"Im glad youre home," she murmured.

"Are you all right?" Anna whispered, tightening her hold on the woman who meant more to her than her very life.

"Fine," Graham replied. "But I have news."

"What?"

Graham hesitated, her fingers caressing Annas, the expression on her face contemplative. "I have agreed to give a performance for the symphony in July."

Anna gasped. "Oh darling, thats wonderful!" It was more than she had ever imagined possible.

"You dont mind?" Graham asked in a subdued tone. "It wont be a problem?"

Anna slid onto the piano bench beside Graham, slipping an arm about her waist. "What makes you think I would mind?" she asked quietly.

"It will mean Ill be working moreand when Im preparing for a performance, I tend to get absorbed."

Anna thought she understood what Graham wasnt saying. "And you think Ill come to resent that?"

"Perhaps."

"Graham," Anna began carefully, "I know what youre like when you work, and sometimes I do worrybut not about us,- about you. You forget to eat, you forget to sleep, you lose weight you dont have to spare. I have never felt, not once, that I didnt matter to youor that you had stopped loving me, even for a moment."

"I couldnt stop loving you, not and still draw a breath," Graham whispered, her fingers tightening their grip on Annas. "You are my light, and my heart. You are the reason there is music in my soul."

"As long as that is true, well be fine," Anna assured her. "But you must promise me that you will take care of yourself. I need you so much, Graham. Without youtheres no point"

Graham stilled her words with a kiss. "I promise, my love."

There was something else. Anna could sense it in the tension of Grahams body, the quiet tone of her voice. Something worried her lover still.

"Now tell me the rest," she ordered gently, fitting herself closer against Grahams side.

"If I perform," Graham began uncertainly, then finished firmly, "Ive been here before, Anna. Theres no point pretending it wont create an uproar. Once I make an appearance, the demands for my time will intensify. There will be pressure for me to tour."

Anna took her time, thinking of the ramifications of Grahams words. She welcomed the changes in Graham over the last months. Graham was suffused with energy, her creative powers seemingly unleashed by the security of Annas presence. She was vital, dynamic, almost intoxicating in her passionate embrace of life. Her ardor for Anna, her muse, was boundless. Anna hadnt imagined she could be this happy. Now she was faced with the reality of Grahams true stature in the world. She was a peerless artist, one whom the world would not let go lightly yet again. If she returned to the concert stage, she would be resuming the life she had led before Anna. What Anna said now would determine the course of both their lives. Graham took her silence to mean Anna was opposed to the idea.

"Its no matter," Graham said decisively. "Ill simply tell them no."

"You cant do that, Graham. And I wouldnt ask you to," Anna began quietly. "I love you - and I have always known who you are - what you are. You dont belong just to me-"

"I do belong just to you," Graham interrupted fiercely.

Anna laughed gently, resting her hand possessively on Grahams thigh. "I know that , my darling. I was speaking of your music. I wouldnt keep you from it, and you cant keep it from the world - youll have to tour, Graham."

Graham stood, pacing by the piano, formulating plans. Anna realized that other than her blindness, Graham was very nearly the woman she had been before her accident. When she stepped onto the stage, her return would be complete. She was about to reclaim the world she once ruled, and Anna could see that it was destined. Graham was transformed before her eyes into the impresario she had only glimpsed in faded newspaper clippings. It was breathtaking, and a little terrifying.

Graham ran a hand through her hair, thinking aloud. "Sheila would almost certainly want to come. That would be a great help. I can limit foreign travel- but its still going to be unbearable being apart from you -"

Anna rose, stilling Grahams restless motion with a hand on her arm. She grasped her about the waist, holding her firmly. "You cant think Id let you go without me? Not only would I go mad with worry, I have no intention of leaving you unattended with all those glamorous society women! You seem to have no idea of the effect you have on women, but I certainly do! "

Graham looked at her in confusion. "You cant think I could ever want anyone but you? Dont you know you are my life?"

"Im not taking any chances," Anna uttered as she kissed her swiftly.

"But your job?"

"Ill try to work something out with Lauren when the time comes - maybe I can freelance for her. Work part time - I dont know. I dont care. Where you need to be is where Ill be. Youre what I need."

