Her tone held such significance that Rosanna couldn’t pretend she didn’t understand the meaning.
“Mama,” she murmured with a hint of warning.
Stopping her daughters just inside the ballroom, Mama stood before them like a captain doling out his orders for the battle to come. “You must be certain to dance two sets with your Mr. Tate—”
“Mama!” hissed Rosanna, her eyes flying about, though there was little point, as Mama’s words had carried wide. Lifting her voice just enough for those same prying ears to hear, Rosanna said, “I am not courting Mr. Tate. He is not ‘mine,’ and I do not appreciate your saying such a thing.”
But the lady flicked her hand aside as though batting away Rosanna’s all too rational words.
“Francis, you must come with me,” said Mama. “You look lovely tonight, and there is a gentleman I wish for you to dance with.”
With a furrowed brow, the lady’s eyes landed on Katherine, who gazed back at her with a lift of her chin. “But I have no idea what to do with you, young lady. Must you wear those dreadful spectacles?”
“If I wish to see,” replied Katherine in a dry tone.
“What does it matter if no one wishes to see you?” The question was asked with such genuine puzzlement, giving Mama’s words even more sting.
“Mama, please. That is unkind,” said Rosanna.
Straightening, the lady turned wide eyes to her. “But it is the truth.”
Katherine didn’t bother saying a word; she merely turned away, and Mama took Francis by the arm, leading her off whilst cooing over the girl’s choices in ribbons and lace.
Staring after Katherine, Rosanna wondered what she ought to do. What was there to say at such a moment? The young lady marched away with her chin held high, and Rosanna longed for some words of comfort—but despite Katherine being the next youngest sister younger, there were seven years between the two of them. Not an insurmountable gap, but enough of one that friendship wasn’t natural between the pair.
But surely this was a good moment to attempt to build something better. Mr. Tate had said that her gift was helping people, after all.
Not allowing doubt to hold her captive, Rosanna followed after, calling for Katherine to slow. She didn’t. Thankfully, Rosanna was more determined to catch her than her sister was to escape, and quick enough, Rosanna drew up beside her. Taking Katherine by the arm, she gave the young lady a bright smile.
“How would you feel about taking a turn about the room with me?” Despite her prodding Katherine forward, her sister remained where she was, watching Rosanna with a furrowed brow. “I had thought we could spend the evening together.”
“With me?”
With a grin, she nodded. “Of course with you, dearest.”
But Katherine’s eyebrows drew tighter together. “I had planned on playing a bit in the tearoom. Mr. Seward assured me the piano has been tuned. It sounded dreadful during the last assembly.”
Rosanna didn’t let her bright expression falter, though her lips threatened to pull into a grimace: the instrument hadn’t been the problem. “That is wonderful, but wouldn’t you rather join me? Tonight promises to be magnificent, and it would be such a shame for you to hide away in the tearoom.”
“I enjoy playing,” said Katherine.
“And that is splendid,” Rosanna paused for a moment as she searched for some deterrent to give, “but we shall have such fun together. I can introduce you around, and we can spend the evening doing something far better than plunking away on that old piano.”
She laughed and nudged her sister towards the gathering, but Katherine didn’t budge.
“I know I embarrass you and the rest of the family, but I enjoy playing.” Katherine’s tone was both quiet and cold, her eyes narrowing as she watched Rosanna.
“I—”
But before Rosanna could defend herself (though she knew not what defense she would give), Katherine continued.
“Do you wish to take my glasses, as well? Drape me in lace and frills? I’ll look ridiculous and be blind to the world, but at least I wouldn’t be such a blight on the family.” Yanking free, Katherine stormed away, and Rosanna’s shock held her in place for only a moment before she followed.
“Katherine, please. You are putting words in my mouth. I—”
She paused once more, facing Rosanna with a hard look. “Do you think I am ignorant of what you all think of me? The entire family has made their opinions quite clear with every grimace and sigh. I may require spectacles, but I am not blind. And it is not lost on me that you are only reaching out to me with the hand of sisterhood now that your dear Prudence is otherwise occupied. Until now, you haven’t cared about me in the slightest.”
Turning, Katherine strode away, calling over her shoulder, “My thanks, but I must decline.”
