not, despite her foolish daydreams,” Aelwyd snapped, turning away from her
sister, and bestowing her full attention on their host. “This champagne is
delightful, Lord Cranbourne. I have only enjoyed the beverage once, when my
husband and I were invited to dinner at court. ‘Tis a most refreshing spirit.”
They went on
to discuss the many new fashions of the court of Charles II, the French
influence, and the gossip about the new Queen, Catherine of Braganza. When they
finished the main course of turkey stuffed with sage and onion, served with a
side of red cabbage and chestnuts, Cranbourne suggested they retire to the
small parlor for dessert and coffee. In the parlor, Aelwyd immediately
challenged Lord Cranbourne to a game of Ticktack.
Catlin
wandered across the room to gaze out the mullioned windows, even though
darkness had fallen outside. Griffin joined her, both hands holding flutes of
champagne.
She
hesitated when he offered her a glass filled with the bubbly wine. She glanced
uneasily toward her sister who was absorbed by the game she played. Aelwyd was
a habitual gambler and could not resist the offer to play against the wealthy
Lord.
Catlin
accepted the glass and whispered her thanks. Griffin indicated a small settee
near the fireplace, inviting her to sit with him.
“I'm
interested in hearing more of your opinions regarding Virginia,” he said as he
settled upon the damask cushion next to her. “It appears you have undertaken a
study of the subject which quite frankly surprises me. I don’t find many women
interested in reading, much less researching the settlements in the New World.”
Catlin
squirmed uncomfortably. She and her sisters had frequently been accused of
being over-educated for their sex. Her mother had been adamant regarding the
subject and had insisted tutors in all the classic subjects be hired to school
her daughters. Was Griffin serious or jesting?
“When we
lived at home, at Llithfaen , we had a great deal of time to read and
study. Our parents encouraged us and the priest found us to be apt pupils in
Latin and Greek.” She peeked up at Aelwyd, who was engrossed in her game with
Lord Cranbourne. “My sister is especially adept at mathematics, and my youngest
sister has shown great promise in her study of the natural sciences.”
“I tend to
agree with your parents. To waste a woman’s mind on embroidery and gossip is a
crime. Please tell me more.” He leaned back in the settee and took a sip of his
champagne.
“My father
was a baron. We grew up knowing little about the outside world except what we
read in books.” She laughed lightly, which earned her an angry scowl from
across the room as Aelwyd was momentarily distracted from her card game.
Catlin tried
to assume a more prim and proper demeanor as she continued her tale. Griffin seemed
genuinely interested.
“Like your
family, Father found it necessary to support the Parliamentarians when Cromwell
seized power, and because we lived so far from all the turmoil of the Civil
War, we thought we were safe.” She paused as tears pricked at the backs of her
eyes. “But in such times, no one is truly safe, are they?” she whispered,
trying to gain control of her emotions as she recalled all that had been lost
to her family.
“Were your
lands forfeited because your father was a Royalist?”
Catlin
leaned forward, warmed by his interest. “No, but after my mother died, my
father lost interest in the world. He spent all of his time in his chambers
conducting a study of alchemy.” She took a deep breath and reminded herself to
be careful about this explanation. It would be dangerous to divulge too much.
“And then he died, unexpectedly. We discovered another man coveted our lands.”
She watched her sister. Aelwyd was absorbed in her game and oblivious to them.
“And so he
offered to marry one of you in order to gain control of your lands, is that
what happened?” Griffin asked.
Catlin
nodded her head. “Not just
sister, and bestowing her full attention on their host. “This champagne is
delightful, Lord Cranbourne. I have only enjoyed the beverage once, when my
husband and I were invited to dinner at court. ‘Tis a most refreshing spirit.”
They went on
to discuss the many new fashions of the court of Charles II, the French
influence, and the gossip about the new Queen, Catherine of Braganza. When they
finished the main course of turkey stuffed with sage and onion, served with a
side of red cabbage and chestnuts, Cranbourne suggested they retire to the
small parlor for dessert and coffee. In the parlor, Aelwyd immediately
challenged Lord Cranbourne to a game of Ticktack.
Catlin
wandered across the room to gaze out the mullioned windows, even though
darkness had fallen outside. Griffin joined her, both hands holding flutes of
champagne.
She
hesitated when he offered her a glass filled with the bubbly wine. She glanced
uneasily toward her sister who was absorbed by the game she played. Aelwyd was
a habitual gambler and could not resist the offer to play against the wealthy
Lord.
Catlin
accepted the glass and whispered her thanks. Griffin indicated a small settee
near the fireplace, inviting her to sit with him.
“I'm
interested in hearing more of your opinions regarding Virginia,” he said as he
settled upon the damask cushion next to her. “It appears you have undertaken a
study of the subject which quite frankly surprises me. I don’t find many women
interested in reading, much less researching the settlements in the New World.”
Catlin
squirmed uncomfortably. She and her sisters had frequently been accused of
being over-educated for their sex. Her mother had been adamant regarding the
subject and had insisted tutors in all the classic subjects be hired to school
her daughters. Was Griffin serious or jesting?
“When we
lived at home, at Llithfaen , we had a great deal of time to read and
study. Our parents encouraged us and the priest found us to be apt pupils in
Latin and Greek.” She peeked up at Aelwyd, who was engrossed in her game with
Lord Cranbourne. “My sister is especially adept at mathematics, and my youngest
sister has shown great promise in her study of the natural sciences.”
“I tend to
agree with your parents. To waste a woman’s mind on embroidery and gossip is a
crime. Please tell me more.” He leaned back in the settee and took a sip of his
champagne.
“My father
was a baron. We grew up knowing little about the outside world except what we
read in books.” She laughed lightly, which earned her an angry scowl from
across the room as Aelwyd was momentarily distracted from her card game.
Catlin tried
to assume a more prim and proper demeanor as she continued her tale. Griffin seemed
genuinely interested.
“Like your
family, Father found it necessary to support the Parliamentarians when Cromwell
seized power, and because we lived so far from all the turmoil of the Civil
War, we thought we were safe.” She paused as tears pricked at the backs of her
eyes. “But in such times, no one is truly safe, are they?” she whispered,
trying to gain control of her emotions as she recalled all that had been lost
to her family.
“Were your
lands forfeited because your father was a Royalist?”
Catlin
leaned forward, warmed by his interest. “No, but after my mother died, my
father lost interest in the world. He spent all of his time in his chambers
conducting a study of alchemy.” She took a deep breath and reminded herself to
be careful about this explanation. It would be dangerous to divulge too much.
“And then he died, unexpectedly. We discovered another man coveted our lands.”
She watched her sister. Aelwyd was absorbed in her game and oblivious to them.
“And so he
offered to marry one of you in order to gain control of your lands, is that
what happened?” Griffin asked.
Catlin
nodded her head. “Not just
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