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“Anne’s been helping me with my charity. We received recognition from his majesty this past week,” my mother, Eloise DeBois York, said in a neutral tone, but the pride was clear in her voice.
Grandmother made a sound that showed she couldn’t find anything lacking in the information. That alone was an accomplishment.
“And what about you, Spencer?” Grandmother stopped in front of me. “Do you have anything to report?”
I suppressed the urge to shrug and shove my hands in my pockets. “There’s interest in my show from Broadway.”
Grandmother’s expression remained unchanged. “Is that so? We’ll talk about this later.”
The tone in her voice was ominous, and a sense of dread fell over me.
Grandmother’s attention turned to my younger sister, Gabriella, who had been waiting patiently for her turn. Gabriella was the youngest adult in the family, six years younger than Anne and me. Her hair was a luxurious, dark brown that flowed down her shoulders in soft waves, like a waterfall of chocolate, contrasting with her fair skin. Her eyes were the same brilliant blue as mine, shining like sapphires against her delicate features.
“I assume you’re still studying?” Grandmother asked Gabriella.
“Yes, I am,” Gabriella answered calmly. “And I’m doing very well. I’m at the top of my class.”
“I sure hope you’re not planning to follow in Anne’s footsteps for not carrying on the family name?” Grandmother asked with a wry smile.
The sound of quick footsteps echoing down the stairs cut off Gabriella’s response. We all knew who was coming.
My older sister’s husband, Parker Linden, must have caught Jane as she reached the bottom of the stairs, because he appeared a minute later, holding a happy little girl. His already-red face darkened when he saw Grandmother’s disapproving expression.
“Hello, Grandmother,” Parker greeted her.
As expected, Grandmother ignored Parker and took my father’s arm. “Let’s go have dinner, shall we?”
The rest of us followed as they headed towards the dining room.
“Is your show really going to be on Broadway?” Gabriella whispered, her voice full of excitement as she and I walked at the back of the group.
“Maybe,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I got a call from an old chum in America who wants me to come to New York.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s fantastic!” Gabriella said, squeezing my arm.
Although Gabriella wasn’t particularly interested in the theater, she’s always been my biggest supporter, just as I was for her.
As we settled at the dining room table, the children were taken to the kitchen by the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, following Grandmother’s outdated belief that children should dine separately.
We chatted politely over the meal, but after finishing the main course, Grandmother focused her attention on me.
“Spencer, I’ve decided that you will accompany your father to all events that require his presence this year,” Grandmother declared. “It’s time to prepare you for your position as head of the family one day.”
I could feel the tension building in my chest, knowing this would not go well. I braced myself to speak my mind.
“I’m sorry, Grandmother, but I won’t be able to do that,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.
The room fell silent, and I could feel the pressure of everyone’s eyes on me.
“And why, may I ask, would that be the case?” Grandmother’s voice was icy, and I could see her frustration clearly on her face.
“I’m leaving for New York next week, and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” I replied.
Grandmother’s eyes narrowed, and I sensed her disapproval radiating towards me. “You’re thirty years old, Spencer York. It’s time for you to take on the responsibilities of your family name.”
It was the type of statement that made me feel like I was back in boarding school, being scolded by the headmaster.
“I’m not neglecting my responsibilities, Grandmother,” I said, struggling to keep my voice level. “I’ve already made plans with a friend from New York about my show. The Broadway possibility I mentioned earlier.”
