Love in E Flat by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online

you,” she said dryly. “But I believe this interview is not about your sexuality, of which you are very proud, I’m sure.” She took another sip. “There is another part to this interview for Mrs. Trent. It is the reason for this dinner, is it not?”
    Lou took a very long drink and rubbed her forehead. She was losing control quickly. She cleared her throat and took another drink. “Yes, exactly. So if you don’t mind, I might ask a few questions that Edie already asked. I don’t want to sound redundant.”
    “The night is young, Miss Preston. You may ask anything you like, and I will answer.” She sat back, smoothing the napkin in her lap. “If I like.”
    Lou swirled the ice in her empty glass and looked around for Luke.
    This would be a long, long night.

 

    Chapter 6

    “Yes, I was born in St. Petersburg. My mother is Polish. She was born in a village outside of Warsaw. My father is Russian, born in Minsk.”
    “Minsk Kapinsk?” Lou asked with a grin.
    Agata frowned deeply. “You have a propensity for making fun of things.”
    Lou laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not really making fun of you. You’re just so serious.”
    “And that is wrong?” Agata put her fork down on the empty plate.
    Lou was impressed this woman ate so much and kept so fit. She stared at the plate.
    “Now what are you thinking?”
    “Just that you have a healthy appetite. You can really pack away the food.” Lou immediately winced. “I didn’t mean that as an insult. Actually, I admire you.”
    “Because I eat?” Agata sat back.
    “No, because you do it so well,” Lou said, enjoying the slight smile she got. “Did you grow up in St. Petersburg, Madam Karetnikov?”
    “We do not need to be formal. You may call me Agata. And yes, my parents moved from Minsk to St. Petersburg when they married.”
    “What year was this?”
    Agata raised an eyebrow. “Trying to find out my age?”
    Lou blushed. “No, just wondering if the Cold War was over or not.”
    Agata nodded. “I was born in early sixties, so yes, we were still Communists.” She stared at her wineglass. “Though my parents fought it nearly every day of their lives.”
    Lou heard the sad tone and said nothing as she drank her wine. For a moment, Agata did the same, then she took a deep, almost pensive breath. “My parents were musicians, as well.”
    “Really? The cello?” Lou asked.
    “No. My father played the piano, but he made his living teaching music at the university. My mother played the violin for the Mariinsky Ballet, which was once the Kirov Ballet, in St. Petersburg.”
    “Was it hard for them?” Lou asked softly.
    Agata looked up with tears rimming her blue eyes. “Yes, it was.”
    Lou felt as though she were intruding; mercifully, Luke stood by the table. “Dessert, ladies?”
    Agata smiled and Lou could not help but grin at the look of childlike anticipation. “Enlighten me, please.”
    Luke laughed. “May I suggest the lemon tart?”
    “You may,” Agata said, nearly licking her lips. “And a dessert wine?”
    “Of course. I shall pick one for you.” Luke looked at Lou. “And for you?”
    “Irish coffee, thanks.”
    Luke winked and walked away. Lou hesitantly looked across the table. She wasn’t sure how to gauge what Agata was thinking. She didn’t want to be intrusive. Agata’s gaze met Lou’s, and for the slightest second, Lou noticed a soft, almost endearing look. It quickly faded.
    “You may ask me anything, Miss Preston.”
    “Please, call me Lou.” She smiled as Agata nodded. “I don’t want to intrude on your life…”
    “It is all right, Lou. My parents were people who had great passion and did what was not acceptable in Russia at that time. They actively said what they thought, which in the past was costly to so many people. You see, because of their abilities, my parents had certain privileges. Living in St. Petersburg in a nice home was one of them.” She laughed a little ruefully. “But they were activists and