should never have treated you this way.”
“You needn't be jealous of my talent,” Katerina commented, giving the
tiniest inch of leeway. “Yours is greater.”
“No. My experience is greater, but I think you have more natural musical ability.”
Katerina rolled her eyes. “Is it still a competition, Madame?”
Aimée ventured a timid smile. “No. It's not.”
Katerina continued, gesturing with one hand. “I mean, you're a talented
artist. So am I. Why can we not commiserate since we share so many things in
common?”
“I don't know. I've been feeling very… off lately, you see…” she leaned over
and whispered in her ear.
Katerina's mouth fell open.
“It's no excuse,” Aimée continued, “but I was so worried he was losing
interest in me because of you.”
Katerina shook her head. “There's no comparison. You're the woman he
loves. I'm his granddaughter. There's no competition there either.”
“You're right,” Aimée conceded, “but I'm not thinking clearly these days.”
Katerina pursed her lips. “I can see that. Well, I suppose you two had better
get married. How odd to think your child will have a niece from the first moment
of life, a niece twenty years his senior.”
“That is amusing,” Aimée chuckled. “So, Mrs. Bennett, can we start over,
please? I mean you're going to be my step-granddaughter.”
“Am I?” Katerina raised one eyebrow.
“Oh yes,” Aimée replied, her head bobbing so her golden hair bounced. “We worked it out last night.”
“Very good. When?”
“Soon,” the woman explained. “Probably before you leave. Will you come?”
Katerina pressed her advantage. “On one condition.”
“What's that?” Aimée asked, a hint of suspicion on her face.
“Let me play at the wedding,” Katerina replied.
The two women regarded each other, each taking the measure of the other's
will.
Aimée tilted her chin at last in concession. “Of course. Will you also sing?”
Katerina smiled, knowing she'd won. “If you like.”
“Do you know the Schubert ‘Ave Maria?’”
“I do.”
“Please?”
“Of course.”
The women grinned at each other, and moments later, Christopher arrived.
Unconcerned with Aimée's presence, he scooped his wife into his arms for a
long and coffee-flavored kiss.
