Marjorie’s eyes lit up. “But that’s easy!”
“Do not worry,” Kuni assured her dryly. “The rest of the words won’t be.”
An hour passed in a blur of English and Balcovian and sign language.
Kuni hadn’t known it was possible to spend happy moments indoors at home like this, until the Wynchesters welcomed her into their circle. They made her feel like a unique and whole person in a way she never had with her own family. The way Kuni longed to be welcomed into the Royal Guard by her brothers.
“So,” Marjorie said as she swiped her brush across the canvas. “You and Graham…”
Kuni almost choked. “No,” she protested quickly. “Nothing scandalous is happening.”
Mostly not. Hemighthave kissed her, and shewouldhave kissed him, had the butler not spoiled the moment. And shehadlain on top of him in the garden, then allowed him to do the same to her. But mutual interest did not imply more than a temporary flirtation. This would lead nowhere.
“Why not?” Marjorie crossed her arms. “Is something wrong with Graham?”
“Nothing at all,” Kuni said with feeling. “But I return home in four weeks and he will remain here. There is no sense starting an affair that cannot last.”
“So you’ve thought about it.” Marjorie turned and daubed paint against the canvas. “Interesting.”
“No—I mean—” Kuni took a deep breath. “I might marry one day, but it will be to a fellow Royal Guardsman, who keeps similar hours and sleeps in the same barracks.”
“I never mentioned marriage,” Marjorie said. “More and more interesting.”
“No…I…”Must change the subject at once.“I want the next generation of girls like me to be able to follow in my footsteps,” Kuni babbled. “Balcovia is very forward-thinking in many ways, but the sexes have not reached parity. Once I’m a Royal Guardswoman, that will change forever.”
“Mm-hmm,” said Marjorie. “So when I ask about my brother, your first two thoughts are marriage and children.”
“No—” Kuni tried again. “Those are the first two thoughts put in every Balcovian female’s head. The only thoughts we’re instructed to have. In my specific case, my brothers expect me to toss my wooden shoe after an actual royal.”
“Because they are proud of you?”
“Because they would be done with their duty,” Kuni replied flatly. “If I outrank them, they could wash their hands of me. They wouldn’t think me important unless I were a princess…or become their equal.”
“Which is why you want to be a Royal Guardswoman? So that your brothers are forced to acknowledge and respect you?”
“No,” Kuni said automatically. “The Royal Guard is Balcovia’s most elite, noble, and prestigious—”
“But mostly because of your brothers, right?” Marjorie added a flourish to the canvas. “How certain are you this plan will work? I don’t mean becoming a Guardswoman. If you want to be one, I’m certain that you will. But will it do the trick?”
“Do you mean, will my brothers see me as an equal or just their sister in a costume?” Kuni asked tightly.
When thekingfound her worthy, everyone would have to respect her. Even her own family. Besides, there was no longer anyone’s attention to fight over. Mother had died long before. Father, three short years ago. He had been alive to see Floris and Reinald achieve their rank. Her brothers had nothing to prove anymore. It was Kuni who had not been given the same opportunities and support. After she did it anyway, making the Royal Guard all on her own, Floris and Reinald would be forced not just to acknowledge her talent, but also the potential of all the other aspiring Guardswomen. The de Heusch legacy would double overnight.
“What about you?” Kuni asked. “You’re not following the usual path, either. You are how old and unmarried?”
“Almost thirty,” Marjorie said with pride. “I willneverget a vaunted Almack’s voucher.”
“What,” Kuni asked, “is an Almack?”
“An exceedingly boring place where everyone always does exactly what’s expected of them. It has more rules and traditions than your Royal Guard.”
“I shall take pride in undertaking my noble task day after day,” Kuni said stiffly. “I can think of no better future than one spent dedicated to guarding the princess, as I have promised.”
“Can you not?” Marjorie swirled her paintbrush in turpentine. “I wonder.”
18
Because Graham and his brother sat in the carriage facing backward, he could not watch their approach into Islington without twisting around and craning his neck. He attempted neither. Graham already received sufficient teasing from his siblings about his fear of missing something interesting…and the implication that who he was missing was Kunigunde.
