some people these days simply don't understand what that means."
"I don't have a formal dress," Nora said.
"Then we'll go to Bangor and find you one. It's as easy as that."
"Alright. I guess you're set on this."
"I am. Would you mind playing the piano a bit at the ball?" Victoria asked. "My fingers are so arthritic I can't play the way I used to and it's a shame to have such a lovely grand piano that is never used. My mother used to say musical instruments had spirits, and if they weren't played that spirit became sad and the sound of the instrument lost something."
"She may have been on to something," Nora said. "Alright, I'll get some practice in. I haven't really played any of the classics in awhile."
"Oh, you can play anything you like. You don't have to pick stodgy old Romantic composers on my account."
Nora smiled. "We'll see what I can find."
"Good. We'll head into town this afternoon and find you a nice dress."
One week later, after a lot of cleaning and planning, the ball was held at Castle Hill. Victoria had invited practically everyone in Fletcher's Cove, as well as several of her friends from Bangor and Portland. Nora, wearing a fashionable strapless dark turquoise gown, noted that the crowd was mostly elderly and at first glance she didn't see anyone close to her own age. After some strained small talk because Nora had almost no common interests with the guests, she was glad when Victoria asked her to sit down at the piano and play works of mostly 18th to 19th century European composers.
"You're very good," said an unfamiliar voice as she finished up a piece.
She turned to see a very handsome young man about her age walking around the piano to face her. He was wearing a fashionable, modern interpretation of a tuxedo. He had long, black hair tied back in a ponytail, a very pale complexion, and bony but not unattractive features. He also had purple eyes, but Nora quickly realized he was just wearing colored contact lenses.
"My name's Corbin Bailey and I am happy to meet you," he said, holding out his hand.
"I'm Nora Jackson. Why?" she said.
"Because you're beautiful and interesting."
"Really?" She was not sure what to make of this odd, if good-looking, young man.
"Well, the first one is a given but you play the piano so well I'm going to assume you're also interesting."
"Thanks. You're very flattering."
He shrugged. "Just honest. So, I'm spending some time with my grandmother. What brings you here?"
"I'm spending time with my Great-aunt Victoria."
"Oh, the lady hosting this party. Please don't stop playing on my account," he said with a smile.
"Is there anything you'd like to hear?"
"Whatever you want to play. I like all kinds of music, but don't know the first thing about it as an art form. I don't even really know the names of famous composers. But I'll bet you do."
Nora prided herself on not behaving around attractive men the way Maryann did, but even though Corbin's manner was slightly strange it was also oddly compelling. She started to play a technically difficult piece simply to focus on something besides him.
Corbin listened and watched her play with rapt attention. "You play with such passion," he said when she paused a moment to rub out her hands.
"Thanks. I'm actually trying to make it as a professional musician," she said.
"I hope you find success, but it is so difficult to find success in the arts," he replied.
"Tell me about it," she said wryly.
"How about you tell me about it?" he returned.
She smiled. "Alright. I'm done playing for now. I'm going to check out the appetizer table."
"I'll go with you, if you don't mind."
Nora spent the rest of the evening talking with Corbin or playing the piano. At the end of the night, they exchanged phone numbers and he left with a group of exiting guests and a promise to call her soon.
"What a handsome young man," Victoria said. "I've never seen him before. Did he give his name?"
"Corbin Bailey. He said he was visiting his grandmother," Nora answered.
"Well, I suppose that could be the case. There aren't any Baileys with grandchildren named Corbin here in Fletcher's Cove, but I had quite a few guests from out of town, which was quite a refreshing change of pace. I suppose you'll be seeing more of him?"
"Sure. If that's alright, Aunt Victoria."
The old woman smiled. "Far be it for me to interfere with your life, my dear. You came here to relax and recharge and you can do that however you see fit. I'll get along just fine. Now that I've reminded people I'm not some helpless, hobbled woman, I'm sure I'll be getting out a lot more. And I know you'd be bored to tears by my book club. And I'm sorry to say none of my friends listen to your kind of music, so even your aspirations to musical stardom would be of no interest to them. Besides, he is quite good-looking."
