Lost Roses: A Novel

It is 1918, and Sofya has traveled to the first home she shared with Afon, where his last letter indicated he might go. She reflects on her difficult journey, during which she traded her possessions for food and warmer clothing and survived on wild plants. One night while Sofya sleeps in a barn, a man comes in and tries to steal her horse. She accosts him and asks for news about the tsar; he tells her the family has all been executed. When the man tries to attack her, Sofya shoots him. Soon after, she arrives at her village and goes into a familiar apothecary; the owner and his wife greet Sofya warmly. They give her tea and she requests molasses and vinegar to care for her rose. They tell her Afon came to visit, and they heard rumors that he and his officers were all killed. Sofya continues her journey to Paris.

In Paris, Varinka, her mother, and Max visit an exclusive Lanvin shop. The sales associate is rude and dismissive, but Varinka’s mother shows the woman some of her needlework designs and critiques the clothes on display.