Staring out the window, Kittie watched Mr Whitman leave the house. His lesson with Henry was over and she had not been able to listen to any of it. Certainly, Richard would not be willing to allow her any chance to actually be involved or learn anything from Mr Whitman, but she couldn’t help dreaming.
One day, she hoped, there would be an opportunity to grow in her own knowledge, to understand and appreciate the things that men learned. It wasn’t fair that Henry got to grow in this area, but she never would. All she wanted was to sit in on the lessons and learn as well.
There was a knock at her door and Kittie rushed to open it.
“Dinner is served, my lady,” the maid said with a curtsey.
“Thank you. I shall be right down,” she said, having to let go of her frustration and distraction.
Kittie made her way down the stairs and to the dining room where Henry was already seated, a light expression on his face.
“How was it?” she asked him in a whisper, her eyes bright with wonder.
“The lesson?”
“Yes, the lesson,” she said.
“It was…unexpected. I had no idea that Latin could actually allow me to say things I normally would not,” he said.
“Is that so? I am very curious to know how. What is it about Latin that allowed you to say something different than in English?” she asked, full of wonder.
“Honestly, I think it had very little to do with the language and much more to do with Mr Whitman. He is unusual. There is something about him that makes me want to be more honest about what I think,” he said with a laugh.
Kittie didn’t understand how. It made no sense, but she still found herself curious. If Mr Whitman had helped Henry actually enjoy learning a language, she wanted to know what he had done. And if Henry was, indeed, learning how to speak in Latin and express himself better there, Kittie was desperate to understand what it might take for her to do the same.
Richard entered the dining room and Kittie grew quiet, not wanting him to learn how interested she was in the lessons. He would only be frustrated and tell her that she shouldn’t be thinking about learning the sort of subjects that were better suited to young men. Nevertheless, she was relieved when he struck up a conversation about a trip he needed to take for business purposes.
“Brighton? That sounds wonderful,” Kittie said.
“Yes, I am looking forward to it. You know, I do enjoy my trips in general, but Brighton is a particular favourite. There is something about the air in that city which seems to capture a man,” he said.
Kittie wished she would one day have the chance to travel as well, particularly to a place along the water. She wanted to smell the sea air and hear the birds she had seen depicted only in books. She longed for something more than the expectations Richard placed upon her.
“Anyway, I am looking forward to it. I think I shall rather enjoy it,” he said.
“How long do you plan to stay?” Kittie asked.
“Two weeks,” he said. “Two weeks ought to be enough time to conclude the work I need to sort out.”
Kittie’s eyes widened and she swallowed against her excitement. If Richard was going to be gone for two full weeks, that meant she would have a grand opportunity here at home. It meant that she would be able to set aside her need to obey him at all times, for he would not be around to be obeyed.
It means that she might even be able to sit in on Henry’s lessons. She could learn. It would be the most wonderful opportunity to indulge and enjoy herself, engaging with all the excitement of studying and speaking in other languages and trying to understand one another when they shared thoughts unspoken in English.
Kittie glanced over to Henry and he gave her a sly grin. Richard didn’t see it, much to Kittie’s relief. She and her younger brother had an understanding, and she was glad to know that he would help her while Richard was gone.
“This time, while I am away is also good for the whole family. It will secure new assets for the business and I trust that it is going to open doors to new investors,” Richard continued.
“I am glad to hear that. We know that you work hard for us,” Kittie said, hoping he understood her appreciation.
“Yes, well, it is only right that I should do so,” he said, clearing his throat. Richard had worked so hard to look after Kittie and Henry since their mother and father passed away and, as the eldest brother, he was given far too much responsibility for a young man.
He was never seeking praise for everything he had done, but Kittie was more than happy to offer it. She was grateful that he had looked after her and Henry. Their mother and father had died so unexpectedly, caught in a building fire six years ago. Although the fire had eventually been controlled, they had not made it out alive, having inhaled too much smoke.
Since that tragic day, Richard had taken on the responsibility of raising Henry to be a man of society and Kittie to be a woman ripe for marriage. It had been difficult for him and he had put his own pursuits on hold for their sakes. Now, Kittie was glad to see him striving to find something he enjoyed once more.
“While I am gone, Kittie, I expect you to attend Lady Smith’s ball,” Richard said.
All at once, her spirits sunk. She had no desire to attend the ball. More than likely, the entire event would centre around Jane trying to find a husband and, while Kittie was happy to go along with her, it would ultimately end with everything urging Kittie to do the same.
“Must I?” she asked.
“Of course, you must. This is not a discussion, Kittie. You know as well as I do that it is important for you to be active in society. You must participate with the others and show what a tremendous young woman you are. Do not suggest that you miss it, simply because you fear that you will not enjoy it. I have no doubt that you will have a splendid time. And you must not take any books with you,” he said, adding the final part as a warning.
“But you do not even understand my reasons for not wishing to go. Please, Richard. Just allow me to miss this one. You will not be there, and it would be improper for me to go alone,” she said, trying to reason with him in terms he might be willing to hear.
But Richard scoffed and shook his head.
“You will not manipulate me, Kittie. You are going with Jane and Aunt Ida. You must not make it difficult for them, either. I will be very disappointed if, when I return, I am told that you were unsuitable for the occasion. You must make me proud. you must make every effort to hold our family in high honour,” he said.
“Of course,” she replied, sullenly. “I shall do my best. But if you believe that this is important, I trust that you will also understand why I would rather not attend without you.”
“I understand only that you are seeking an excuse to avoid the occasion and that is not something I will allow. You must start making an effort for the sake of our family and for the sake of your future. You deserve to be happy, Kittie, and I know that you will be once you have found a good husband with whom you may start a family,” he said.
“Richard…”
Surprised that Henry was speaking up in the midst of the argument, Kittie and Richard both turned to him. He looked uncomfortable, as though he still wasn’t sure about speaking up.
“I just wanted to say that you should listen to Kittie. She shouldn’t have to attend every ball just because you think it is important for her to find a husband. Are there no other ways she could meet men? Perhaps there are options which would avoid an event she dislikes,” he said.
Kittie was shocked and realised that Henry had, indeed, grown bold after the day of studying with Mr Whitman. She was impressed by her younger brother and was touched that he would be willing to speak out on her behalf. But when she looked back at Richard, it was clear that he would not be swayed, and she simply had to accept that this was a situation that had already been decided.
“Thank you for caring so much for Kittie, Henry. However, she knows, as do you, that these matters are more complicated than we would like. As it is, she must make an effort to impress any gentleman who is willing to pay her any attention. That is simply how it must be, whether we like it or not. Now, I expect the two of you to behave while I am gone,” he said, as though the discussion was final.
Kittie and Henry grew quiet, knowing there was no point in arguing from then onwards. No matter how difficult it would be, Kittie would attend the ball.