Part 19 (1/2)
The crowd responded with a roar. ”Yes!”
He'd given her no choice. She looked around at the throng clamoring to hear her song, and then at him. Why are you doing this? was clearly etched on her lovely face. He wanted to answer her unspoken question, to tell her to trust him, that it was the only way he could think of to avoid having to punish her yet still appear impartial. But then again, she didn't trust him. Did she? Not with a single meaningful detail about herself?
”Sing,” he commanded her.
She looked around again, then back at him and finally took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and paused. Eagerly, he awaited that first heavenly note. She didn't disappoint. She began to sing. Softly at first, then stronger.
The crowd fell silent.
He hadn't forgotten the song. That beautiful, haunting voice pervaded his heavy soul. It was but one of the many multifaceted reasons he was so very drawn to her.
Absorbing every sweet note, he wanted to remain suspended in it. Her voice and that song had a way of vanquis.h.i.+ng all else but its melody. And the woman it came from.
When the last note faded, she opened her eyes and scanned the crowd. For a moment, there was only silence.
Lucio and Nicolo were the first to clap vigorously, followed by thunderous applause from the rest of the throng, their cheers and whistles filling the air. The look of astonishment on her face was priceless. Slowly, a brilliant smile formed on her sweet lips. He couldn't hold back his own grin. It was obvious she'd never truly realized until this moment how moving that song was. There was pure joy in her eyes, and in his heart for her.
His beautiful songbird had succeeded in winning over the entire crowd.
Just as he knew she would.
He glanced at Jules, Armand, and Domenico, thoroughly enjoying the stunned looks on their faces.
Simon raised his hand, and the jovial noise dissipated. ”I must agree with Madame Dragani. That sounded far too angelic to be wicked. Would you not agree?” he questioned the crowd. They cheered anew.
”This is preposterous!” the priest began to spout, red-faced. ”The church is no place for-”
”That song is as close to heaven as some of us here will ever get,” Simon interjected. There was applause and some laughter that rippled through the crowd. ”The mademoiselle will henceforth refrain from singing her prayer in the church, and you, Pere Crotteau, will accept her onetime form of spiritual devotion to her mother's memory. We are finished with this matter. Step back,” Simon ordered. The old priest complied with a nod, being wise enough to know how far to push.
”Now then, I'll hear about the incident at the schoolhouse next.” Simon's gaze was fixed on Angelica. He'd schooled his features into a more purposeful look, though he still reeled with pleasure over her accomplishment.
With regret, he saw her smile die, yet she didn't flinch under the weight of his stare as others did. She never had. Inner strength was something he'd always admired. And she had an abundance of it.
”Today, I observed, while on my way past the schoolhouse, Grignon whipping a child severely,” she responded, her tone dripping with disdain and anger.
”That is nonsense. A gross exaggeration of the truth,” the schoolmaster argued.
”It is not an exaggeration.” She cast Grignon a look of contempt. ”The boy was terribly wounded. This man does not teach. He terrifies these children. No child can possibly learn under these conditions. Nor should they be made to.”
”You know nothing of what you speak. And you know nothing of teaching,” Grignon countered.
”Not true. I have taught children in the past, and they can learn, even difficult pa.s.sages, when you stir within them the desire to learn,” she shot back.
Simon watched as she stood her ground, not allowing Grignon to intimidate her. She spoke with conviction. And she was completely alluring in her temper.
She was completely alluring always.
”Is this true, Grignon? Did you beat this child?” he asked.
”The child was simply disciplined. Discipline is an important part of any child's education.”
Simon nodded. ”I will see the boy for myself before making a decision on this matter.”
”But she is out of control. She needs punishment!” the schoolmaster exclaimed, his eyes scanning about for someone to concur.
Simon frowned. ”Grignon, do you dare question my judgment?”
Grignon's brows shot up. ”No-No, of course not.” He cleared his throat. ”I am confident your decision will be just and proper, as always.” He forced a weak smile.
”Simon, the boy is here,” Sabine announced. She motioned to her servant, who carried the boy to the center of the square next to Sabine.
Sabine lifted the boy's s.h.i.+rt.
Instantly, a soft cry quivered through the crowd. Simon felt his ire grow as he gazed at the child's back.
”Grignon, you call this discipline?” Simon demanded.
”Yes. It is important-”
”It is excessive. And unacceptable!”
Jules let loose a string of expletives. ”If I'd had any inkling he was capable of doing something like this,” he growled, ”I would have broken his skinny neck.”
Simon knew if Grignon had done this to other children, their parents would have been afraid to report authority to authority. It was often the way with peasants. Regardless, he had to know for certain. ”Have others among you had children suffer something similar to what this boy has suffered at Grignon's hands? I demand a show of hands.”
People exchanged uneasy glances. Slowly, some reluctant hands began to rise.
Merde. ”Grignon, you are relieved of your duty as schoolmaster.”
”What?” Grignon paled.
”Furthermore, three months' labor in the fields, without pay, will hopefully give you enough time to consider your ill ways.”
”But...”
”Don't speak!” he barked. ”Or I'll reconsider my punishment and flog you myself. That is all.” Simon stood.
The crowd began to depart.
Simon stepped around the table. ”Angelica?”
Standing with Gabriella, Sabine, and their husbands, she turned around. She was smiling, despite the marital discord near her.
”A word with you,” he requested.
She approached. He wanted to shake her, to hold her, to lose himself in the sweet oblivion she induced with just one of her kisses.