Once again I apologise greatly for the fact that this update is in the afternoon rather than the morning.

You get to find out what's in the dining room now :)

Chapter Six.

25th December 1960.

Dimitri was stunned into silence. One of the band members, Eddie, had let them into the dining room with a conspiratory wink at Rose. That had raised Dimitri's hackles a little, but then his jaw had dropped when Rose had made her way over to the piano set up in the middle of the stage.

Rose had sat down, and breathed in deeply; allowing her fingers to trace over the keys lightly, and then she'd looked straight at Dimitri and begun to play.

The soft melody filled the room, bringing tears to Dimitri's eyes as Rose played for him. It was a piece she'd written randomly one night. She'd woken up from her sleep, the final notes of the harmony echoing through her memory and had scrabbled around for a piece of paper and a pen so that she could hurriedly write down the notes while she still remembered them.

It didn't have a name yet, she wanted him to choose one so that it was really his – so long as he liked it.

The tension and worry drained from her shoulders as she continued to play, letting the music flow through her body, taking away her insecurities and replacing them with quiet assurance. She'd always loved to play, and that had been why she'd applied to work at the hotel when her parents had died and she'd found herself facing the prospect of living on the street at sixteen.

But the band auditions had finished the day before she'd arrived asking for a job. She hadn't even been given the chance to announce that she could play the piano. The then Mrs. Ivashkov had simply taken one look at her, sniffed in disapproval and pointed her towards another maid.

"Rinaldi!"

Then young woman, Rinaldi, Rose supposed, looked up in shock and bobbed into a quick curtsey towards the lady of the house.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"She's new. Get her a uniform and show her what she's expected to do."

And that had been how she'd ended up stuck as a maid for the foreseeable, and unforeseeable, future.

Even after she'd finished playing the soft notes lingered in the silent room, and Rose swallowed nervously.

"Was it that ba-"

Her words were cut off by Dimitri pulling her into his arms and crushing his lips to hers. She smiled, and then twined her arms around his neck, more than happy with the way he'd chosen to show his gratitude.

Steady clapping had echoed in the background, but then the sound cut off sharply and they broke apart.

Rose's stomach dropped and Dimitri tensed. Lissa's eyes were wide with fright and Christian's were guarded as they watched Adrian Ivashkov continue to move from the doorway, where he'd been watching silently, towards Rose.

He stopped a foot away, and his eyes slowly appraised them both.

"Belikov," He nodded towards Dimitri in recognition, and Dimitri nodded back politely.

"Sir." His fingers tightened on Rose's waist, and then released her so he could take a hold of her trembling hands.

"What's your name? I don't recall seeing you around the hotel." Adrian's voice wasn't snobby or rude, but genuinely interested, and Rose relaxed slightly.

"Rose Hathaway, sir. I'm one of the maids."

"Really?" Adrian's voice was shocked, and Dimitri bit back a proud smile as Rose blushed and nodded mutely. "Well, Miss Hathaway, it seems to me like you're in the wrong domain. How long have you been working here as a maid?"

"Five years, sir. I'm so sorry, sir. I shouldn't be in here, but it's Christmas, and this was my present to my fiancé- I- What? Sir?"

Adrian grinned at the surprise that flitted across her features. "Talent like that should be shown off, not hidden away. I can't believe that you've been right under our noses for five years. First thing on Tuesday morning, you head down to the seamstress. She'll have your new uniform ready for you. No more cleaning bathrooms or changing bed sheets for you, Miss Hathaway. You'll play at lunch and dinner, and if we have special events, like today's Christmas dinner, you'll play at those too. Your pay will be higher than what you're receiving now, and you'll start late but work late into the night, the same as the band do. Eddie!" Eddie jumped from where he'd been standing with a worried expression across his face and moved closer to the three of them.

"Yes, sir?"

"Tomorrow, you and the rest of the band will have this room to yourselves. Practice with Rose, work out how you can tie in her talents to your songs and music. Get a trial rota or schedule for the week sorted and on my desk by seven o'clock in the evening. Your first performance with Rose will be on Wednesday at dinner." He grinned at their shocked expressions and then winked at them both. "You'll be amazing together. I can't wait."

He turned around and began to move back towards the door, leaving the five of them stunned at what had just occurred, before pausing at the doorway and turning back.

"Oh, and Miss Hathaway, Mr Belikov?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. If you let me know the date I'll ensure that you both and Miss Dragomir have the day off, and depending on whether your addition to the band is a success, you can hold the reception here, free of charge."

Tonight's update will be on time, I promise!