But apparently I had grossly overestimated even my low accounting of his father’s generosity. Of course he would not have kept me all these years without reason. Of course Madame Frankenstein’s dependence on my help with Victor was not justification enough.

“Has there always been money?” My voice was meek out of long practice. If I had known—if I had been aware that at the age of twenty-one I would be secure on my own, without needing anyone else—

What would it have changed?

Judge Frankenstein ripped a leg off the whole roast chicken before us, tearing some of the meat away with his teeth and then wiping the grease from his mustache. “No. Only the potential for it. I have spent many years in a legal battle with the Austrians who seized your father’s estate. It was not easy to secure your inheritance, even after your father died in prison. All my trips abroad were to appeal your case in person. But this has happened just in time. I nearly had to rent out this house—imagine, me! A grasping landlord! My father already sold off much of the land, and I could barely squeeze more money from what remained. Now that you are part of the family, your husband will take charge of your finances. And you can begin to repay our years of kindness.”

“Father,” Victor said, distaste dripping in his voice, “if it is Elizabeth’s fortune, she can discharge it however she sees fit.”

I reached over and gripped his hand. Now Judge Frankenstein’s true reason for being so graciously joyful over my return was obvious. He did not care about me; he cared about the money my name brought.

Victor had not known. He had never worried about my name or my origins. He had always loved me for myself. All my machinations and manipulations filled me with shame. He had been far truer to me than I had been to him. I had wanted him because he kept me safe. But he had wanted me only because I was his Elizabeth.

I looked up with tears in my eyes. “I love you, Victor Frankenstein.”

He brushed my cheek and then kissed the spot where he had cleared a tear. “Of course you do. And I love you, Elizabeth Frankenstein.”

It was the first time the name had been mine. It did not feel the way I thought it would. But nothing that day had.

Victor cleared his throat. “I do not relish the thought of spending our honeymoon here. And in a stroke of luck, we have just been given a villa on Lake Como as a wedding gift! Imagine how much space we will have. How much privacy.” Victor directed me up from the chair. “Go pack your things, my wife. We need some time away from these walls.”

Judge Frankenstein stood, his face purpling with anger to match his wine. “We need to discuss the finances.”