A fuzzy slipper dangled from Ellie’s foot as she jangled her leg crossed over the other. “It’s too nice a day to stay shut up inside poring over lists of music with a man who sweats through his jacket.” Her eyes popped open as a grin split her lips. “Let’s go to the Luxembourg Garden. It’s beautiful this time of year, and there’s a wonderful café to sip wine in and listen to music.”
Kat fingered the crust of her unfinished toast. She had no desire to tour gardens, drink wine, or enjoy music. Not here, and certainly not now when they fiddled to the tune of “Lili Marlene” straight from Germany. She only wanted to go safely home with Ellie—obliging or not—in tow. She crushed the corner of the toast under her thumb. But how? One wrong word or move and Ellie would toss her out onto the pavement.
“I promised Mother and Father to send them word once I got here. You know how they worry.” She dusted the crumbs from her fingers, heart racing. “I’m sure they’d appreciate a note from you.”
Ellie’s leg jangled faster. She took a long drag and blew out the smoke on a snort. “Highly doubt that.”
Kat resisted the urge to snatch the cigarette from Ellie’s pouting mouth and shove it down her ungrateful throat. Did she not see the pain she’d inflicted on their entire family through her selfish whims? For once, could she not take credit for the situation she’d put them all in instead of leaving it to Kat to smooth things over? As always. “You left without a word to them, and they’ve been out of their minds with worry. Me too. We deserve more of your consideration.”
“When did they ever show us consideration? We were nothing more than Father’s little soldiers, arranged to obey his every command while Mother paraded us around like prize brood mares in search of the next great lineage to marry us off to. You wonder why I left.”
“Like it or not, they are still our parents.”
“You don’t always have to do as they command, you know. Stop allowing yourself to be forced into situations where you’re nothing more than a slave to the Whitford wheel of cold power. Live a little, Kat. Say no.”
Ellie’s words struck a sore spot that Kat had tried to bury under familial obligation and duty. As eldest daughter, she carried certain expectations, though of late they had grown more demanding. Perhaps, if social conventions didn’t exist, she might allow herself the luxury of shedding the burdensome weight. To live as Ellie did, forging her own chosen life.
A knock sounded on the front door. Pierre’s muffled voice drifted outside in answer.
Shaking off her envious thoughts, Kat leaned forward, desperate to keep her sister’s attention before the butler came back with another interference. “I promised them a line or two from you. It would mean so much to them.”
“So much to whom?” A heavy German voice severed the string of hope she’d flung out. A tall, slender man with slicked-back blond hair and a perfectly pressed gray uniform stood in the doorway. His unblinking blue eyes bored into Kat.
“Eric, darling!” Ellie grabbed his hand and pulled him to her side. “What a surprise to see you here. I thought you couldn’t come today.”
“I had a few minutes to spare between appointments and wanted to see how the party went last night.” Releasing her hand, he leaned down and pulled Ellie’s silk robe over her bare knee. “I didn’t realize you had a guest.”
“My sister, Kathleen, but you can call her Kat. She surprised me last night. Can you believe it?” Ellie gazed up at him before swinging her moonbeam grin in Kat’s direction. “Isn’t he dreamy? I just adore a man in uniform.”
Eric’s shiny black boots clicked together as he gave a short bow at the waist. “Major Eric von Schlegel, at your service.”
Kat’s lukewarm tea threatened to come back up and spill over his despicable jackboots. “Kathleen Whitford, Ellie’s older sister.”
“Of course sisters. You have the same beautiful expression and—what do you call it? English-rose complexion.” He smiled, but the cool reserve didn’t leave his eyes.
Kat matched his emotionless smile. “The natural gloominess of England provides the perfect shade, unlike here on the continent.”
“I’m sure Eleanor is delighted to see you after so long apart, but how unexpected to see you turn up without notice. Especially in Paris.”
His tone clipped the stifling air like scissors. Kat didn’t flinch.