Adrian regarded his son. This is not going to be a rescue forever. Christopher has progressed well down the road towards loving his wife. His father

recognized all the signs. If his love means anything to Katerina, someday, Lord

willing, they will have the kind of vital marriage they both claim to want.

Father and son worked in silence for a long period, Adrian letting

Christopher regain his composure, and then he spoke again. “You know, it might

not be a bad idea for you two to take a little… trip together. A sort of wedding

tour. You jumped back into everyday life three days after your marriage.”

Christopher pondered the suggestion. “You know, you're right, but who will

take care of… all of this,” he indicated his desk, “if I went away?”

“Let your brother do it,” Adrian suggested. “He needs a taste of the family business. I know how you run things, and I can guide him.”

“Interesting thought,” Christopher replied, smirking.

Adrian also smiled at the thought of his youngest child, a towering, flame-haired yet bookish adolescent, working in the family business he hated.

Then, Christopher spoke again. “Where should I take her? The south of

France might be nice this time of year, and we both speak the language rather well.”

Adrian sighed at the typical newlywed mistake. “Ask her where she wants to

go. She might prefer Italy.”

“Ah, good point.” Christopher turned to face his father. “So, you would be in

favor of me taking an extended holiday on short notice?”

“I really would,” Adrian assured him. “This is your family, son. Your

marriage is for life. It's important.”

“Well, all right then, Father. Thank you very much.” His grin told Adrian how much Christopher liked the idea of spending time alone with his wife.

Adrian smiled also. He had been married a long time himself, but he could

still remember the potent blend of desire and tenderness that accompanied the early days. Honestly, nothing much changed over the decades except those

sizzling feelings deepened and strengthened. With luck, Christopher and

Katerina's marriage would do the same.

“I think you'll do quite nicely,” Katerina said, surprising herself with her calm, businesslike manner. It's because this young woman is so personable. Something

about her just makes me feel comfortable. She's not as experienced as the older

lady who stopped by an hour ago, but that woman reminded me of my lady'smaid Marietta. A chill threatened to run up her spine, but she suppressed it.

Judgmental and grumpy has no place in this household.

“Why thank you, ma'am,” Miss Katie Lawrence replied fervently. “I'll do my

best and work ever so hard.” The girl's openhearted manner and country-bred accent made her all the more appealing.

“No need,” Katerina replied, waving her hand in the young brunette's

direction. “There are only two of us, and while my husband is a bit… messy, I'm

not. I'll never work your fingers to the bone. Only do your job to the best of your

ability. That's all I ask.”

“Thank you, ma'am.”

“When will you be able to start? Is tomorrow too soon?”

“Not at all! I'll be here bright and early…”

“At nine,” Katerina interrupted firmly. “After my husband leaves for work.

That will give me time to help him find his socks and gloves and get him out the

door so he's not late.”

“I'll do just that,” Katie vowed. “Thank you again, Mrs. Bennett.”

“Excellent, Miss Lawrence. I'll see you then.”

The young woman gathered up a flowered satchel in which she'd carried a stack of copies of her references and scooted out the door.

Flushed with success, Katerina decided to put off writing polite rejection letters to the other two applicants for a few minutes and wandered down the hall

from her parlor to the music room. I need to ask Christopher if he can secure me some fabric to make curtains. Surely, I can manage a simple straight hem or two.

I hope he has a vivid red. This room needs color and red looks so lovely with theblack of a piano.

She sank onto the bench and squinted at the sheet music in front of her.

Changing her mind about serious practice, she instead translated her giddy, positive mood into a spritely bit of Mozart, and then chased it with “Fur Elise.”