer’s return.

  The next morning, still brooding on her predicament, Anna went in to breakfast.

  ‘You look pale, Anna kjære. Did you not sleep well?’ asked Frøken Olsdatter.

  ‘I have . . . things on my mind.’

  ‘Then you might wish to share them with me. I may be able to help.’

  ‘There is nothing anyone can do,’ she sighed.

  ‘I see.’ Frøken Olsdatter scrutinised her closely, but did not press her further. ‘Will you be requiring luncheon?’

  ‘No, I must go to . . . the theatre early today.’

  ‘Very well, then, Anna. I shall see you at supper.’

  Over the next three days, Frøken Olsdatter and the daily maid went into a frenzy of cleaning. Anna spent time practising how she would explain to Herr Bayer why she could not accept his offer of marriage.

  The exact hour of his arrival was not known, but at half past three, unable to stand the tension in the apartment any longer, Anna put on her cape and told Frøken Olsdatter that she was going to take a walk in the park. The housekeeper gave her one of her looks – a mixture of disbelief and cool acceptance – which had become a regular expression recently.

  As always, the clean, chilly air revitalised her. She looked out at the fjord from her favourite bench and saw the shimmering silver water in the already descending twilight.

  I am where I am, she told herself, and there is little I can do except act with gratitude and grace, as I have been brought up to do.

  As she stood up, thinking of her parents brought a tear to her eye. They had written her a brief but supportive letter consoling her on Lars cancelling their engagement and his recent abrupt departure for America. At that moment, she wished with all her heart Herr Bayer had never found her and she was safe and sound at home in Heddal and married to Lars.

  ‘Herr Bayer will be back in time to join you for dinner,’ Frøken Olsdatter said, accosting her at the door as she arrived home. ‘I have filled you a bath and laid out your gown.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Anna moved past her and went to prepare for the confrontation.

  ‘Anna, min elskede!’ he said, greeting her intimately as she entered the dining room. He took her hand in his large one and gave it a whiskery kiss. ‘Come, sit down.’

  As they ate, he told her about his mother’s sad passing and the details of the funeral. Anna hoped vaguely that due to his grief, maybe he’d forgotten about his proposal. However, when they went through to the drawing room to take coffee and brandy, she sensed the atmosphere change.

  ‘So, my dear young lady, have you thought about the important question I asked you just before I left?’

  Anna sipped her coffee, using the moment to gather her thoughts before she spoke. Although in truth, she had rehearsed her words a hundred times.

  ‘Herr Bayer, I am honoured and gratified by your proposal—’

  ‘Then I am happy!’ he announced with a broad smile.

  ‘Yes, but, having thought about it, I feel I must refuse.’

  Anna watched the expression on his face alter, his eyes narrowing. ‘May I ask why?’

  ‘Because I feel I could not be what you need in a wife.’

  ‘What on earth do you mean by that?’

  ‘That I am not domestically oriented to run a house, or educated enough to entertain your guests or—’

  ‘Anna.’ Herr Bayer’s face softened at her words and Anna realised she had stupidly used the wrong approach. ‘It is typically sweet and modest of you to say such things to me, but you must realise that none of that matters. Your talent more than makes up for all the qualities you lack, and your youth and innocence is one of the reasons you endear yourself to me. Please, my dear young lady, there is no need to be humble or feel you are not worthy. I have grown very fond of you indeed. As for the cooking – why, that’s what I have Frøken Olsdatter for!’

  There was a silence as Anna struggled to think what other reasons she could give.

  ‘Herr Bayer—’

  ‘Anna, I have told you, please, call me Franz.’

  ‘Franz, whatever you say, even though I am flattered by your propos
al, I am sad to say that I cannot accept it. And that is that.’

  ‘Is there someone else?’

  She shivered involuntarily at the sudden sharp tone of his question. ‘No, I . . .’

  ‘Anna, before you continue further, you must know that even though I may have been away from Christiania for the past few weeks, I have my spies. If you are refusing my proposal for the sake of that handsome cad who plays violin in the orchestra, then I would caution you against it. Not just as a man who loves you and wishes to provide you with all you have ever dreamt of, but as your advisor and guide to a world that you are currently still too naive to understand.’

  Anna said nothing, but realised her shock was written all over her features.

  ‘So!’ Herr Bayer slapped his solid thighs. ‘That is it. It seems I am competing for your affections with a penniless, no-good bounder in the orchestra. I knew it,’ he said as he threw back his head and laughed. ‘I do apologise, but Anna, tonight you show me the true extent of your innocence.’

  ‘Forgive me, but yes, we are in love!’ The fact that he was laughing at her, belittling what she and Jens shared, made Anna’s temper rise. ‘And whether you approve or not, it is the truth,’ she said, rising to her feet. ‘Under the circumstances, I think it’s best I leave. I wish to thank you for all you have done for me and given me. And I am sorry if my refusal has not been to your liking.’

  As she began to move swiftly to the door, he caught up with her in two large strides to pull her back. ‘Wait, Anna, let us not part like this. Please, I beg you, sit down and we will talk. You have always trusted me before and I would like to show you the error of your ways. I know this man; I understand who he is and the enchantment he has put you under. I do not blame you in any way. You are so innocent, and yes, you believe you are in love. Whether you now accept or reject my proposal is of no consequence. This man will break your heart and destroy you, as he has destroyed many other women before.’