Chapter 1 #2
“It is quite unfair that I am the only one at the end of your ire. And I did not mean to frighten you. I was just worried that if you stared any harder, your eyes might fall out of your heads. Surely a brother can fuss over his dear sister and her friends, right?”
“You can take your concern and choke –”
“I cannot wait until there are seas between us,” Nora cut Penelope off swiftly.
“Lies,” Cecil’s grin grew. “You’ll miss me immensely. I can already feel it. You want to cling to my coat, just like you did when we were children.”
“You have no proof that such actions ever took place,” Nora turned her nose up in the air. “And I will not miss you one bit. In fact, I think that you should leave now, rather than wait till tomorrow. The sooner you are out of my life, the sooner I can gain some semblance of peace.”
She did not really mean any of the words she had said.
Growing up as the youngest of her two siblings, she had been closer to Cecil than their older sister, Valerie.
Their sister had done what she could to shield them from their father’s coldness and detached upbringing, but after she had wed, her priorities were more on her new family – not that they blamed her.
And in her absence, Nora had grown more attached to Cecil, fondly recalling the way her other sister, Valerie’s twin Isobel, had talked about her own older brother, who was apparently similar to Cecil in many ways.
Nora had always been reliant on him, but now that he was about to embark on a Grand Tour, exploring parts of the world she could only dream about, his trip left her feeling bittersweet.
She would never admit it, but she already missed him; she could not wait for him to be away, leaving her to her devices. Her father did not care much and would not interfere in her business, so her courtships were hers to manage as she saw fit.
“Brat,” Cecil smirked fondly, tapping her nose with a finger. “As always, ladies, it was a delight to be in your wonderful presence. However, there is someone I must speak with, so I must leave you now. Oh, how my heart breaks at the thought of being apart.”
“Good riddance,” Penelope grumbled, loud enough for them to hear.
Cecil winked at her, leaving after he bowed, and Nora’s gaze followed him.
“Your brother can be quite charming,” Jane noted innocently.
“I hardly think so,” Penelope fumed, cheeks pink.
But Nora barely heard either of them. She watched her brother walk off, heading in the direction of the duke who had just arrived. At once, her instincts were on high alert, suspicion rolling around in her gut as her brother moved closer to speak to the duke.
“I do not like that one bit,” she muttered quietly.
Moments later, she tore her gaze away.
“You look well, Your Grace.”
Godric, Duke of Ironwell, snorted.
“Formality has never existed between us, Wightman. Perish those airs immediately.”
Cecil laughed, holding a hand out, “It is good to see you, Ironwell. Truly.”
Godric nodded, allowing his gaze to slip past his friend, back in the direction he had come. There stood three young ladies, one of whom he recognized instantly as Cecil’s younger sister, Nora.
When his friend had asked to speak to him, Godric had surmised it had something to do with her. Cecil did not care for much other than his siblings, and for the longest time, Nora had been his sole focus and priority.
And while Godric admired his friend’s commitment to his family, he could not help the uneasy feeling swirling within him at the thought of what Cecil had to say.
“Likewise. I am fortunate to have the honor of meeting with you, right before your journey commences,” Godric said good-naturedly.
“Ah, as am I. While I am looking forward to the wonderful sights that await me, I cannot help but miss the people I will be leaving behind,” Cecil replied, his eyes roaming back to where his sister and her friends were still standing, nibbling on miniature cakes.
Godric was not one for small talk, but he wanted to hear his friend out, extending him some courtesy he wasn’t known for, rewarded when Cecil spoke up again.
“Truthfully, I asked to see you because I have a favor to ask of you. I will be gone for quite a while, and beforehand, I have taken care of my duties and responsibilities. However, there is one small… or rather large detail I could not perfectly handle. I need you to look after my sister in my absence, please.”
Godric’s objection was immediate. “Absolutely not. I am not some glorified nurse or governess. I have duties of my own – none of which I can brush aside to play nanny. She has her father to look after her.”
Cecil scoffed, shaking his head.
“Hardly. Our father doesn’t care about the children he had a hand in birthing.
He never has. And my sister – Nora, is smart, but she is far too trusting and na?ve to be left to her own devices.
Especially with how insistent Tobias Crane – Nora’s previous betrothed – is proving to be,” he explained seriously.
Godric sighed. “I understand your concerns, truly. And I am honored you think me so reliable. But this is simply a task I cannot fulfil.”
“But you are the only one trustworthy enough to do this. The only one I know who will keep my sister safe, while ensuring she also behaves.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Wightman. But that was a respectable try.”
Cecil groaned. “I will make it worth your while.”
It was Godric’s turn to snort. “I hardly think so, since it is unlikely that you have something I would want.”
“Oh, but I do. I have something I know you want badly, and I know it is something that will please you greatly.”
There was an inflection in Cecil’s tone that made Godric pause. They did not sound like empty words, and he had never known Cecil to speak thoughtlessly. Whatever he had collected with Godric in mind was likely to be greatly appreciated.
“Fine,” Godric agreed begrudgingly. “But you now owe me a favor as well, aside from what I am to get as my reward for accepting this ludicrous request.”
Cecil grinned and nodded. “Yes, yes. Absolutely. Thank you, my friend.”
Godric nodded, glancing in Nora’s direction. To his surprise, she was looking back at him, and he could not help but notice how different she seemed since he had last seen her.
Her fair skin gleamed beneath the soft, bright light that lit up the ballroom, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She was beautiful, and her expression innocent, which explained her brother’s concern.
Godric sighed, already regretting his decision, because it was clear now.
This was going to be rather difficult.