Chapter 7

He nodded. “I know. It’s off to university for you and the Royal Military College for me. I shall miss you. I fail to understand why your father insists you go to Cambridge, instead of Sandhurst. We’d make brilliant officers and give our all for king and country—”

“Hardly. I’m not the ‘giving all for king and country’ type. Besides, there’s already one Synclaire willing to do that.”

“Harry?”

I gave him a look. “Harry. He’s just been promoted to major.” And of course Father was over the moon about it.

“Yes, but—”

I kept talking. “John will inherit the title, and I…” I tore the blade of grass in two.

“You, Thorn?”

“I believe I’ll look into becoming an architect.” I forced a grin.

“Why?”

I shrugged and said as nonchalantly as I could, “Why not? I’ve always liked to think what I could do with Thorny Walk if I’d designed the house.”

Thomas sighed. “Still, I wish you were coming along with me.”