Page 76 of The Royal Governess
“We’ll fix that,” she whispered.
Wearing an impish smile, Sofia popped her head into the office. “Do you have time for a short visit?”
“I always have time for you, Sofia.”
Grabbing my hand, she towed me along with her. Maybe this had been a bad idea.
Marco looked surprised to see me. “And for you too, Profesora.” His tone softened. I relaxed a little.
Coming around the desk, he kissed his sister-in-law on both cheeks. “As usual, you look wonderful and fresh.”
Sofia giggled while his eyes turned to me. Drawing in a breath, he said nothing and turned away. Reaching for the brass bell used to call the servants, he asked, “Would you ladies like something. Coffee? A mimosa, perhaps?”
Looking like she meant business, Sofia shook her head. “Not for me.”
“Profesora?” Marco’s eyes seemed so impersonal, as if he’d erected a shield.
“Nothing, thank you.” I was having second thoughts about coming here.
“The only thing I want,” Sofia said, “is your undivided attention, Marco.”
With a guarded look, he motioned to the chairs. “Then please sit down.” Returning to his desk, Marco got comfortable. “So, what’s up, as the Americans say?”
“I’m here to talk about Gregorio. My godchild.”
“Is something wrong?” His eyes turned wary.
“Maybe.” Sofia pursed her lips. It amazed me how she could tease him with a look, while standing her ground. “It’s always been important to me that my son Alfonso be happy about his future. Don’t you wish the same for Gregorio?”
“But of course.”
Folding her hands in her lap, Sofia pinned Marco with a serious look. The mood had changed. “When we were younger, we all had our dreams, right? Certainly I thought I would marry the man of my dreams and live happily ever after.”
“Vincenzo was a very good man. Perhaps too old for you, but your parents meant well. Hadn’t they done the same for Bianca?” Here, Marco sighed. “We cannot blame our parents for decisions they made.”
“Goals.” Sofia stabbed the air with a manicured nail. “Our marriages were goals, Marco. You know that well.”
Although I knew nothing about Sofia’s marriage, she was now giving me a glimpse. One that made me feel great compassion for her. Was this the nature of marriage among royalty?
The lines on Marco’s face deepened and I sensed what he might look like in his old age. How it pained me that I would not be there to smooth away his concerns and soften life’s disappointments. “You’re right,” he finally said. “Perhaps Bianca may not have been my first choice, or I, hers.”
But Sofia was not about to become mired in the past. “Bianca was young. Perfect for the mother of your children.”
“She could be charming. So innocent and isolated from life’s problems.” A shadow crossed his handsome features. “I’d hoped that would change with motherhood and maturity.”
“Let’s not dwell on my poor sister.” Sofia got back to business. “She did not like motherhood. I felt sorry for her because she could not appreciate that joy.”
This conversation had turned into a walk down memory lane. Although it may be enlightening, I didn’t see how dredging up painful memories could benefit Gregorio.
“If you could have had your dream, what would you have done?” Sofia waited. And so did I.
Marco played with his empty coffee cup.
“Marco?” Sofia was waiting.
Releasing a sigh, he finally looked up. “I would have gone on to school. You know that, Sofia. Oxford or perhaps Harvard.”
Could Sofia hear the loss in his voice? The dream deferred?
