Here is the 4th part of the story, if anyone reads it. I hope you like it anyway. Please R&R - Atrice
Part 4 - Requests for Lucille
A few days later, Lucille's parents did come home to their daughter. They had a fine trip to England, but were both happy to be back home – and happy to hear about Lucille's dinner with Artus. They would be delighted to go to the dinner the week after. But Lucille told them nothing about the Operahouse.
Artus bid them all welcome the following Tuesday evening. Coretta stayed at the house, while they went to the mansion. After all, she was just a maid.
"You know, Lucille sang such a beautiful song when she was here. Did you know how well she can sing?" Artus asked her parents.
"She's been taking lessons… I'm glad your song is good." Said her father and smiled.
"I'm just glad Artus likes my voice." Lucille said and took a sip of her drink. She couldn't stop thinking about the song, now she had talked with the one who sang it for her the first time. Later in the evening, Artus and Lucille took a little walk on the veranda, alone.
"You're so quiet tonight – don't speak unless you're spoken to." He finally said, feeling the silence becoming too loud.
"I just have a lot on my mind." Lucille just answered.
"Like what?" he asked curiously – what could be going on in her mind?
"Things that happen around me… beautiful songs and voices. Feelings…" she said, like she wasn't really there. A thought just hit Artus, and before he could stop himself, he asked her…
"Lucille, you're not seeing somebody else, are you?" she stopped walking and turned against him. He felt she could see right through him – although she was blind - and wished he never asked the question.
"Artus… I never see anyone. But I feel things – and right now I feel you're worried. Afraid… which must signify that you care for me - if you didn't, you wouldn't be worried." She said with a smile, looking calm.
"I like you really much, Lucille… from the first time I met you when the old Operahouse was still working. I want to… to marry you, Lucille." He finally said, and she still smiled.
"I knew that… and my answer is yes." Said Lucille, and though she couldn't see the smile on his face, the happiness, she knew he had been wondering if she would say no. In silence they now just held each other, and Lucille had forgotten all about voices and songs. She now thought of her marriage, with a gentleman who loved her and would care for her, even though she would never see his face.
Lucille and her parents came home, and said goodnight. But when she entered her own chamber, she heard someone breathe in there. She wasn't alone, and her heart began to beat faster. Who could it be, in her room this late at night?
"Who's there?" she whispered. Someone stood up and walked. She sighed with relief – the soft footsteps was the sound of Coretta.
"It's just me… Lucille, a note has come for you. Suddenly it just lay there, on the floor just inside the door. I haven't opened it yet." Coretta said, curious, smiling.
"Well, then open it and read it to me." Lucille walked to her bed – she knew everything in her own room, and could find her way around by herself without any help. She began to undress to go to bed. Coretta sat down on a chair and opened the strange note – sealed with a red skull.
"Dear Lucille, I was so delighted by your visit last week, that I need to hear your voice again. Meet me by the back entrance to the Operahouse, this Friday, just after nightfall. I am sure you won't disappoint me. O.G."