“And you thought the best way to piss her off was to ditch your POs and skive off?” I had noticed they seemed distant with each other at Mother’s birthday lunch.
She shrugs. “Got any better ideas?”
“Apologize?”
“Not exactly what I had in mind,” my sister scoffs. “Shit, I knew I should have gone to Claus.”
“Liesel,” I say, brushing her damp hair from her forehead. “No one shouldevergo to Claus for advice.” Her laughter warms me a little. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”
She takes a deep breath, eyes scanning the room, looking anywhere but me. “Please don’t be mad.”
A knock at the door interrupts her, and I call for whoever it is to come in; there’s only a handful of people it could be anyway. My housekeeper enters the room, balancing a tray with steaming mugs on one arm.
“I saw Her Highness’s coat and boots at the door and thought she might like some cocoa. Captain Mercer tells me you could stand a little pick-me-up, too, Your Highness.”
“Bless you, Marta,” I say, accepting my favorite mug from her. It’s one of those heat-activated color-changing ones. When cold, it’s all black with no suggestion of any kind of design, but once hot liquid is added, the Eye of Sauron blooms on the front, wreathed in the Elven script of the One Ring. The effect is kind of lost having it brought to me already changed, but Iappreciate Marta remembering my love for this particular cup.
She hands Liesel a mug that I’m pretty sure is one my sister had left before, white with a peacock on it and the words ‘be-YOU-tiful’ in shimmering script underneath. It’s not one I remember buying, at least.
My sister takes a slow sip and hums her approval. Marta gives us a quick bow and shuts the door quietly behind her.
“Okay. Spill.” I settle back against the pillows and fix Liesel with my best big brother stare.
She takes another long, slow drink of her hot chocolate. I sip my own without breaking eye contact, ready to wait her out.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” she finally breaks. I still say nothing. “It was just a party. You and Claus used to stay out late all the time. Hell, Claus still does.”
I should have Marta bring up the whole pot of cocoa; at this rate, I’ll be finished before I even get around to the telling off part. I’m not near as threatening without the help of a flaming eye on my mug.
“I was at Provencher House. Benedict’s parents are in Malta and he snuck away from school for the weekend. Just a harmless house party, no police involved.” She’s still studiously avoiding my eyes.
“And Mother found out.”
She nods. “But seriously, like I said, it’s not as big a deal as she makes it out to be. And don’t you dare start on me, too,” she adds when my mouth turns down in a tight frown.
“I’m allowed to be concerned. That’s what big brothers do.” Especially when it comes to the Provenchers; they’re close friends of the family, so I know the boys well. They all attended the same boarding school I had. The oldest, Grahame, is my age and has quite the reputation, even now in our late twenties, and him married.
“Claus usually just claps me on the back and tells me well done.”
Of course, Claus knows about this and hasn’t told anyone. “How long has this sneaking around been going on, Anneliese?”
She stiffens. “Don’t try to play Dad with me, Friedrich,” she bites out, throwing my full name snub right back at me.
“If I were playing Dad, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.” Our father doesn’t yell when he’s upset. His quiet wrath is much more terrifying. And there is no discussion, just a laying down of the law. “I just don’t want you to fall into the same trap as Claus. There’s a double standard, and I wish it weren’t so, but Claus is forgiven his deviancy because it’s expected of a noble male to run wild in his youth.”
Mother would wilt at the rather unladylike snort that escapes her. “So, because I don’t have a dick, I can’t have a good time?”
I hold up my hands in defense. “That’s not what I’m saying. I just mean be careful. You don’t want the judging eyes of the commonwealth drawn to you. Mother and Father will be all over your case, and thenyou’ll really understand what it’s like not to be able to enjoy life.”
“Fine, are you done now? I came here to get away from the judgement.”
“No judgement, Liesel. I only want you to be safe. And maybe it’s a little hard for me to come to grips with the fact that my little sister is growing up.” I pull her into a side hug, made a little awkward by the fact we’re half-lying down and trying to balance our hot beverages. She places a quick kiss on my cheek just like she used to when she was little.
“Well, get used to it, Fritz. I’ll be headed to university this autumn.” She rolls her shoulders back and turns her nose up at the pronouncement.
“So you will,” I say, giving her a little tap on the nose. “Just promise me if you ever get in a bind, you come to me, okay? Call me at any hour and I’ll always have your back. Deal?”
“Deal,” she agrees, sticking out a hand for a shake.
