Clemmie blinked, not quite understanding what she meant.
“But Hans is much a lover of nature. I am too, but I only go on shorter walks. I am not as strong.” She looked adoringly at her husband. They were clearly in love. “What are your preferences?”
Again Clemmie wasn’t entirely sure what she meant. “Well, I… I enjoy calling on my friends.”
“Do you study? I study architecture.”
That wasn’t something Clemmie had expected. She’d never been encouraged to study. Certainly not something like architecture. “I suppose I’m very interested in languages.”
Sofia looked impressed, and Clemmie was glad she had something to say. The truth was that she liked going to the shops with her mother, and finding something adorable to buy. She liked attending balls and dances, and loved tea and gossip when people came calling. Although she had a feeling that these mundane pleasures would not impress Sofia Schonberg. “And what kind of architecture do you like?”
“You are familiar with Georg Hirst? Yes? I very much like his modernist ideas.”
Clemmie had no idea what Sofia was talking about, but her passion was undeniable. “I’m not a student of architecture, I’m afraid.”
“It is moving away from the old, embracing new lines. Light forms and natural curves. It is very exciting. Not the old, heavy stone and somber wood. It is bright and lifts the soul.”
In truth, Clemmie had never paid that much attention to buildings. Had certainly not seen the need for natural curves, whatever that meant. “That sounds very exciting,” Clemmie said.
“We are designing a house to build.”
“Oh?”
“We have found land with beautiful nature. We will build a house in the modern style.”
For a moment, Clemmie wondered if she had ever met anyone like Sofia Schonberg. She couldn’t imagine what her father would say if she’d decided one day she wanted to study architecture. Or worse, her mother.
“That is very exciting.” Was she repeating herself? Was Oliver impressed by her? Her husband had to be. Now Clemmie felt unaccomplished, but then Sofia was unlike any young woman in Clemmie’s company. Perhaps the Schonbergs were from a very different kind of society. Still, it was interesting to hear.
Chapter 6
HAIRBRUSH IN HAND, CLEMMIE sat staring out the window. From her vantage point, there was nothing to see but sky. Her discussion with Sofia Schonberg was still on her mind. Her perspective was so very different, Clemmie was having a hard time understanding it. There was something very exciting about it. To have such a passion, and for it to be encouraged by her husband.
Right then, she wished she could talk about it with Oliver, who was fast asleep. For all his energy and willingness to be out doing things, he could sleep well into the morning.
He snuffled and then turned his head. “Good morning,” he croaked.
“Morning, sleepyhead. A bright morning awaits.”
Groaning, he shoved his pillow over his head.
“You promised to take me to the outlook today,” she said. “I think midday might be best, when the mist clears. Or they might be clouds. I’m not sure I can tell the difference. I thought,” she started, “that I might walk down to the village and see if I can find an Italian lexicon. Mr. Weber says that a few of the stores have some books for sale.”
Normally, she would assume Oliver would take her down there, but she was suggesting to go on her own. Her conversation with Sofia was pushing her to try to be a little more self-sufficient. Surely if Sofia could study architecture and design their home, Clemmie could manage to buy a book on her own. The road was winding and steep down to the village, but it was something she could manage.
Oliver shifted to lean on his elbow. “If you insist. I should take some time to study whatever maps Mr. Weber has in his library, so I actually know how to reach Venice.” Getting out of bed, he quickly dressed, combed his hair and brushed his teeth. “Then when you come back, I’ll take you up to the lookout, provided the weather holds. I think we should leave early tomorrow. It will be a full day of travel.”
“Of course.” It would be good to have a lexicon to study to pass the time when the view wasn’t engaging. “The Schonbergs are very interesting, aren’t they?”
“Hans said he was going tramping again today, and I was sorry I had to say I couldn’t join him. There is too much to do to prepare for tomorrow. I should check the carriage is fit to travel, and we’ll set off before that countess woman gets incensed enough to steal ours. Both a new wheel and suspension needs to be built for hers. I don’t know where she went to cause that much damage. Do you need money for your book?”
“No, I have some,” she replied, thinking of the money her mother had given her as reserves in case she found herself in need to purchase something.
“Alright. I expect to see you back here for lunch,” he said before walking out.
Although her marriage had come with more freedom, she hadn’t exercised it. Today she would. She would go and seek what she needed, and do so without being watched over, accompanied, or spoken for.
There was no reason to be nervous. She wasn’t going far, and the climb really shouldn’t be beyond her. Sofia Schonberg accompanied her husband on his shorter walks. Clemmie could take herself to the village and back.
Calling the maid, she dressed, today with simpler hair that she had pinned as sturdily as she could. Oliver wasn’t at breakfast, so she ate quickly before seeking him in the library, where he stood by a table, overlooking a large tome with maps.
“I’ll just go down to the village. I’ll be back as quickly as I can,” she said and gave him a kiss. With that, she walked through the lobby and out the door. It was cold and blustery outside, but the weather looked like it was holding. For a moment, she wondered if she should
