Beast's Gift: Fantasy

"Thank you, husband!" she exclaimed, taking the delicately wrapped gift from him. He smiled, then gestured to all the porters behind him to bring in the goods that he had traded for. "It was a good trip, wife," he said, "our fortunes grow and prosper." He didn't see the quick turn aside that she made at the mention of his trip. To him, it was inevitable that they should part and go their separate ways for nine months out of the year--or sometimes even longer--as he plied his trade overseas and later brought home the results of his trading to fill the family coffers and to dress her and keep her in the manner that she deserved. They had--

Inspiration: Drinking tea *my* husband brought me as a gift, and pondering on how men are so pleased when they successfully hunt/gather something their woman likes.
Story Potential: High
Notes: She's without male company most of the year. It would be an interesting thing to take Beauty & the Beast and Persephone & Hades--but with the wife instead of a daughter. Of course, she probably has daughters, or other children. A woman settling reluctantly into middle age, perhaps. And with Italian influences, I think, though I'm not sure why.