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“So, Sarah Vieri is married to Joseph Stoner.”
“You heard of them?” I’m surprised, although I shouldn’t be. Mom only came to live in Russia when she married my father. She is an American by birth and lived there her entire life before she fell in love with him.
“I know them.” Her voice has a sad edge to it, and she sighs heavily. “It was so long ago and I’m just a little surprised to hear those names again.”
“What do you know of them?”
I’m curious, and mama says with a slight grin. “Enough, Alexei. You see, there is a lot I know, but nobody ever asks. I haven’t lived with your father all these years not to have learned how to play the game. This is just what I need right now, but I must ask you to leave us alone.”
“Why?” I’m curious but know not to refuse and she just smiles sweetly. “Because women like to gossip, my love, and we don’t need an audience. Secrets have a habit of being spilled when the conversation is free, and I apologize in advance for spilling a few secrets of my own.”
She laughs softly at my expression, that must be one of confusion. However, she is right. Mama has been a Romanov for more years than she was a Harvey, and I must give her the credit she deserves.
CHAPTER20
SERENA
When Alexei left, it gave me a strange feeling inside. I didn’t like it. I haven’t known him long, but I like him. He’s the first man who treated me like a person, not a protected figurehead. Now I must walk away for both our sakes, but I’m hating every minute.
When the door opens, my heart leaps but crashes back to earth when an elegant woman stands there instead of him and says warmly, “You must be Serena.”
I smile, realizing immediately this must be Alexei’s mother. She has a similarity to Alexei; the same eyes and smile and I note her black dress and sad eyes and my heart reaches out to her.
“Mrs. Romanov. I am sorry for your loss.”
I bow my head with respect, and she sighs. “Thank you. I wish we were meeting under happier circumstances, but I heard you are leaving us.”
“I shouldn’t be here.” I say with a sad smile. “You are grieving, and the last thing you need is a visitor intruding on your family’s grief.”
“I disagree.” She points toward the couch.
“Please. Talk to me. I need the distraction.”
I’m surprised that she’s here at all and, of course, I can refuse her nothing right now, so I do as she asks and perch on the edge of the couch.
She wastes no time and says with a sad smile. “I know your family, Serena.”
I stare at her in amazement. “You do?”
“Yes, and one of them personally because I went to college with your Aunt Giselle.”
“It’s a small world, Mrs. Romanov.” I say with a smile, and she nods, her blue eyes piercing as she stares at me with a steadfast look.
“I could never forget her. It was a scandal that was spoken about for years after it happened.”
“I don’t understand.”
There is something telling me I’m about to learn why the Romanovs are so successful because if this is a casual conversation, I’m not a Vieri by birth.
She smiles sympathetically. “She was two years older than me, but we all knew of her. Giselle Vieri was a beautiful woman. She held herself well, almost like a queen, and to us she was.”
I remain silent because my aunt has always conducted herself with grace and poise, so I’m not surprised.
“Then a terrible thing happened, and she left college.”
I lean forward. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry, my dear, I’m speaking out of turn.”