"And a little odd."
Victoria shrugged. "Well, we all pick up these little quirks. Odd is relative, after all. As long as you don't think he's dangerous, of course."
"Oh, no. It's not that at all."
"Well, good."
"I feel like I've met him somewhere before." She shook her head. "No way. If I'd met a guy like that before, I'd remember exactly where and when."
Victoria laughed. "Come on, let's get the caterer packed away and get some sleep. I am quite worn out."
Nora helped her aunt clear up after the party and went to bed although it was some time before she fell asleep.
In the morning Nora had a text message waiting for her with a request to meet for lunch from Corbin. She decided to invite him to her great-aunt's house since there were plenty of leftovers from the party. He agreed. He showed up wearing stylish black jeans, a fitted black t-shirt, a black onyx stud in one ear, and green colored contact lenses. Nora approved of his sense of style even if he wasn't strictly fashionable. She showed him around the house and grounds after lunch and Victoria made him promise to stay for afternoon tea. Finally Nora took him up to Castle Peak and they took a seat on the bench.
"So what do you do for a living?" Nora asked.
"Not very much. I'm working on my doctorate in biology. Ornithology, actually."
"You're going to be a professional bird-watcher?" she asked wryly.
He laughed. "Probably. I'm studying communication between ravens."
"And you came to Maine for that?"
"Mostly I came to relax. But luckily for me, the Common Raven can be found just about everywhere. One day I'd like to study rooks, but I'll have to get some money to go to Europe for that."
"Do you know how Castle Hill got its name?" Nora asked.
"No idea," he said, looking slightly puzzled at the abrupt topic change.
"Because the first European settlers noticed that a lot of black birds nested on the hill. They thought they were rooks so they called it ‘Rook Hill.’ But no one wanted to live here because they thought all the carrion birds were a bad omen. They thought it was cursed or something. But the Fletchers, those are Aunt Victoria's ancestors, saw a chance to buy a nice piece of land for cheap. And they did, but they renamed it ‘Castle Hill’ so people wouldn't get creeped out by all the birds, which were probably crows or ravens anyway. It's really a terrible pun."
"Ah, because rooks in chess are also called castles. That is a terrible pun."
"Leah would like it."
"You aren't scared by the supposed curse?"
"Of course not. It takes a lot to get me rattled. Anyway, no one in Aunt Victoria's family took the story seriously and look at all this," she said, gesturing at the ocean view and bay. "Sure, it's pretty lousy in winter, but right now, what could be better?"
"I agree," he said, but he was looking at Nora and not the view.
She blushed. "We should go in for tea now." And they did just that.
Three weeks quickly passed and Nora spent most of her free ti
me with Corbin. His manner still came across as a little odd even though she could not figure out exactly what behaviors gave her that impression. After a little while, those quirks didn't bother her at all. He seemed more inclined to listen than talk and let Nora take the lead on their dating activities, although it seemed he preferred walks around the grounds to going out to eat or to the movies. That suited Nora just fine. They discussed their backgrounds, but Corbin seemed disinclined to talk too much about what he called his ‘generic and boring’ upbringing and again preferred to listen to her. After their first kiss, Nora concluded he probably hadn't dated in awhile, but it didn't take long to overcome that minor obstacle. So far, the summer was shaping up to be one of best Nora could remember.
A few days later, Victoria found Nora sitting on Castle Peak, staring at the waves. She sat down next to her grand-niece.
"There is change on the waves," Nora said distantly. "Something's coming, and I don't think it's good."
The old woman sighed. "I agree. I hope your pleasant summer is not ruined."
Nora smiled. "I doubt it, I mean, unless Corbin just disappears or something."
"He is a most engaging young man. I'm glad you've found someone to spend time with."
"Oh, I'm not meaning to ignore you."
"It's fine, my dear. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I was afraid you'd start pining for your friends."
"Well, I do miss them."
"I know."
After a half of an hour, Nora helped her great-aunt walk back to the house.
Nora was anxious for a day or two, but spending time with Corbin made her forget the cause of her anxiety. She was trying