‘I know, I know; Mama says exactly the same thing, but—’
‘But what?’
‘London isn’t what I was promised. Where is the sophistication, the elegance? So far all I have seen are drawing rooms full of small-minded harpies,’ Millie replied, pulling out of his embrace.
Charles shook his head. ‘I hope you are not setting your mind against our new home?’
She shrugged her shoulders. ‘It’s just that I had hoped London might be a bit more cosmopolitan. I know many of the English in Calcutta tended to be indifferent to the rest of the country, but I suppose I expected a little more after all that I had heard of England. It is harder to find my feet here than I had expected.’
‘But, you have to admit, it’s not all been bad. You cannot tell me you have not enjoyed shopping for new clothes, Millie. I have twice tripped over piles of boxes in the front hallway,’ Charles replied.
‘No, the shops are simply wonderful. I have never seen anything like them. I am sure one could shop for days and not venture into the same store twice,’ she replied, grateful for the change in topic.
‘Good and what about the museums? I know you have a long list of galleries, gardens and castles you wish to visit.’
Her spirits rallied at the idea as she looked at her brother and nodded. They were both going to have to find their way through the maze of London society in the coming months.
‘Thank you, Charles. You are possessed of the happy knack of finding the good in every situation. I can always rely upon you to pull me out of a miserable mood. And you are right; I shall ask Papa if he will take me to see Lord Elgin’s marbles when he next has some spare time. I hear they have moved them to a new display room.’
‘Good. You could ask him on the way to the party tonight,’ he replied.
A wave of nausea overcame her. Whether it was as a result of the large number of spiced cakes she had eaten, or from the realisation that tonight her family were to be guests of honour at a ‘Welcome home’ ball, Millie couldn’t tell.
Millie thanked Mrs Knowles for the cakes and headed for the door. As he passed the table, Charles snatched up the last remaining mawa cake, stuffed it into his mouth and followed his sister from the room.
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Copyright © Sasha Cottman 2014
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ISBN: 978-0-85797-875-2