Fifty Words for Rain(95)

Nori loved to take the girls on boat rides, and often they would dock in a quiet, shady spot and have a picnic. She had come to care for them both as if they were her own, and as she very much doubted she’d ever have any children, they were especially dear to her.

It was just the four of them now, and a few select members of the staff—Bess, Alice’s favorite lady in waiting; Maud, the nanny; and Noah Rowe, the new music teacher. The girls were quite attached to him, and Charlotte, who was nearly six, swore she wouldn’t go if he couldn’t come too.

Though she tried to stay away, sometimes Nori would sit in on the music lessons.

Charlotte was learning to play the piano, and Matilda would shake a small tambourine and giggle.

They sang too, learning songs about queens and kings, fairies and heroes.

Noah was a bright, smiling youth of nineteen with a mass of curly black hair and dazzling pale blue eyes, as wide and dreamy as the summer sky. He was from a place called Cornwall, and his accent was far less refined than Alice’s. But he spoke clearly and his voice was warm.

Nori had liked him on sight.

But she kept her distance.

She could feel his eyes on her, sometimes at first, but now it was constant. Every time she entered a room, his head would snap up and he’d pin his gaze on her and turn the color of a tomato.

Alice noticed, of course, being terribly bored in this country setting and ravenous for a hint of scandal or gossip.

The two of them lay sprawled out on a blanket in the garden. A Beatles song was playing on the radio. A little ways away, Noah was chasing the girls through the trees as they screamed and laughed.

“He’s a sweet one, isn’t he?” Alice said lazily. She hadn’t even bothered to change out of her nightdress today.

Nori closed her eyes and spread her palms up to face the sun. “Yes, he is.”

“And do you think he is very handsome?”

“Oh, Alice, don’t start.”

“Well, he is,” she pressed cheekily. “Though he has no name to speak of and certainly no money, for I pay him next to nothing.”

“He is little more than a child.”

Alice snorted. “You’re twenty-four, not ninety. How can you call him a child?”

“He knows nothing of the world.”

Alice raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing from the way he looks at you that he’s seen more than you have in some departments.”

“Alice.”

“Well, it’s true!” she protested. “I don’t know how you manage it, it’s like you have ice water in your veins. All of these handsome men looking at you and you stand like a statue. I have never once seen you look back.”

“I’m not interested.”

“And there was no one in your travels? Not one?”

Nori sighed. “No, Alice.”

“How do you manage? I’m married, so I have no choice. But you are free to sample many delights and you turn your nose up at them all.”

“Why do you have to be so primitive?” Nori grumbled. “It’s hardly ladylike.”

Alice leaned up on her elbows. The rest of her was so thin and her belly was so big that she looked like she was constantly about to topple over.

“That is a term invented by men who wanted the freedom to have their hypocrisy go unchecked,” she said smartly. “And there’s nothing wrong with desire. It’s human. And I feel sorry for you that you’ve never known it.”

“I’m not made of stone,” Nori said wearily. “And I’m not blind. Of course he is very handsome. And he’s kind and funny and . . .” She felt warmth creep into her voice against her will. “And honest. I think he’s very much himself.”

Alice squealed and seized Nori’s hands.

“You do like him. I knew it!”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said levelly, “as there isn’t any point.”

Alice’s gray eyes were knowing. “Oh, my dear girl. You can’t shut yourself away from love forever. For you are love embodied and it will never stop trying to find you.”



* * *





Despite her better judgment, Nori found herself hovering outside of the door to the music room that evening. She could hear the sound of rudimentary piano playing.

Charlotte was laughing.

Nori went in without knocking. Just as she’d suspected, Noah was sitting on the bench beside Charlotte. The little girl’s face lit up when she saw who it was.

“Auntie Nori, look,” she exclaimed. “I can play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’!”

Nori beamed at her. That incoherent key bashing could in no way be called Mozart.

“That’s lovely.”

“And Noah says he will teach me Butthoven.”

Nori bit back a laugh. “I’m sure he will.”

Noah’s eyes met hers, and they exchanged a rueful glance.

“Charlotte,” Nori said, without looking away, “I think it’s time for bed.”

The girl frowned. “Must I?”

“Yes. Mummy went to bed hours ago and you should too.”

Charlotte sighed, but got up to do as she was bid. She was levelheaded and well-behaved, traits Nori assumed she must have gotten from her father.