Chapter 95

“You’re right—she is lovely. Those green eyes, that exquisite complexion, and that mass of curls…”

“Brook has African ancestry.”

Mother regarded me blankly. “And?”

I knew of a four times great uncle on the Laraway side of the family who’d travelled to India with Sir Thomas Roe and wound up marrying a sister of Nuruddin Salim Jahangir, the Mughal emperor. As a result, complexions darker than our own didn’t disturb us.

“Barbara doesn’t feel such a match would be suitable for a Kendall. Well, it’s more than likely her father doesn’t feel it would be suitable.”

“Indeed.” Now Mother’s tone was frigid. “If we were willing to permit an American—from California—into our midst, I fail to see where she can have any sort of objection!”

I made a noncommittal sound. “If you’ll recall, you and Father were very unwilling to accept Barbara.”

“Don’t quibble.”

“I beg your pardon.”