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“My love—”
“Again, with the books?” my mother interrupted him to say.
“They are mere children’s tales.” He sought to brush off the matter.
“Tales in which she shall be engrossed all night, leaving her looking as if she were daft or addlepated come sunrise.”
“Mama! I have only just arrived and have yet to read even a single page. Must you be so severe?” I exclaimed.
“Yes. As your mother, it is my duty, for tomorrow is far too important.” She stepped closer to me, cupping my cheek. “Welcome my dear. There is so much to prepare.”
“I was under the impression that the preparation was for Hathor?” My father sought only to save me and was rewarded with a harsh glare from my mother, which made him pull Hector in front of himself as though the boy were his shield.
As I grew older, I learned that the relationship between my parents was anything but conventional. Most husbands I had observed sought to avoid arguments with their wives. Father seemed to revel in battling with Mother, though he had yet to land a victory in their nearly thirty years of marriage. I could not fathom why it brought him such joy to annoy and tease her. But it did.
“The preparations for Hathor have long since concluded. Now I must focus my attention on this one.” She lifted my chin with the edge of her finger, examining my face. “You have indulged in cakes.”
“I have not!” I lied.
“She shall ruin me!” My sister Hathor stood at the very center of the stairs, her shoulders slouched, messy brown curls now beautifully styled and full of blue ribbons. “Mama, Papa, send her back. This is meant to be my season! Who is going to call upon me when she is here, looking as she does? If this is her after a long journey, imagine the uproar she will cause well rested.”
“She shall be the most handsome in the ton, and you shall be utterly forgotten.” Abena, my youngest sister, giggled as she skipped down the stairs, hand in hand with our other sister Devana, whose blonde curls bounced freely on her way to me.
Of us all, Devana was the only one with white skin, blue eyes, and golden hair, taking after Father as completely as Damon and I had taken after our mother. Hector, Hathor, and Abena were different degrees between them, though Hathor’s eyes were more the color of honey.
“What have I told you?” our mother replied, turning to my sister. “Beauty is magnified when surrounded by beauty. Now come here and welcome your sister.”
Hathor glowered, marching down as if she were going to meet an archenemy and not her sister. “Odite,” she said to me.
“Hathor,” I replied in turn.
We stared each other down.
“Would it have been such a burden for you to eat more cake?” She pouted.
“Even if I were to become as round as a pig, I doubt that would hinder the loveliness of my appearance,” I jested.
She spun around to shriek. “Send her back at once!”
I laughed and hugged her, kissing her cheek. “I have missed you, sister, and from your numerous missives, I am well aware you have missed me, too. Even if you should not admit it.”
“I know not what you mean. I merely sought to keep you informed of the ton should you be bored.”
“Should anyone wonder, let it be known that Devana is my favorite sibling!” spoke Damon at the door. Devana was two years older than Hector and was at Damon’s arm already. “For she seems to be the only one who has noticed I am here.”
“Aphrodite, who is this strange fellow yapping at my door?” my father questioned, his eyes squinted, causing us all to laugh.
“Good afternoon to you, my lord.” Damon sighed heavily as he handed his coat to the butler. “It is only I, Damon Du Bell, Earl of Montagu, your first son and heir.”
Our father glanced down at Hector, who still stood before him as a shield. “Did you know of this?”
Hector laughed and nodded. “Yes, Father.”
“Strange. Very strange,” my father said with humor.
Damon did not say another word to our father, for it would only add to his antics. Instead, he approached our mother, hugging her. When he stepped back, Silva advanced only to curtsy. “Your ladyship.”
“Come now. Such formalities are not needed among family.” Our mother gently placed her hand on Silva’s cheek. “You both are welcome.”
