"Magnus," she whispered. "Magnus Carrington was my husband... the son, not the father... I am... was... a courtesan who worked in his brothel." She pinched the silk between two fingers and lifted it before another word was said. She was quiet for a moment as she let him either register this bit of information or look at her blankly. She hoped for the latter, for it seemed like everyone knew. "And people don't tend to miss soiled doves like me, signor. They spit on people like me." Her brow lifted. "Added to that, I have no family claiming me as their kin that I know of."

She pulled the one stocking onto a foot, not deliberate in her movements for there was no seduction intended toward the fellow. Sonia then pulled the other stocking on, deciding to hook it to the garters when he was not in sight of her anymore.