The Pervade Duet
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“She’s really rather fond of me.” He crinkled his nose. “She sneaks in and visits sometimes.”
“The Queen gave you that?” I pointed to his wristwatch.
He glanced at it. “Yes.”
“Her Majesty couldn’t forget you,” I whispered respectfully.
“I was sent away before she had her say. Afterward, when she found out about my existence, she made sure my life was a good one. She commissioned James’ father to build a home for me on the island that was befitting…”
Befitting a future king…
“What would happen if the world knew?” I said wistfully.
“The monarchy can’t risk such a scandal. Not after having hidden me away for so long.” Louis placed his hand on his heart. “So here we are in paradise. Not such a bad life.” He grinned. “I’m really rather spoiled.”
“Trevor suspected you were special?” I asked.
“He never got to the end of the mystery,” said Xavier. “And he never will. Trevor will never again get back into Jamaica.”
“You can do that?” I asked softly.
“We can do anything, Emily,” said James. “We’re Pervade.” He followed that up with a wink.
Hurrying forward, I pressed my cheek against Louis’ chest and hugged him. He held on to me tightly.
“James and Xavier are my family.” He peered down. “So are you now.”
“I will always protect your secret,” I whispered.
“Maybe…” He looked coy. “Would you be willing to teach me how to play the violin? I’ve always wanted to learn.”
“Of course,” I said, glancing over at James and Xavier. “Anything for you, Louis.”
“Likewise, Emily.”
“Thank you for sharing this. It helps to understand you…”
“You mean my quirkiness?”
“I mean…understand why…you live here.” I looked around. “It’s clearly not how you would decorate a home.”
He burst into laughter. “Granny has expensive taste.”
Louis was talking about the Queen of England. The thought made my legs tremble.
“You need to come hang out with us more at James’ place,” I offered.
“Our home, Em.” James gave a nod. “You’re right, I’ve been overly cautious. Louis, mi casa es su casa.”
“Well, look at that,” joked Louis. “James Ballad is a changed man.”
James shook his head in amusement. “I suppose we all are.”
“In the best way possible,” said Xavier.
“I hope you closed the door to my secret tunnel!” said Louis.
My hand slapped to my mouth in delayed shock.
Emily
Seven Years Later
Someone knocked on the door. “Five minutes, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” I called back.
Familiar tingles of nervous excitement raced through me as I heard the thrum of instruments being tuned up and the shuffle of an orchestra getting settled on the stage.
This was close to the seven-year anniversary of the first day I’d stepped onto the majestic stage of the Barbican Theater to audition. I’d come a long way from that young woman hoping for a place with one of the world’s premier orchestras.
Pivoting toward the mirror, I ran my hands down the front of my favorite red dress—the one I always liked to perform in. My hair curled over my shoulders and down my back. The heels I’d chosen were comfortable enough to perform in.
The years had changed me irrevocably—turning me into an empowered woman who carried herself with an air of confidence and grace.
The love of two good men can give that to a woman.
The bouquet in the corner of the room lifted my spirits even higher with its subtle perfume of lilies. It was a gift from them, for my performance tonight. The first of a series of concerts I was giving around the world. Events had been arranged that would see me playing my violin in Vienna, Prague, Los Angeles, and New York.
I’d never been more prepared for this experience. I’d continued to master my craft in Montego Bay, and in my free time I’d taught the orphaned children of Victoria Manor. I played for them too, giving back all that had been gifted to me.
Leaving the dressing room with my Lord Wilton violin, I retraced the steps I had once taken to audition here, all those years ago when I’d hoped to impress the gatekeepers of the London Symphony Orchestra. I’d dreamed of one day joining the string section—but fate had had other plans in store for me.
I took my place in the center of the stage as a soloist, offering a warm smile to the conductor to let him know I was ready. The sweeping red curtains were pulled back.
The audience hushed.
The orchestra burst alive with their astounding talent, a brilliant array of instruments melding together with perfection. I bowed before these brilliant musicians who were accompanying me. It was an honor I cherished.
With my violin raised and bow ready, I joined them in playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. I let my instrument sing, let the bow have its way as I swayed dramatically to the ebb and swell of the notes, my emotions swirling…telling this story as it was destined to be heard. The music swept me up into its truth, its mystery, its magic.
The cage had opened.
I was set free.
Xavier had known this about me from the beginning. That for me, music was as necessary as the air I breathe. He’d insisted I follow my dream. James had agreed wholeheartedly. Their support and ingenuity meant I could play to the public freely.
Their work to make the world a better place continued relentlessly, with both men making good headway with their peace-keeping endeavors in far away countries, and here in Great Britain, too.
Our home in Montego Bay remained our sanctuary. It was a place we could be ourselves and love freely. A place where a family could settle and create new memories.
Victoria became a precious part of our legacy. Her name, her memory, would forever live on…
As always happened when I played, calmness descended over me. With my instrument leading the way and sharing its precious notes, the music became a part of my soul.
I smiled into the audience, finding the sweet faces of my two boys sitting with their fathers. My cute, dimpled and very blond Alexander, who was five years old, looked just like his father, Xavier. My darling three-year-old, Louis-James, took after his dad with his dark, ruffled hair and those same moody eyes. He soon broke into that familiar grin that mirrored James’—the one that always tugged at my heartstrings.
They were their fathers’ sons—all of them were dressed smartly in tuxedos, too, for this perfect family outing.
Also sitting in the audience with my family was Uncle Louis, as he was affectionately known. True royalty was sitting in plain view. I wondered if his secret would one day be known.
Not today.
In the program, I was known as Daughter of Mousia, after the Greek goddesses called muses who all had their own distinctive attributes, like erotic poetry, astronomy, history, and, of course, music.
So very appropriate…
The public would know me merely as a mysterious violinist whose face they would never see…because I wore an exquisite mask.
Xavier had designed it, a fine gold creation that covered my face completely to hide my identity, leaving just enough space to use the violin chinrest in comfort.
This disguise caused intrigue to surround my performances, making them even more compelling. It also protected my beloved boys and their fathers, my husbands, so they could continue their work with Pervade.
For me, this mask also fulfilled my desire to have my instrument be the star, allowing my gift to share the emotions of the human spirit and reach into the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
Even now, I marveled at how destiny has a way of finding us.
How love always finds a way.
Pervade London (Duet 1)
Pervade Montego Bay (Duet 2)
PERFUME GIRL
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THE ENTHRALL SESSIONS:
ENTHRALL, ENTHRALL HER, ENTHRALL HIM, CAMERON’S CONTROL, CAMERON’S CONTRACT, RICHARD’S REIGN, ENTHRALL SECRETS, and ENTHRALL CLIMAX
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THE ICON TRILOGY from Harlequin:
THE CHASE, THE GAME, and THE PRIZE
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