"That I'm friends with him."
Kathryn laughs."What does it matter what I say?You're going to do what you want to do."
"You make me sound unreasonable."
"You're not," she assures me."But you're very sure of yourself.I envy you for that."
I frown and look down at my book."I don't feel very sure of myself.Sometimes, I can't even understand my own emotions.Veronica has to help me."
"I don't think it's that you don't understand your own emotions, it's that you don't have names for them.And you're not the only one who feels that way.I've had moments like that.I think most people do," she says.
"I feel like that more than most."
"How many people's inner thoughts are you aware of?"Kathyrn asks.
"Only my own, how would I hear anyone else's?"
"Precisely.You're only aware of your own experience of life.Others are dealing with the same things you are, even if you don't know it."She coughs a couple of times and presses her hand against her chest."Sorry."She picks up her glass and takes a sip of water.
"You should add honey and lemon to hot water," I say."It will help your throat."
She raises an eyebrow."How would you know that?"
"Betsy told me about it the last time I had a cough," I respond."I think one of the servants who came to Falhaven with Solana told her about it."I look over to where my brother's wife is still doing her embroidery and looking like the perfect princess.No doubt that's the kind of person Mama wants me to marry.
"Is something bothering you?"Kathryn asks.
"No, why would it be?"I lie.
"Because you just looked at Solana and Artie and let out a sigh."
"Oh.I didn't realise I did that."I pull my attention away and look around to make sure that no one is paying attention to us."Mama has taken it upon herself to insist that I start considering suitors."
"Ah.I'm not surprised."
"You're not?"
"She started doing the same for me when I turned twenty-five," Kathryn responds.
"She did?But you're not married."
"Yes, Evie, I am aware of that.I haven't found anyone that I want to marry.Mama's not going to force you.All you have to do is talk to the people she's suggesting, and spend more time with one of them if they do catch your attention."
"And if they don't?"
"Then Mama will keep trying," she responds."But she won't force you to go to the temple and go through the ceremony, that's going to be your choice.But I would expect a lot more visits from nobles like this one."She gestures over to where Veronica and the Gaullessian guests are playing cards.
"They're here to be suitors to you?"I blurt out.
"I'm not entirely sure if that was Mama's original plan.I would say that the Comte d'Orrivier was certainly meant to be a suitor for me.The Duchesse might have been aimed at Veronica.Or even if she wasn't, Veronica is the one who has her attention."She drinks some more of her water.
"I had no idea."
"It isn't the kind of thing we've talked about before," Kathryn points out.
"I'm sorry for not noticing."
"It wasn't for you to notice, Evie."She smiles at me."But I can tell you the kind of thing to say to keep Mama happy.She won't stop suggesting suitors, but at least it'll help."
