Page 35 of The Baron Takes a Wife

“I think there is enough snobbery on their end that I am owed some.” Sophie’s lips were tight, and her face suddenly looked drawn. “I’ll never forgive the ton for how they treated your mother for coming from trade and daring to marry one of them.”

David shook his head. “It’s not like we’re an ancient blue-blooded line. My father’s family were also merchant stock.”

“Well, we’re the ones standing tall now as their ancient estates fall to ruin.” Sophie went on as if she hadn’t heard David. “Thank goodness I never married one of those bores.”

Irene chuckled. “Aunt Sophie, I cannot see you taking orders from any man.”

“Not something I plan to do anytime soon,” Sophie replied dryly.

Elena remembered her conversation from the previous day with Annamaria. Annamaria deserved that same independence, to be free of fear and hunger.

“Aunt Sophie, I met a young woman at the hospital the other day. Her family is from Naples, and she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, even though she has had many misfortunes.” Elena prayed that was a polite way to summarize why Annamaria was in the hospital. “Would you consider meeting with her to see if you could take her on as a secretary?”

Sophie considered this, her sharp eyes narrowing as if she could see bills and ledgers before her the others could not. “I could use a secretary, actually. Business has been picking up, and we have added several more Italian wines. She could help with the communication and invoices… yes, I should like to see your hospital, Elena. It’s good for Irene to see life outside of the aristocracy.”

“Oh, it’s not my hospital.” Elena felt warm as she noticed everyone’s gazes were on her, so she rapidly changed the subject.

“We are also going to the opera Saturday, Aunt Sophie. Would you care to join us?”

“No, my dear, that is not my crowd, as they say. I’ll stay in, I should think.”

“Oh, but Aunt Sophie, it’s not about the crowd. It’s about the music,” Irene interjected.

Sophie looked at Irene sadly. “For you, sweet girl, it likely is about the music. For almost everyone else there, unfortunately, it is not.”

Irene sat back, clearly disappointed, but she recovered with alacrity.

“Shall I play for you, Aunt Sophie?”

Sophie gave a clipped head bob, and Irene rose to open the French doors to the adjoining music room. As she began, Elena closed her eyes to enjoy the music. When she opened them, Sophie was right beside her. The way she leaned forward made Elena envision a cat enjoying itself in the sun, happy in the moment but ready to lash out if annoyed.

“How has her Season been?” Sophie asked quietly, cocking her head toward Irene.

Elena reminded herself of Sophie’s love of blunt honesty. She struggled to find the words to describe Irene these past few weeks.

“It seems as though the Season does not entirely agree with Irene.”

“She lacks beaux?”

“No, she is very sought after. But she doesn’t seem to be very happy.” Elena hoped she wasn’t being too forward in her opinion, but it was the truth as far as she could see. Sophie sat back, folding her hands together.

“I questioned whether she should have a Season at all. She doesn’t need to marry some idle aristocrat at eighteen. My sister married one to raise our family status, but it didn’t change much in the end. Thank goodness he was kind to her.” Sophie looked wistfully at Irene, and Elena was reminded that Irene was supposed to be the very image of her mother. Sophie seemed to catch herself and turned back to Elena. “A girl with money needn’t marry young. Not ever, if she doesn’t want to.” Elena nodded as she understood what Sophie was trying to say. Irene ought to be able to decide her future for herself. Sophie went on, “I’m going to make sure she is taken care of. Just so she knows that she has even more choices if she should want them.” Sophie looked back at her. “Do you intend to stay the entire Season?”

“That depends on Irene, I suppose. David is eager to check on the estate and meet his steward.” She glanced at her husband, who was engrossed in his sister’s playing. Even then, with his eyes toward the piano, she felt like he had an awareness of her across the room that she could feel down to her bones. She didn’t know what to make of that awareness, but it made her skin prickle and her muscles tense.

“And how is my nephew?” Elena almost smiled. Sophie acted the part of the curmudgeon, but she clearly cared deeply about her niece and nephew. They were each other’s only family, after all.

“He has some trouble with crowds, but he is greatly improved. There are times he doesn’t even need his cane.” She thought of him carrying her to bed the previous night and felt a small shiver down her spine. She hoped Sophie didn’t notice.

“You’re good for him, you know. Mind you, I don’t think I would have ever dreamed you up in my wildest imagination.” Sophie chuckled. “But he was lost for a while after his father died. I didn’t want him to go off to war, but when he sets his mind on something, it’s difficult to change it. But now, he looks whole. He looks like he’s found his purpose in life.”

Elena had not known David before the war, so she could not see all the differences. He certainly looked much more robust than when she met him outside Balaclava. She wondered what purpose he had found in life.

“So, you will accompany us to the hospital but not the opera?”

“Yes, I think I’ll prefer the company at the hospital.”

“You might be a reverse snob, Aunt Sophie, but I’m not sure there is anything wrong with that.” Elena almost reached out and touched Sophie’s hand in affection but immediately thought better of it and kept her hands in her lap.