have any to give. It seems to me that gratitude is not enough of a basis for a vital relationship.”

“No. I don't want us to remain mired in this sorrow forever.”

“Naturally.” Adrian pondered some more. “This thought occurred to me.

She's certainly not used to expressing her feelings or asking for what she wants,

so you run the risk of developing congenial parallel lives that don't touch each other.”

“How dreadful. I don't want that. How do I become… real to her?” He had

been toying moodily with his glass, but now he met his father's eyes.

“I don't know,” his father replied, blunt as always. “I suppose you're going to

have to observe her closely. She won't ask for anything, so you have to figure out

what she needs. It will be difficult, but if you don't do it, I'm rather sure she will withdraw from you and just live inside herself for the rest of her life. You'll need

to draw her out gently and slowly, so she doesn't panic. In short, son, you've undertaken a monumental task. I hope you're up to the challenge.”

Christopher rolled his eyes toward heaven. “So do I, Father.”

CHAPTER 9

“Y ou're not upset, are you, Mrs. Bennett?” Katerina asked as she

settled onto the bench of the harpsichord in the Bennetts' music

room. This room is my favorite in the house, the one where I feel

most comfortable.

“Upset, Katerina?” her mother-in-law replied, sinking onto the settee.

“About what? And please do not call me Mrs. Bennett. It's your name too now,

my dear. I'm either Julia or Mother to you.”

“Mother, then,” she said, pleased by the smile her words elicited. “About Christopher and me getting married without consulting you.”

“Oh, no!” Julia cried, gesturing with her teacup and sloshing a little tea onto

her dress. “I'm upset you had a… crisis. I was afraid something like this might

happen. I hate how badly you've been hurt, but I'm delighted you're finally safe,

my dear. I wanted this for you, for both of you. I think, once you've recovered

from your ordeal a bit, you and Christopher will be excellent together. I do wish

there had been time for us to talk a little before the actual… marriage took place.

I assume you're… fully married at this point?”

Katerina colored. “Yes.”

Julia nodded. “Good. Did you know what to expect?”

The burn in her cheeks intensified. “Not at all, but Christopher got me

through the process well enough.”

“Oh, dear. I imagine that was awkward.” Mrs. Bennett's lips twisted at the thought.

“Yes.” And so is this line of questioning. Please, don't carry on.

Julia, it seemed, was not finished, though she hesitated before asking, “Was

it… all right?”

Katerina nodded, her hands pressed to her cheeks. “I didn't hate it.”

“Good. That's a good start. Husbands like their intimacies very much. It's good if their wives do too.”

“This is a very uncomfortable conversation.”

“You're right,” Mrs. Bennett agreed, though her porcelain cheeks remained

uncolored by any discomfort she might have felt, “but you don't have a mother. I

want to be sure, since you're embarking on married life, that you understand what is needed. Do you have any questions?”

Katerina thought for a moment. “How do I fall in love with my husband?”

Julia blinked in surprise, and then a wide grin split her face. “What an excellent question, love. Here's what you do. First, don't rush yourself. You have

a lot to get past before you can be open with anyone. But while you're healing,

look at your husband. Every person has good and bad qualities. You need to understand the bad ones, how you feel about them, so you won't be surprised by

them. And then you need to see what is good about Christopher, glory in it. Roll

his goodness around yourself like a blanket until you feel warm and safe and happy with him.”

“I already do,” she replied. And with every act of kindness he performs, almost without thought, I feel it more.