Could be an older brother of Vera (Vera herself is the fourth of seven, so he could be 1-3 and it's open if he's the first boy or not). Surname open would finally give a maiden name to Vera. Any abuse would not be outwardly public. Vera might know? He'd have been named by a naming seer, and mother-in-law would be fairly opinionated if 'Her' ends up not going that route.