“Name it.”

“Alice’s planning a small get together at the weekend at Galewick Hall, isn’t she? Could she invite us? Could she call Sophia for me? That way Sophia won’t refuse the invitation.”

“Ashford, what happened? What have you done?”

“I think she’s mad at me. I said something I shouldn’t have.”

“Call her tomorrow. Apologize. Send flowers, chocolates. Everyone can say a wrong word one time or another.”


Essex, Saffron Walden. Galewick Hall.

Friday, February 12th, 2010.

5 p.m.

Ethan alighted from his Porsche as soon as they arrived at the front door, taking their luggage but leaving her to deal with a sleeping Gabriela in the backseat. “I’ll wait for you inside.”

The trip from London had been a silent one with Ethan unhappy Sophia had brought Gabriela along.

“Okay,” Sophia said in a small breath and shrugged. What can I do?

Since she started sleeping at Ethan’s, she’d hardly spent time with Gabriela at the weekends.

He demands too much of me. He has to understand that Gabriela is my priority. I’m going to talk with him. She stepped out of the car, admiring the grandeur of the place. The opulence of Galewick Hall, a huge towering eighteenth century house built in the Palladian style, diminished the home’s severity. The main building was four stories. Extensive gardens and forests beckoned walks and horse rides.

Right now, the whole weekend seemed a disastrous idea. Although already there, Sophia considered turning back but knew it would offend Leonard and his wife, who had done nothing to deserve it. She looked forward to meeting Leonard’s wife. In the last few months, Sophia had developed a steady friendship with Leonard. She grinned, remembering their business meeting just a few days before. He’s a gentleman. He surely knows how to lose gracefully.

“Come on, my dear, we’ve arrived.”

Gabriela opened her sky-blue eyes, so much like Gabriel’s. Sophia would never tire of looking at them. If they were the last thing I see in my life, I would die happily.

She fingered Gabriela’s long blonde locks, brushing them, got her out of the car and ran a hand to smooth the wrinkles out of her daughter’s turquoise dress. She surveyed herself and was pleased with what she saw. She wore a light pink Alberta Ferreti sweater embroidered with tiny flowers and leaves on the V-neck-it molded to her body, emphasizing her cleavage and small waist-and a light gray Chloé chamois jacket and shorts, opaque gray stockings, and black riding-style boots. She accented her outfit with Harry Winston diamond stud earrings, ring, and tennis bracelet, which Ethan had given her as an apology for his rude words.

Hasn’t he understood that jewelry can’t buy my affections? Sophia shook her head at herself. I shouldn’t have accepted any jewelry. I don’t need them. This is not what I’m looking for.

She was dressed as she liked. Discrete, but with some color and a daring touch. She would make quite an impression, she was certain. So, why am I so nervous? Ethan was so rude leaving me at the door.

“Angel, don’t dawdle, we really have to go.” She picked Gabriela up in her arms and stepped into the gargantuan marbled hall, a grand staircase at the back.

An employee came toward her. Stiff-backed, liveried in gray and white, as if to match his hair. He had a thin frame and stoic face. “Good afternoon, miss. I’m Chambers. May I help you?”

“Ah, well, yes. I came with Mr. Ashford.”

“Oh, yes, Mademoiselle Santo, I’m sure. You’re in the blue room. First floor, to your left, third door on your right and your daughter, Miss Gabriela, is with the children, in the yellow room, also on first floor, to the right, second door, on your left.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chambers.”

“Oh, no, please, just Chambers, ma’am. If you would please follow me, the party is gathered in the library.”

Sophia had an urgent and incoherent need to laugh. Oh, is this for real? First door, to the left or to the right? I can’t remember it anymore. I will lose myself in this maze. I will definitely need the help of ‘Just Chambers’. She laughed inwardly. Oh, and, the funny way he talks and walks? I thought butlers like him were extinct.

Sophia entered the library with Gabriela in her arms. Her daughter clutched her neck and hid behind her hair.

Leonard’s embrace immediately engulfed Sophia. She chuckled and gave him a one-arm hug.

“How are you, my friend? Have you been preparing yourself for a second round?”

‘Yes, sure, and beware, because next time I’m going to win,” he assured her with a teasing grin. “Leibowitz Oil won’t get away with ensuring this weird clause you devised.”

“We shall see.” She wiggled her brows.

“So, you’re the woman that has been keeping my husband from my bed!” A feminine voice complained.

