Of Night and Dark Obscurity

It was difficult for Val to keep his attention focused on the orchestra. He was aware of Caroline so close to him he could touch her, and the scent of jasmine teased his nose. He looked to the other side of him and saw that Malvina was already drifting off.

When the nocturne began, he watched as Caroline sighed with pleasure, and he watched her face as she took in the orchestra. During the nocturne, she dropped her program at her feet and when he picked it up to return it to her, their fingers touched.

I’m behaving like a love sick s

chool boy, he chastised himself.

At the intermission, Malvina opted to remain in her seat while Val and Caroline went to the foyer to walk about before the next portion of the concert began.

“Thank you, Miss Derry. For changing your mind.” He told her.

“I’m glad I did. We can’t help how we met. Can we? I realize that.”

“No. We can’t.”

“Caro!” A voice called out her name and Charles Lyttleton was standing before them taking her hand in his again. “Well, this was meant to be.”

Caroline pulled her hand back after he kissed it. “You remember Inspector Pierce?” She said.

“Indeed. How is your brother?” Charles asked.

“Well.” Val nodded.

“We must get together soon,” Charles told her as he walked in the opposite direction.

“He’s like a bad penny,” she said lowly. “He keeps turning up.”

Val was surprised at the comment. “I’m sure most women would find him appealing.”

She shook her head. “He’s too sure of himself. It’s off putting. Women like a different sort of man.”

“What sort of man?” He asked before he could stop himself.

“A man who’s sure of himself because he has knowledge and dignity. A man who is elegant who can get things done.”

Val smiled. “That sounds like quite a man. I don’t think you’ll find many who fit that description.”

The call to return to their seats came and they made their way to their box.

Malvina was seated to the right so Val took the middle seat at the railing and Caroline the far left.

“I think you’re wrong,” she whispered as the concert began. “You are such a man.”

Val’s eyes must have registered shock because she quickly said, “It’s true.”

Val spent the rest of the concert in a state of awareness. He was aware of the concert and each of the instruments when they played. The piano and the keys that were struck. The man in the next booth who coughed periodically and the warmth of the gas lights on the stage.

But more than anything he was aware of the woman next to him. Her hands were folded primly in her lap as she watched the concert below on the stage. Though she was oblivious to him, he was completely focused on her. He didn’t openly stare at her; he didn’t want her to think him odd. But he snatched glances at her every so often and noticed the even breathing, her lips open when she admired a piece that was played, and a curl come undone from her hair dressing.

He looked away and back down to the concert on stage. He ached to pull the curl and twist it about his finger and claim a kiss from those sweet lips. Jesus. He was going mad. He looked over at Malvina who was snoring softly.

He didn’t want to appear too involved. He enjoyed Chopin very much but if he was honest with himself, he had barely taken in more than a few notes. He excused himself and walked to the front of the theater and down the steps.

He didn’t enjoy tobacco the way some men did, but he felt an immense need for his pipe just then. He removed the wooden matches from his coat pocket and was just about to light his pipe when another man joined him in the wet evening.

Val turned to nod and greet the man civilly and saw it was Charles Lyttleton.

“Lyttleton,” he nodded.