Read Online Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four): Banished Saga, Book Four by Ramona Flightner - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ramona Flightner
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buildings.
Clarissa giggled, feeling lighthearted for the first time in months. “It is. Shockingly so.” They disembarked on the corner of Main and Broadway and walked the short distance to the Finlen Hotel. “When I was here last time, Colin and I stayed in the same place, but it was a smaller hotel, called the McDermott. They tore it down and built the Finlen in its place.” Clarissa pointed to another imposing brick building kitty-corner across the street from the Finlen. “Gabriel helped build that hotel.”
“We should venture inside so we can let him know we’ve seen his work.”
“Sav—”
“I’m teasing, Rissa. I know nothing so simple will bring harmony between you and Gabe.” She turned toward the entrance to the Finlen. “Come. Let’s get settled, and then you can share whatever this surprise is with me.”
* * *
T he plush red velvet seats sank a little as they sat, and Clarissa stared at the opulent ceiling design of gods and goddesses playing musical instruments, accompanied by white marble pillars and gold-gilded chandeliers. Clarissa had successfully maneuvered Savannah into the plush Empress Theater without her discovering why they were here. They sat in the front row of the first mezzanine level, slightly to the right side. When Clarissa refused to hand over her playbill, Savannah rolled her eyes.
“It’s as grand in here as almost anything in Boston,” Savannah whispered, unable to hide her awe.
“I know. Who would have thought? It shows that mining can be quite profitable.” They shared a smile and then settled down to watch the performance as the red velvet curtain parted for one man to enter the front of the stage to address the crowd.
Savannah turned to Clarissa in confusion. Clarissa had told her they were coming to watch a traveling symphony, but no sounds of instruments tuning could be heard. “Rissa?”
“You’ll see,” Clarissa whispered, unable to hide either her delight or her bright smile.
The short, rotund man, his waistcoat bulging with his girth, waved at the crowd to hush them for his address. “Thank you, loyal patrons, for once again joining me on a night I’m certain will be unforgettable. For a night that will rival any that has come before and any to follow. For tonight, we have the incomparable talent of the pianist Mr. Lucas Russell, the man who’s thrilled royalty and eastern society with his brilliance.”
Savannah gasped at Lucas’s name, gripping Clarissa’s hand until she grimaced in pain.
“He’s here to share with us tonight his latest compositions, all the way from Boston, Massachusetts. Please join me in giving him a warm Butte, America, welcome.” He thrust his arms in the air, and the curtain rose, revealing a darkened stage with only a well-lit piano centered thereon.
Savannah leaned forward in her seat, her eyes lit with anticipation at seeing her brother perform on stage. The crowd around them broke into polite applause while Savannah and Clarissa clapped as though Mozart were to appear in front of them, earning a few curious stares from their neighbors.
For the past two years, they’d read clippings of articles sent by Uncle Martin, Savannah’s and Lucas’s father, about Lucas’s successful tour through much of America and part of Europe. Savannah and Clarissa had established a routine where Savannah wouldn’t open a letter from her parents without Clarissa present so that they could read about Lucas’s latest success together. As they had sighed over the stories of Lucas mingling with the elite members of society after each successful performance, they had dreamed of seeing him perform.
On their return from Washington, DC, Clarissa had seen an advertisement for a one-time performance by Lucas in Butte, before he headed farther west to San Francisco via Seattle. With Jeremy’s aid, she’d been able to obtain two tickets.
Lucas walked onto the stage, appearing taller in his tuxedo than his five foot eight, with his
Clarissa giggled, feeling lighthearted for the first time in months. “It is. Shockingly so.” They disembarked on the corner of Main and Broadway and walked the short distance to the Finlen Hotel. “When I was here last time, Colin and I stayed in the same place, but it was a smaller hotel, called the McDermott. They tore it down and built the Finlen in its place.” Clarissa pointed to another imposing brick building kitty-corner across the street from the Finlen. “Gabriel helped build that hotel.”
“We should venture inside so we can let him know we’ve seen his work.”
“Sav—”
“I’m teasing, Rissa. I know nothing so simple will bring harmony between you and Gabe.” She turned toward the entrance to the Finlen. “Come. Let’s get settled, and then you can share whatever this surprise is with me.”
* * *
T he plush red velvet seats sank a little as they sat, and Clarissa stared at the opulent ceiling design of gods and goddesses playing musical instruments, accompanied by white marble pillars and gold-gilded chandeliers. Clarissa had successfully maneuvered Savannah into the plush Empress Theater without her discovering why they were here. They sat in the front row of the first mezzanine level, slightly to the right side. When Clarissa refused to hand over her playbill, Savannah rolled her eyes.
“It’s as grand in here as almost anything in Boston,” Savannah whispered, unable to hide her awe.
“I know. Who would have thought? It shows that mining can be quite profitable.” They shared a smile and then settled down to watch the performance as the red velvet curtain parted for one man to enter the front of the stage to address the crowd.
Savannah turned to Clarissa in confusion. Clarissa had told her they were coming to watch a traveling symphony, but no sounds of instruments tuning could be heard. “Rissa?”
“You’ll see,” Clarissa whispered, unable to hide either her delight or her bright smile.
The short, rotund man, his waistcoat bulging with his girth, waved at the crowd to hush them for his address. “Thank you, loyal patrons, for once again joining me on a night I’m certain will be unforgettable. For a night that will rival any that has come before and any to follow. For tonight, we have the incomparable talent of the pianist Mr. Lucas Russell, the man who’s thrilled royalty and eastern society with his brilliance.”
Savannah gasped at Lucas’s name, gripping Clarissa’s hand until she grimaced in pain.
“He’s here to share with us tonight his latest compositions, all the way from Boston, Massachusetts. Please join me in giving him a warm Butte, America, welcome.” He thrust his arms in the air, and the curtain rose, revealing a darkened stage with only a well-lit piano centered thereon.
Savannah leaned forward in her seat, her eyes lit with anticipation at seeing her brother perform on stage. The crowd around them broke into polite applause while Savannah and Clarissa clapped as though Mozart were to appear in front of them, earning a few curious stares from their neighbors.
For the past two years, they’d read clippings of articles sent by Uncle Martin, Savannah’s and Lucas’s father, about Lucas’s successful tour through much of America and part of Europe. Savannah and Clarissa had established a routine where Savannah wouldn’t open a letter from her parents without Clarissa present so that they could read about Lucas’s latest success together. As they had sighed over the stories of Lucas mingling with the elite members of society after each successful performance, they had dreamed of seeing him perform.
On their return from Washington, DC, Clarissa had seen an advertisement for a one-time performance by Lucas in Butte, before he headed farther west to San Francisco via Seattle. With Jeremy’s aid, she’d been able to obtain two tickets.
Lucas walked onto the stage, appearing taller in his tuxedo than his five foot eight, with his
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