Stanford and my doctorates are in Ancient Mythology, Latin and Gaelic Literature, also from Stanford.” Jullian flashed his all-too-charming smile at Mrs. Wright.
Aubrey hadn’t even known that. She knew he had a doctorate in Gaelic lit, but as for the rest of it, she’d never asked—it hadn’t occurred to her. Every time Jullian asked her about Harvard, she changed the subject. He squeezed her leg under the table and winked at her, apparently having sensed her dismay over what he’d said.
“I imagine Aubrielle has told you that she declined a full scholarship to Harvard medical school, after graduating cum laude in its pre-med program.” Mr. Wright emptied his pre-dinner glass of bourbon as he waited on Jullian’s response.
Jullian had his mouth open with what would have most likely been an overly pleasant reply, but as Aubrey started to interrupt him, her elder brother Grant arrived.
“She didn’t have to tell him, I’m sure he noticed the scarlet letter on her chest.
Really, Father, you’ve chastised her enough. Dr. Sellars, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your name is all I’ve been hearing from Harrington these last few months.”
Jullian was up and shaking Grant’s hand
quicker
than
Aubrey
could
comprehend what had just been said. “Dr.
Wright, the pleasure is all mine.”
Grant leaned down to kiss Aubrey on the cheek and whispered, “I’m still aggravated with you, but he hasn’t the right. You look good.”
“I feel good.” She grinned. Grant rarely, if ever, defended her in front of her parents. Not since ...
Shortly after her brother’s arrival, they were served a meal that was cooked by the family chef. They spoke for what felt like hours about one shallow topic after another, reveling in politics and pleasantries meant to pass the time. They acted civil to Jullian out of respect for the family name and little else. Finally, after they’d finished dessert, Jullian asked to address her father in private. She watched with dread as Jullian was escorted to her father’s den.
Grant, his face displaying the same dismay her father had shown upon the request, stepped in front of her. “Care to elaborate?”
She exhaled, not wanting to discuss it with him. She hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell them yet and somewhere during the pheasant dish she’d decided tonight was not the night. “You’ll know soon enough.”
“Aubrey, I understand the need for you to gain your independence, sow your oats so to speak. But you seem to be getting awfully serious with him. How long have you known him, a few months at the most?”
“I appreciate your concern and I understand your need to convey your disapproval, but—”
Grant suddenly looked like he might be sick. “You aren’t marrying him?”
“Is he beneath you, Grant?”
He laughed, but it obviously wasn’t out of amusement. “Have you thought about children, Aubrey, what life you will be giving your children if you marry someone like Dr. Sellars? Are you willing to live in a four-bedroom craftsman where you can practically touch your neighbors’
houses from the porch all of your life?
I’ve ignored the fact that you’ve moved in with him, but I figured it was a phase.”
She wasn’t aware that Grant knew where Jullian lived and she certainly hadn’t expected him to spy on her. “Does my happiness mean nothing to you?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, seemingly in confusion. “What does happiness have to do with this?”
“Everything.”
Grant leaned against the wall, fatigued. “Life isn’t that simple. I wish we only had our feelings to consider, but nothing in this world comes without a cost. The cost of being a Wright is sacrifice.”
“I’ve noticed,” she murmured.
Grant swished the drink in his hand and she watched the ice spin in his glass.
“Giving up on med school is one thing, breaking things off with ... whatever his name, well ... all of that may be tolerable, but Aubrey ... you’re meant
Aubrey hadn’t even known that. She knew he had a doctorate in Gaelic lit, but as for the rest of it, she’d never asked—it hadn’t occurred to her. Every time Jullian asked her about Harvard, she changed the subject. He squeezed her leg under the table and winked at her, apparently having sensed her dismay over what he’d said.
“I imagine Aubrielle has told you that she declined a full scholarship to Harvard medical school, after graduating cum laude in its pre-med program.” Mr. Wright emptied his pre-dinner glass of bourbon as he waited on Jullian’s response.
Jullian had his mouth open with what would have most likely been an overly pleasant reply, but as Aubrey started to interrupt him, her elder brother Grant arrived.
“She didn’t have to tell him, I’m sure he noticed the scarlet letter on her chest.
Really, Father, you’ve chastised her enough. Dr. Sellars, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your name is all I’ve been hearing from Harrington these last few months.”
Jullian was up and shaking Grant’s hand
quicker
than
Aubrey
could
comprehend what had just been said. “Dr.
Wright, the pleasure is all mine.”
Grant leaned down to kiss Aubrey on the cheek and whispered, “I’m still aggravated with you, but he hasn’t the right. You look good.”
“I feel good.” She grinned. Grant rarely, if ever, defended her in front of her parents. Not since ...
Shortly after her brother’s arrival, they were served a meal that was cooked by the family chef. They spoke for what felt like hours about one shallow topic after another, reveling in politics and pleasantries meant to pass the time. They acted civil to Jullian out of respect for the family name and little else. Finally, after they’d finished dessert, Jullian asked to address her father in private. She watched with dread as Jullian was escorted to her father’s den.
Grant, his face displaying the same dismay her father had shown upon the request, stepped in front of her. “Care to elaborate?”
She exhaled, not wanting to discuss it with him. She hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell them yet and somewhere during the pheasant dish she’d decided tonight was not the night. “You’ll know soon enough.”
“Aubrey, I understand the need for you to gain your independence, sow your oats so to speak. But you seem to be getting awfully serious with him. How long have you known him, a few months at the most?”
“I appreciate your concern and I understand your need to convey your disapproval, but—”
Grant suddenly looked like he might be sick. “You aren’t marrying him?”
“Is he beneath you, Grant?”
He laughed, but it obviously wasn’t out of amusement. “Have you thought about children, Aubrey, what life you will be giving your children if you marry someone like Dr. Sellars? Are you willing to live in a four-bedroom craftsman where you can practically touch your neighbors’
houses from the porch all of your life?
I’ve ignored the fact that you’ve moved in with him, but I figured it was a phase.”
She wasn’t aware that Grant knew where Jullian lived and she certainly hadn’t expected him to spy on her. “Does my happiness mean nothing to you?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, seemingly in confusion. “What does happiness have to do with this?”
“Everything.”
Grant leaned against the wall, fatigued. “Life isn’t that simple. I wish we only had our feelings to consider, but nothing in this world comes without a cost. The cost of being a Wright is sacrifice.”
“I’ve noticed,” she murmured.
Grant swished the drink in his hand and she watched the ice spin in his glass.
“Giving up on med school is one thing, breaking things off with ... whatever his name, well ... all of that may be tolerable, but Aubrey ... you’re meant
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