Embrace the Night

Page 75



"What makes you think he's old?"

"Isn't he?"

Sara frowned. She'd never given any serious thought to Gabriel's age. Thinking of it now, she realized she truly had no idea how old he was. To look at him, one would guess him to be in his late twenties, and yet he seemed much older, much wiser.

"Sara?"

"I don't know how old he is, and I don't care. I'm not running off with him, Maurice. He's only coming by to see how I'm doing."

"Then it won't matter if I'm there." "I'm afraid it will matter very much."
"Sara…"

"I don't wish to discuss it any further, Maurice. Quick, give me a kiss for luck. There's my music."

She danced that night as never before, certain that Gabriel was somewhere in the audience. Her solo was for him and him alone. When she looked at the prince, it was Gabriel's face that loomed in her mind; it was Gabriel's kiss that awakened her from her enchanted sleep.

She had hoped he would be waiting for her outside the theater, but he was nowhere to be seen. Maurice insisted on walking her home.

She bade him good night at the door, assuring him she would be fine.

She dismissed Babette for the night, bathed quickly, slipped into a modest dark blue velvet dressing gown with a froth of lace at the throat. She lit several candles, filled a bowl with apples and cheese, placed a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table.

She was all aquiver by the time she heard his knock at the door.
Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room and opened the door.

He stood in the shadows as before, his face hidden in a hooded cloak as dark as the night.

"Gabriel," she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "Come in." She closed the door behind him, wishing she could keep him there forever. "Let me take your cloak."

"No."

"You needn't hide your face from me."
"Sara…"

She walked toward him, her hand out. "Let me take your cloak, Gabriel. It's warm in here, and you'll be