Part 33 (1/2)

”I hope you don't mind me saying...” she began and my eyes went to hers.

She was casting a quick peek at the footman and I waited as patiently as I could for her to continue.

Finally, she seemed to feel safe in turning her attention to me but when she spoke again, her voice had lowered.

”My husband has shared with me much of his history.”

I put down my fork, reached again to my coffee cup and held it aloft, keeping my gaze locked to hers. I nodded once, slowly, an indication for her to go on.

She did so.

”When I say much, what I mean is all of it,” she clarified.

”You are his wife,” I stated carefully. ”This comes as no surprise.”

”In doing so,” she sallied forth swiftly, still speaking low but now doing it like she wished she wasn't, ”he of course had to share about you.”

”Of course,” I agreed.

She licked her lips and pressed them together.

I took a sip of coffee, giving her time.

”I...it's not my place,” she eventually carried on.

”What isn't your place?” I inquired when she didn't explain.

”To say what I wish to say,” she finished.

I drew in breath and put my cup in its saucer. Once I'd done that, I folded my hands in my lap and straightened my shoulders minutely in hopes she wouldn't see this effort at bracing for what I suspected she felt was not her place to say was that now, as her husband had started to blossom out from under the oppression of oppressive parents, she felt secure enough to do the same.

But her oppression had come at my hands.

And therefore now she felt it was time to share a few choice things with me about how I'd treated her, and even Kristian, not the least of which was dragging my brother into my treachery, in doing so putting him, her and their son at risk.

Things I'd not only earned having to hear but I deserved.

I would not relish it, of that I was certain.

But I deserved it.

When she didn't speak further, I felt it was my place to invite her to do so.

This I did.

”I have not treated you thus, Brikitta, and there were reasons for this that may at this juncture seem feeble and still cruel so I'll not insult you by attempting to explain them, but in the end you are my sister. The sister my brother chose to add to our family when he fell in love with you. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that in the past I've not hesitated in saying a great many things to you, most of them unwelcome. I'm sure you've sensed much has changed in the last weeks. Thus I'd like to encourage you at this time to return that favor, no matter what you wish to say. All I can say at this time to rea.s.sure you is that you have my vow no matter what you say, there will be no ramifications, to you or my brother.”

She stared at me, her eyes widened, her lips parted in astonishment.

She did this but she did not snap out of it and say what she wished to say.

Therefore I added, ”In other words, Brikitta, you are my sister. You are my family. And thus it's absolutely your place to say whatever is on your mind.”

”Thank you,” she whispered.

I shook my head. ”You don't need to thank me for sharing that you're free to speak your mind.”

”No, what I wished to say that I didn't think was my place to say was...thank you.”

I stared at her, puzzled.

”Pardon?” I asked.

”You...I love my husband,” she stated.

”This I know,” I told her.

”And you kept him safe. For years, you kept him safe. Thank you.”

Suddenly, it was me turning my eyes away. Indeed, I turned my whole head away, giving her my profile. And for no reason, I lifted my napkin to touch it to my lips as I fought for composure.

”Franka,” she called softly.

”A moment if you don't mind,” I replied, and d.a.m.n it all, my voice was thick.

”Certainly,” she murmured.

I drew in breath, put the napkin to my lap and again faced my sister-in-law.

The instant I caught her eyes, I saw hers were not timid or frightened. They were bright with emotion, undoubtedly just like mine.

”That is done. We move on from here, yes?” she asked, her tone also quite husky.

I nodded, not trusting my voice not to give me away.

”Good,” she said and carefully cleared her throat.

I again took up my fork and used it to slice into a fat, juicy sausage.

”I also would like to extend my invitation for you to journey back and stay with us at our aateliskartono,” she said. ”Kristian is right, we have much room and I think he'll quite enjoy his sister close for a while. Not to mention, watching you get to know your nephew better.”

I had never much thought of children except the fact that I never intended to have any. I had not had good examples of parenting and the very thought of being in that position (I did not admit to myself but it was true) terrified me.

But one could definitely say that Timofei was the handsomest child I'd ever laid my eyes on, and from what little I'd noted, he was exceptionally bright, and I was certain that was not a prejudiced a.s.sessment in the slightest.

”I would enjoy both,” I told her. ”With the addition of spending time getting to know my sister better.”

She flushed at my words and then awarded me the first smile I think she'd ever given me, except the one she gave upon meeting me, something to which I said something foul that wiped it clean from her face.

I curved my lips up in return.