Chapter Six

My mother scrambled to provide refreshments while Eliza and Ebenezer chatted with me about the early years of raising my father and their disappointment that he opted not to stand as next in line for the crown.  They didn’t blame my mother for my father’s decision, since he’d made it long before he met and married her.  There was just a weakness in Walter Cramby that they couldn’t explain that prevented him from bearing the responsibilities he’d been born to.

I had to admire my mother’s ability to keep her cool and play hostess to a royal couple while not being intimidated.  I have to admit that, once my grandmother joined my grandfather, I found them to be a powerful force to be in the presence of.  I eyed Kenton as best I could to observe how he was doing, since he was the most in awe of them.  It seemed to me that the longer he was in their company, the more at ease he became.  That pleased me.  Don&rsq