Ivy had been a personal maid to Paulina since her youth, and Miles had been a manservant to her since she first started traveling in her twenty-seventh year. Miles provided male protection, as well as his masculine strength to any task that required a man. Both Ivy and Miles were loyal and devoted to Paulina because they had earned her complete trust, and she treated them more like friends than servants—as someone like Paulina would. Amala knew that Ivy and Miles had been here at the house along with Paulina, and she had crossed paths with them a few times. She hated to think of them leaving as well. It all felt horrible, and she wanted to yell at Paulina for having this ridiculous wanderlust that was luring her away from home right when Amala needed her most.

Amala’s thoughts stumbled to a halt when she heard Paulina declare to her parents, “I’ve been giving it a great deal of thought, and I’m hoping you will allow me the privilege of taking Amala with me.”

Everyone stopped eating, but no one said a word. Amala barely managed to keep from choking.

Paulina spoke directly to Kat first. “I don’t want you to think I’m showing Amala any favoritism, my dear vanilla sweetie. But we are family and I know we can all speak openly and honestly. You have many advantages, my dear, that are not available to our dear Amala. I’m well aware of the challenges Amala faces socially, and I think it might be wise for her to have the chance to spend some time away during this season of your life while you are needing to explore the possibility of seeking appropriate suitors. Perhaps you hesitate doing so because you don’t want to hurt Amala or make her feel left out, and perhaps Amala struggles as well.” Paulina took a bite of her food and added gracefully while she chewed in a very ladylike manner, “I have an extra sense about these things. You must trust me. Although, if anyone has any argument, you’ll have to speak up.”