My aunt frowned. “But marriage is unthinkable if she does not have a proper wardrobe! I must take Kitty to my favorite modistes.”
Grandfather scooped up a jiggling bit of yolk. “I have no doubt you will arrange an excellent trousseau for Katherine when we arrive in London. Surely you can find a local seamstress in the meantime.”
London. At long last, I would be free of this country confine, but at what cost?
My aunt’s voice dimmed while a memory captured my attention, faint but stubborn—the image of a chubby-cheeked boy sneering at me.
He had sat beside me at Grandfather’s table years ago, the young heir from India, complaining of England’s bland fare as though the cook had personally insulted him.
“You’ll get used to it,” I’d said primly. It had burned me that he acted as though he knew more about my homeland than I did.
“I shan’t. India is the only place worth living.”
“Then why did you leave it?” I had challenged.
His grin had been quick and wicked. “To meetyou, apparently.”
Then he had tugged one of my curls.
Before I could stop myself, my palm met his cheek with a crack that silenced the table. He’d gaped—then, to my astonishment, laughed.
I shook off the memory and lifted my chin. “I shall do no such thing. I’d sooner wed the stuffed peacock from your trophy wall. He would at least preen less than the Sinclair I remember.”
“Shocking insolence,” Aunt Clarice declared with round eyes. “Imagine refusing the Sinclair family!”
Grandfather arched a grizzled eyebrow at my show of defiance. “You will not find a better match in all of London or all the continent. Sebastian will eventually sit on the board of directors of the East India Company. You cannot discount power like that, my girl. Real power.”
I refused to be deterred by their reactions. “Why can I not find another match, one just as suitable in rank? Perhaps your Sebastian will also feel differently when he crosses onto the English shore and takes a look at me.”
“He will be pleased with you, I’m certain,” Grandfather countered as he studied me. “You appear very much like your father, and for that I am grateful.”
My fists balled as rage simmered through me. It was true I took after the auburn-haired James Grenville while my brother resembled our beautiful mother. We were treated very differently by Grandfather because of it.
He continued, oblivious to my discomfort over such a remark. “I do not want you embarrassing our family with these childish moods of yours. I have enough to deal with concerning Edward failing his classes at Cambridge and gallivanting about London with a wild set. No, child, you do not want to be presented in court, nor do you need to be exposed to the futile gossip of cackling hens.”
Child.I swallowed back a retort.
Why would I embarrass him? Hadn’t I worked with a dancing tutor and accomplished everything Aunt Clarice set out before me?
I sucked in a sharp breath as I reconsidered his words, the meaning piercing through me until my fingers trembled.There... it was.The subtle reminder that I would never be truly English enough, that I would somehow bring humiliation to the sterling Grenville reputation. I would never be good enough for the esteemed Almack’s society simply because of my hidden name tied to monsoons and a way of life the English didn’t cherish.
But I was the daughter of a princess. Why should I be ashamed of my heritage? Had I not changed enough of myself to please him?
“Iwillhave a say in the matter,” I protested.
“No, you will not. I’ve allowed you a great deal of freedom, to the point that you’ve trotted around the countryside with that telescope in hand. I can take the telescope away. I bought it for you, after all. I can take all of your astronomy and every single privilege away until you come to your senses. You think I will continue to allow you to slip away to the local school to feed Miss Tippens’s addlebrained girls with silly notions that they can become anything other than wives or mothers? You would do well to remember that your duty is to marry whomever I choose.” The meager warmth flickering in his eyes had chilled considerably.
I stared at him, my cheeks burning. “I daresay there isn’t much left that you can steal from me.” As if to agree with my anger, the wind moaned against the windows of the dining room—a shrieking sound I had never quite grown accustomed to.
Aunt no longer met my gaze, fiddling instead with her fork. She usually grew silent when Grandfather turned into iron.
We finished breakfast in silence, Grandfather lost in his thoughts. I frantically debated how to best reclaim my freedom. Aunt Clarice complained about the weather when another gust flung sleet at the windows.
At length, Grandfather spoke again, albeit softer.
“Katherine, remember this—our family has a long and proud history. You are aGrenville, and that means something. I won’t see you paired with any fortune hunter or sporting dandy who comes your way.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, his words echoing in my mind as I rose from my chair and hurried out of the room before I burst into tears.
