The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky Read Free Book Online Page A

“Can we finish our game?”
    Jon watched the carriage disappear around the corner. He lowered his gaze to the lad. “I’m afraid we’ll have to start over.”
    “That’s all right. Maybe it will give you a chance to win.”
    Jon’s teasing growl filled the air as he chased Andrew up the steps and back into the house.

    Kate gripped the ribbon-wrapped stem of her bouquet and followed the long procession moving slowly down the high-ceilinged hallway of Buckingham Palace. The scent of roses and jasmine floated in the air.
    She glanced at the women walking ahead of her. Each one who would be presented wore a white satin gown with a veil and carried her long train draped over her arm just like Kate. Their dresses were unique, though the rules of court dress made them share some common features.
    The soft red carpet hushed their footsteps, and the only sounds were the rustle of satin and petticoats swishing around the women’s ankles and an occasional hushed exchange between a debutante and her sponsor.
    Aunt Louisa walked beside Kate, scanning the line and sizing up the other women. She leaned toward Kate. “There is Gertrude Hoffman,” she whispered, “and I believe that is her new daughter-in-law, Priscilla.”
    Kate nodded, though she had no idea which women her aunt was talking about.
    The procession slowed to a stop as the next group entered the throne room, and a decorative barricade was placed in front of the open doorway.
    Kate shifted her weight from one foot to the other, feeling her shoes sink into the carpet. Her left shoe felt tighter than the right, and that foot was beginning to go numb. Wonderful . Soon she’d be hobbling her way into the throne room. She wiggled her toes, trying to relieve the painful sensation, but it was useless. If only she could sit down, remove her shoe, and rub her toes back to life.
    Hoping to distract herself from her painful foot, she glanced at the large painting on the wall to the left, but the rather gruesome battle scene didn’t hold her interest. She scanned the line of women ahead, trying to tell how long it would be until she reached the throne room.
    Why was it so warm and stuffy? The heavy train draped over her arm felt like a hot, sticky blanket. Moisture gathered between her shoulder blades and trickled down her back. She sighed and glanced toward the tall window to her right, wishing someone would push it open and let in a cool breeze. She smoothed her gloved hand over her skirt.
    “For heaven’s sake, hold still and stop fussing,” Aunt Louisa hissed.
    “I’m not fussing. I’m simply trying to get comfortable.” Kate straightened her posture and tried to look serene, but doubts stormed her heart.
    She tried to recall the compliments William had given her before she left the house and Julia’s encouraging words, but they faded as her aunt’s critical comments flooded back. The entire ride to the palace Kate had listened to a litany of her shortcomings and warnings of what would happen if she failed to remember her training. Why, just once, couldn’t her aunt say something encouraging or reassuring?
    The memory of Jon watching her come down the stairs rose in her mind. He seemed impressed at first, but his bland comment left her feeling deflated and full of doubt. “Good luck”? What kind of send-off was that? It sounded like something you said to a pal heading off to school to take an exam. If only he had said she looked beautiful, then she might have believed it.
    Up ahead, two pages dressed in black-and-gold uniforms removed the barricade and signaled the next group to enter the throne room. Kate’s stomach tensed. It was almost time.
    Her aunt gripped her forearm. “This is important, Katherine. Remember your training.”
    Kate clenched her jaw. How could she forget?
    The page motioned them ahead. “This way, please. Have your card ready.” He lowered his voice. “You will curtsy three times—to the king, the queen, and to Princess