Page 24 of The Unseen (Echoes from the Past #5)

NINETEEN

Valentina did consider Alexei’s proposal, but by the time he was ready to leave on Thursday evening, she was no closer to committing to his plan.

Seeing his mother fuss over him, and his sister shyly ask him questions and blush when he complimented her on her budding beauty, made Valentina keenly aware of the heartbreak they’d be causing.

She wanted nothing more than to stand before a priest and make her vows with Alexei, but she wanted to do so with the support of both their families.

She was afraid to stay, but she was even more afraid to run away, to an unknown place and an unknown future.

She’d never envisioned herself as a working woman.

She’d been bred to be a lady, a countess, a woman of leisure and wealth.

She knew what it was like to be a subordinate in someone’s home.

Olga Alexandrovna was like a mouse, always scurrying down corridors and out of sight, terrified to bring on her employer’s displeasure.

She was an unmarried woman from an impoverished family.

She needed the work, and needed a roof over her head.

Valentina couldn’t imagine such a future.

And Alexei. Driving a cab. Ferrying paying customers like a lowly coachman when he was a count, a man who’d have wealth and influence in his own right.

No, she couldn’t agree to that. Things were difficult, but they could still change.

Perhaps if the war finally came to an end, the people wouldn’t be so angry, so desperate.

They’d see the error of their ways and invite the Tsar back to take his rightful place.

The Bolsheviks would disband and go back to their lives, perhaps with higher pay and better prospects, their livelihood improved by the changes instituted by the government and sanctioned by the Tsar.

All this unrest and fear would pass, and a new day would dawn in which they could all reclaim their place in society and resume their lives.

“Valya, if you have a change of heart, send a message to me at the barracks once you return to the city,” Alexei said when she walked him to the gate .

“Alyosha, I want to wait. Just a few more months. Let’s see how things are by Christmas.”

“It’ll be more difficult to travel during the winter months.”

“I know, but I’m just not ready. I’m afraid.”

Alexei leaned down and kissed her gently. “I’m afraid too, dorogaya Valya. More afraid than I’ve ever been. But I will bide my time. I’ll wait. But there’s something I want you to do.”

“What?”

“When you return to Petrograd, pack a small valise with a change of clothes, a winter coat and boots, and some undergarments. And sew a false pocket into one of your gowns.”

“Whatever for?”

“To hide valuables.”

“Why do I need a valise and a gown with a secret pocket?”

“Valya, there might come a time when you’ll have to flee. There’ll be no time to think clearly or make preparations.”

“That will never happen.” Valentina shook her head stubbornly as if she could chase away the terrifying thought.

“It’s better to be ready and have no need of your supplies than to need your supplies and not be ready should the worst come to pass.”

“You’re frightening me, Alyosha.”

“I’m only trying to impress the seriousness of the situation upon you. Should you need to leave, go to my aunt in Paris. Her name is Elizaveta Petrova and she lives at seventeen Rue Lafayette. I will meet you there as soon as I’m able. Will you remember the address?”

“Yes. Seventeen Rue Lafayette. Elizaveta Petrova. ”

“Good girl.”

“We’d best get going, Alexei Vladimirovich,” Petr said. He was waiting by the gate, sitting on the bench of the simple trap he’d use to deliver Alexei back to the city.

“Of course, Petr. I’m coming.” Alexei kissed Valentina and looked deep into her eyes. “Do as I ask. Please.”

She nodded and watched miserably as he climbed into the cart.

After Alexei left, everyone seemed listless and melancholy, but none as much as Valentina.

Perhaps she should have agreed to his plan, she thought, as she moped about the house and garden.

Perhaps he was right and the situation was a lot more desperate than she allowed herself to believe.

She decided that if nothing changed by Christmas, she’d agree to his plan.