“Thank you. A glass of wine would be much appreciated.” Normally, Rex and I would have a private room when we dined out. With the season, our nights together had suffered. When we did socialize as a couple, it was usually with other members of Parliament who invited us to some state dinner or other affair. Very rarely did I venture out alone, and it was quite refreshing.
“Isn’t this place divine?” Olivia asked. It had become fashionable for women to luncheon at restaurants such as this without their spouses.
“I think it is lovely.” I took the napkin and laid it in my lap, admiring the embossed silver cutlery polished to a high shine.
We were forced to stop talking when the sommelier brought the wine to our table, a white napkin over his sleeve. The waiter followed behind with two glasses, placing them before us. The two men worked in tandem, the flirty waiter staring at me a bit longer than was proper. I felt a tingling inside my core that was completely unacceptable.
The sommelier was an older man with distinguished gray temples who poured some wine into the glass with a flourish, allowing Olivia to taste it before she nodded. Rex usually did all of this, and it was somewhat odd to watch another woman take charge, except it was liberating at the same time. I never realized how much I depended on my husband for formalities. Olivia wasn’t shy about performing anything that could be construed as outside the window of propriety for society ladies. Another thing I admired about her.
The waiter gave us each a menu. The slender leather cover was richly embossed, and I admired the tassels binding it, the green silk pretty against the white tablecloth.
Soft music began to drift across the space, the sound soothing to my ears. “This is quite lovely,” I said. The strains of Chopin’sRaindrops Preludeserenaded us with a beautiful melody.
“Yes, the music here is very peaceful.” It was a bright day, and sunshine cut through the stained glass windows at the top of the atrium, adding a lively air to the dining room.
“How is Nigel?” I shook my head, recalling too late our agreement. “I am sorry, we agreed the conversation today would be about us, not our children.”
“Indeed, you are right.” She lifted her glass and sipped the wine. “Did I ever tell you I wanted to be a doctor?”
“A doctor, you say?” Women weren’t allowed to study medicine in England. However, I had heard there were several who studied in Sweden and became doctors. “How very fascinating.”
“I wanted to help save lives. After Nigel was born, I realized I would be a horrible doctor because I get very queasy at the sight of blood.” She released a visible shudder, regret in her eyes. “Alas, dreams have a way of fading when reality sets in.”
“Indeed, you are correct.” I didn’t have such grand aspirations. During my childhood, I discovered I had a gift for music. It had been my salvation in a sea of strife and uncertainty. Through my violin, I had lost myself in melodies to avoid the tribulations in my life.
“If you had anything you could do in this world, what would it be?” Olivia asked.
“I have no idea.” Embarrassment heated my cheeks. Removing my gloves, I frowned at the chip in my thumbnail in contemplation. I would have to see to that when I returnedhome. My father had drilled into my head that I needed to look the perfect lady both outside and inside my home. In his words, I shouldn’t force my husband to stray because I did not present myself in a manner that would reflect well on him.
“Come now, Eleanor. Surely you had some dreams when you were younger, even if they were silly.”
A couple next to us laughed. The sound cut into the silence between us. I was nervous and unsure why. We were simply having a conversation about our one-time dreams. Except mine hadn’t truly faded. “I always dreamed of auditioning for the National Training School of Music. Of course, it is too late for that.”
A smile bloomed on her face at my admission. “It is never too late. Why don’t you do it?”
“Because it is no longer in existence.” Even if it still existed, I had so much happening in my life it would be impossible to carve out the time to do it. Except that, my children were leaving, which would leave a big gap in my day.
“There are other conservatories. Flynn is on the board of the Kensington Music Conservatory. Like you, he has a great love of music.”
“Even if I wished to, it isn’t possible.” I stared at my chipped nail, unable to un-see the damage.
“Why can’t you?”
Silence fell again before I looked at her, my mouth quirking. I shrugged. “There’s no reason why I shouldn’t, is there?” A spark of excitement rushed through me at the prospect. Would I have the nerve to try?
“No, there’s no reason you shouldn’t. I will speak to Flynn and—”
“No, you mustn’t.” Olivia tended to take things a bit too far in her enthusiasm. It had been Mary’s number one complaint about her sister-in-law. “If I applied, and I am not saying I shall,I don’t wish to get in because of his influence or my status as a duchess.”
“You can always use an alias and apply as Eleanor Smith.”
“I’m not sure if I could get away with that. There aren’t very many duchesses and I am very recognizable. The papers have carried our photograph several times due to Rex’s status in Parliament.” My explanation sounded more like an excuse than a reason. The spark of something exciting had ignited, and I would give some serious thought to her suggestion.
“You would be surprised. People see what they want to see.” The waiter came back, eyeing Olivia with a bit more interest than a servant should. He was clearly attentive to her, and with good reason. She was very charming and vivacious.
“Have you two ladies decided what you would like to order?”
Olivia lay down her menu and, giving me an inquiring glance, said, “We will leave it up to you to decide.”