Sophia looked around Leonard’s shoulder to see an astonishing woman, very tall, around six feet, with fierce red hair, astonishing forest-green eyes, and a heart-shaped mouth. Tiny light freckles sprinkled across her pale cream skin.

“Sophia, let me introduce you to my wife, Alice. Alice, the infamous Sophia.”

“Hey, not infamous. Famous, I’ll allow.” Turning to Alice, she said, “How do you do, Alice? Leonard talks about you a lot. This is my daughter, Gabriela.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.” She grinned and kissed Sophia and, even though Gabriela tried to hide in the hollow of her mother’s neck, Alice stroked the girl’s hair. “Leo has also told me a lot about you.”

Sophia gave Leonard a piercing look.

“Nothing you wouldn’t have told yourself,” he chuckled. “Come, since your boyfriend already sat down, let me-”

“I’m not anyone’s boyfriend, Allenthorp, much less hers,” Ethan put forth harshly.

With that loud statement, the room fell into a hushed silence.

Sophia turned to look at him and even small Gabriela pushed from her hiding place, her eyes blazing, prepared to defend her mother.

Sophia cocked her head to the side waiting for an explanation while Leonard stood there, as if struck by lightning.

Perceiving that his statement had been badly received, Ethan amended. “Boyfriend is for teenagers. We have a relationship.”

“Indeed,” was the only answer Sophia could think of, despite the fact that she thought her sarcasm was lost on Ethan’s arrogance and bad mood.

Breathing deep, she smiled to Leonard, “So, Dr. Walter I already know. The others you’ll have to introduce.” She smiled at her gentle gynecologist. “How are you? It’s a pleasant surprise to meet you here. Gabriela, this is Dr. Walter. Give him a kiss.”

“A doctor?” Gabriela buried her head again in Sophia’s neck. “I don’t like doctors. They have needles hidden behind their backs.”

“Smart girl, aren’t you?” John Walter chuckled and showed Gabriela his hands. “See, no needles.”

Gabriela looked at him from her hiding place, said a small “Hello” and hid again.

John had thinning blond hair and blue eyes. He had a quietness that had always relaxed Sophia. “Nice to see you, Sophia.” He shook her hand, “Please, dear, call me John. Leave the doctor at the office.” He made a gesture to the woman at his side, “This is my wife, Claire.”

His introduced his wife, a five foot three, beautiful French brunette, dressed impeccably with perfectly manicured nails and Chanel-style hair. Mademoiselle Coco would approve.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophia. That’s a lovely outfit.” She had a strong French accent.

“Thank you, Claire,” Sophia answered in French. “I love French couture.”

“Sophia, this is my mother, Elena. You two have a lot in common.” Next to Claire sat Leonard’s mother. Sixty-seven years old, she looked every inch the dowager duchess. Because of the gentle way Leonard spoke of his mother, Sophia had thought she would find a frail woman. Elena was anything but delicate or small. Instead, here sat a strong willed, five-foot-seven woman who still showed traces of the beauty from her youth. She had dark brown hair, almost black eyes, and olive skin like most Spanish women. She wore a skirt suit in a daring, yet suitable, combination of white, red, and black. Her English still had a charming Spanish accent and she had a informal way of making you feel at home.

“How do you do?” Elena kissed Sophia on the cheeks, very informally, “I was looking forward to meeting you, Sophia. Leonard told me a lot about your work with women and children. I was hoping to persuade you to give a lecture at the institution over which I preside.”

“I would be delighted, Elena. Let’s talk about it and you can explain to me exactly what you want. I really love this work.”

Leonard pointed to a man seated next to Ethan. “That rascal there is my brother, Alexander. Alex meet Sophia Santo, the witch.” Leonard’s younger brother resembled his mother very much. He wore loose gray jeans and a white knitted sweater that complemented his olive skin nicely. His brown-black eyes sparkled with mischief and he had a devil-may-care way of carrying himself that must drive women crazy.

Alexander waved and a handsome, knowledgeable smile slashed his face, showing white teeth, “Sophia Santo?” He lifted his brows high. “Mmm. I’m not afraid of witches, Brother,” he retorted from his place, the strange look in his eyes nagging Sophia. He nodded at her, again.

“Yo no creo en las brujas, ¡pero que las hay, las hay! Brother. I assure you, Sophia is one of them.”

“Stop, Leonard. I’m no witch.” Sophia punched him lightly on the arm, grinning. “I prefer the idea of fairy godmother.”