Vivienne's mouth opened to sing. Her lips parted, her lungs drew in air, and the first sound was about to come out despite her entire brain screaming in panic.
Inside her head she was shouting:
Don't you dare, Vivienne. Don't you fucking dare. You'll sound like a dying cow. Shut that stupid mouth.
But her body, the traitorous thing, was ready to betray her.
And just as the first note was about to slip out, the door swung open.
Vivienne nearly bit her own tongue.
It was Bernard.
He paused, his eyes flicking from André at the piano to Vivienne standing there with her lips parted like an idiot about to burst into song. His expression said it all. Not my business. Not today.
He bowed low and spoke quickly, "Your grace, an urgent message just arrived. Your presence is needed. Now. It's very important."
Vivienne snapped her mouth shut so fast her teeth clicked. Thank every holy angel in heaven. Saved by the dull bastard.
