Among the Darkness Stirs

“Ms. Wakefield,” came Theodocia’s voice, and she kissed Audrey on both cheeks. “Little cherub,” she said, seeing Frances.

Audrey introduced her to her mother. Both women greeted each other, and Audrey felt her heart race as she looked about for Henry.

Theodocia saw her face and told her, “Henry was running late, my dear. He told us to go on without him. He will join us as soon as he can.”

“We are looking forward to the concert. Aren’t we, darling?” She looked down at Frances.

Frances agreed, and the women took their seats in a private box Henry had purchased for them.

Augusta looked around the box, seemingly suitably impressed. Frances, who had never been to a concert before, took her time staring at the empty stage, the growing audience below, and the shining gaslights that glittered like jewels in the dark theater.

“What do you think, Lambkin?” she asked her as they both sat at the railing overlooking the stage and audience below

“It’s very remarkable,” the little girl said, causing the adults to smile.

She leaned forward, and Audrey told her to take care she didn’t fall into the orchestra pit. Audrey’s fingers curled around the railing as she looked about and scanned the audience for faces. Her eyes moved to the boxes across from them and then down into the pit. She saw the familiar faces of Levi and Joseph far below them before the lights dimmed.

The music began. Frances seemed glued to the sight of the orchestra playing. Her mother and Theodocia whispered together like young girls at their first social outing. Audrey scooted her chair behind them all, closed her eyes, and let the music overtake her. She had been listening to the music for ten minutes when she heard something behind her and then a voice in her ear.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Turning her head slightly, she saw Henry’s handsome face in the dim lights. “You’ve not missed much. It just started,” she whispered to him.

He took the seat next to her. Throughout the show, he kept glancing at her, but Audrey ignored him and focused her attention on the music.

“Are you enjoying the concert?” he asked her lowly, halfway through.

“I am. Thank you for the tickets,” she whispered. “It’s my sister’s first concert. As if you couldn’t tell.” She nodded to the little girl at the rail, who was unable to take her eyes off the orchestra.

“I’m glad you said yes to the concert.”

“Are you?”

“Yes. When I imagined the concert today, I wanted very much for you to be just as you are. By my side,” he told her, his eyes burning in the low lights.

“And here I am.” Their eyes locked until she looked away.

When the concert had an intermission, the five people went downstairs for refreshments. The older women decided on a glass of champagne while Henry bought himself a whiskey. Audrey asked for a brandy, and they purchased a glass of apple punch for Frances.

“This is wonderful, isn’t it, Audrey?” Frances asked, eyes wide as she watched the people from different walks of life mingle about the theater.

“It is.” Audrey looked indulgently at her sister.

When the two older women returned to the box, they took Frances with them, leaving the couple behind.

“Have you given any more thought to the numbers and initials?” Henry asked her.

She sipped her brandy and shook her head. “No. I haven’t.”

“I think it will come to us. We shouldn’t think too hard on it.”

“Exactly my thoughts.”

His eyes roamed over her face. “I’m not sure if I told you, Ms. Wakefield, but you look most alluring this evening.”

She looked away. “Do I?” she asked when she looked back at him.

“You do. I never thought black was an interesting color, even less when it’s someone in mourning. But you do look quite—”