Graham pulled her near, admitting in a low voice, "Im not worried about the music - thats never been the hard part. But the people - the promoters, the agents, the press - they want so much from me. Its hard to keep from being consumed. Im not sure I could do it again- especially now, when I cant see."

It was so unlike Graham to voice any concern, particularly regarding her blindness, Anna was instantly protective. She tightened her hold, her voice unflinching. "You wont have to worry; youre not alone any more."

The tension finally eased from Grahams body as she gentled under Annas caresses. She kissed Anna lingeringly, before murmuring quietly, "Thank you for my life, Anna."

Anna grasped the slender fingers that made magic the entire world laid claim to. She drew them to her breast, where they played only for her. "Thank me upstairs," she whispered urgently.

Graham lowered her lips to Annas ear as she stroked her tauntingly. "A command performance - my favorite thing."

"It had better be," Anna gasped. "And I cant wait any longer for you to begin."

Grahams laughter echoed through the halls as she led her love to their bed.






Chapter Twentyone


"What time will the car be here, dear?" Helen asked anxiously for the third time since Anna had arrived home early from work.

"Five-thirty." Anna replied with a smile.

"My goodness, its one oclock! Id better get ready!"

"You have plenty of timeyoull end up waiting," Anna suggested as if it would make a difference.

"Ive been waiting nearly fifteen years for thisa few hours is nothing! I still think we should take the Bentley. Graham always went to a performance in the Bentley!"

"I know, Helen," Anna said patiently. "But Graham wanted it this way."

"Well, I guess it will be all right then," Helen relented. Then she continued with concern, "You did interview the chauffeur?"

Anna laughed. "I did, and its a woman. She understands exactly what we need. It will be perfect."

"And you double checked that the invitations went out for the reception? I could have done that, you know. I always did that before."

"I know," Anna replied gently, "and I would have been lost without your help this time. I know they arrived, because Lauren got hers. It was more important that you look after Graham." Anna was nearly as anxious as Helen, and she desperately needed to see Graham. "Now, where is she?"

"Shes upstairs in the master suite. Max brought your gown and her suit. I had them sent up."

"Good. How does she seem?"

"Calm. She slept late, she didnt even practice. She rarely did the day of a performance. The barber has come and gone. Oh, I do hope it goes well! This is so important to her!"

"Helen," Anna reminded her with conviction, "this is what Graham was born for. Dont worry, shell be magnificent."

"You believe that, dont you?"

"Absolutely. I know it."

"I give thanks every day that you came to us," Helen whispered, tears in her eyes.

Anna hugged her. "No more than I."

**********

She entered their bedroom to find her lover reclining in one of the chairs before the open window. She was in a black silk dressing jacket, looking impossibly relaxed. And impossibly beautiful. In repose, her features always reminded Anna of a classical sculpturecool, remote, elegantly refined. It was the same handsome face that looked back at her from the posters all over the city announcing Grahams concert that night. Anna admired her from a distance before Grahams expression softened with recognition at the sound of her step on the parquet floor.

"Hello, my love," Graham called softly.

"Hello, darling. What were you just thinking of?"

Graham looked surprised. "The music."

Anna settled onto the arm of Grahams chair, resting her fingers in the thick hair at the base of Grahams neck. She leaned to give her a swift kiss. "I should have guessed."

"Why?" Graham asked, pulling Anna down into her lap.

"Because you looked like you were lost somewhere, somewhere no one can follow."

"Does that bother you?" Graham murmured as her lips sought the sensitive spot beneath Annas ear.

"It might," Anna breathed as she turned her lips to Grahams. The kiss deepened, and soon they were both gasping. Annas head felt light and her body burned. "If I couldnt call you back to me," she said, her voice husky with desire.

Graham got to her feet, pulling Anna up into her arms. "You can always call me back," she whispered against the warm skin of Annas neck. "Because I am yours." With one hand she held Anna close, with the other she parted the front of Annas blouse, slipping her hand inside to cup her breast.

Anna groaned, feeling the length of Grahams naked thigh pressing against her. "Graham, stopwe cantyou need to get ready." She gasped as Grahams hand dropped lower, finding her rising heat. "Oh no - thats not fair! You make me want you so much!"