Chapter 8 - Birthday (1/2)

Debutante practice continued—I had to present myself before the king and queen, after all, and the countess would stand for no shame to her house from me—until my sixteenth birthday arrived. We were set to begin our journey to the capital three days later.

I didn't have any real friends here outside my siblings so I requested a simple birthday tea that was family only.

The countess was disappointed since she loved social occasions but eventually agreed to my request since I'd been so compliant in my training. Little did she know, I had plans in the capital that did not include getting married.

I had saved up every cent of the household allowance I'd been given since arriving and planned to strike out on my own. I liked my siblings, I really did, but staying in contact with them was not worth potentially destroying my life.

I'd come to that conclusion in the days following my conversation with Percy that day in the stables. He might think things would be okay but I certainly didn't, especially after giving time for my thoughts to run wild!

My only choice was to run. I could cut my hair and find some menial job in the capital. Maybe in a bookstore or clothing shop. My embroidery wasn't half bad, if I do say so myself.

I wanted this birthday tea to be one last positive memory before I left. Edmund even requested leave from school to be there. We played card games that were quite different from the ones I knew after the earl and countess lost interest in us under the guise of ”having duties to attend to.”

I was fine with this; things were better off without them there to spoil the mood. I had cake and I had friends. That was more than I'd had for the past several years of birthdays.

Being sick so often, you don't exactly leave the house enough to meet people, let alone form lasting friendsh.i.p.s. Abby would video chat me and we'd watch a movie together but it wasn't the same as having someone physically be there to celebrate with you.

I always bought myself a giant cupcake at the grocery store and stuck a candle on it. I was that pathetic. Now I had three people celebrating with me and I felt the full cheer an occasion like a birthday was supposed to bring.

Adele was staying behind with Marie since the countess had too many social obligations to want to be bothered with her youngest child while in the capital and Edmund was heading back to school.

This very well might be the last time I ever see the two of them. It brought on an unexpected amount of grief.

”Addie?” I asked softly as she dozed off in my lap.

The boys were still engrossed in a game of cards I didn't fully understand so I was happy to sit here and stroke her silky dark blonde hair.

”Mm?” she asked sleepily.

”Your big sister loves you so much,” I said thickly.

I was sure of it. Wherever that Catherine was, she loved her too.

”I love you too, Katie,” she said as she snuggled closer to me.