I went downstairs and met Aurora with her luggage beside her, poised like a statue in the morning light, and I walked to her, calling for some maid to take it to the car alongside mine, voice carrying like a soft command through the foyer’s hush. Soon my grandparents and parents came downstairs, footsteps echoing like measured beats in the anticipatory air.

“Are everything ready?” my father said to his PA, who confirmed yes, single syllable landing like a seal on our departure. And we ...