Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
“That is the third time you have sighed in the last five minutes. There is clearly something bothering you, Nora. Out with it already.”
At Penelope’s demand, Nora let out a groan, hating not only how deeply her current predicament bothered her, but also how she could not help but show her upset.
She had hoped that somehow, she would have found a way to remove the obstacle – the duke – but the only one who could do that was likely thousands of miles away, sailing across the continent.
Perhaps if he had told her sooner, before his departure, she might have been able to dissuade him from taking a decision that would ultimately steal her peace. Which was likely why he opted not to tell her.
For a moment, she had briefly considered relaying the situation to her father, but she knew he would not care in the slightest about her brother’s need to shield her.
And God forbid, he decided to involve himself in her life now – what if the outcome was worse?
Nora had tried to get some sleep, hoping that the morning would come with renewed inspiration on how best to handle the matter. Or at least enough strength to face what was to come.
But she had only woken up angry and ravenous – in her fit of annoyance, she had skipped her meals the day before in silent protest. After she had consumed a filling breakfast, she set out to receive some comfort from her close friends.
Jane had noticed the anxious way she kept fussing and had proposed a promenade around the park, so they had begun to walk. Nora wanted to tell them outright, but she felt disturbed by all she had heard, and she worried her friends might see reason within her brother’s madness.
“It is so upsetting! I have never been more infuriated in my life!” Nora groaned helplessly.
“We can tell,” Penelope stated dryly. “Look, it is quite clear that something is eating you up from within. You will not find a solution by harboring it to yourself. We have never judged you or each other, and you should know that you – your worries and secrets – are safe with us.”
Her friend’s words were soothing to her nerves, and it did not take long for Nora’s shoulders to slump in defeat. With a deep breath, she said,
“My brother has ruined my season.”
Jane blinked, confusion clouding her lovely eyes. “How so? It has only just begun. Two nights ago, you were excited about the prospects –”
“That was before I learned that he had appointed the duke of Ironwell as my guardian in his absence.”
Her friends stared at her, glanced at each other before turning back to her with gobsmacked expressions.
“He did what?” they chorused.
Nora laughed, the sound as empty as her hope that the matter would be resolved somehow in a way that would benefit her.
“Oh, it gets worse. I would have assumed that the duke would rather do anything else, but he seems intent on fulfilling his role dutifully. He has promised to be by my side and involve himself as deeply as possible in my affairs. For the entire season.” Nora added, feeling even more as though she was losing her mind.
“B-But why? Why on earth would he even –” Jane sputtered, making noises of confusion.
“I have always said your brother was a pest. Now he has proven that he can be one, without even being by your side.” Penelope sighed, shaking her head.
Penelope had never seemed to like Cecil for some reason, and Nora’s brother derived an unhealthy amount of joy from teasing and arguing with the girl. Usually, when Penelope began to badmouth Cecil, Nora would defend him, but as of that moment, she was very cross with him.
How could he do this to her? He knew how much the season was to her. He knew – likely better than anyone – that she wanted things to work in her favor. And if he had any concerns, he should have addressed them with her, rather than going behind her back to enlist his friends as a nanny for her.
It was demeaning and irritating. And how dare that duke make her feel as though her brother’s concerns were justified? She had not done anything to warrant such ideas, much less to demand that she be watched so closely.
Nora was angry at Godric for treating her like a child he could dismiss, however he felt.
“I cannot help but agree,” Nora grumbled. “The moment he arrives, I am going to strangle him. He will perish by my hands. I cannot believe he’s done this!”
Her last statement was punctuated by a wail of dismay, and Penelope quickly wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
“Do not despair, my wonderful, beautiful friend. Surely there is still a way to put your plans in motion. You do not need his permission to do what you want.” She said gently.
“Perhaps not, but he will be there regardless. Watching me and following me. He is intent on being involved in everything I do for some reason, and I cannot stand the thought of it.” Nora shuddered in disgust.
She had hoped that she would have the freedom to be candid with potential suitors, to properly address those who were really interested in her, and not those who only saw her as a means to an end.
But with the latest addition to her entourage, she would be lucky if any men even came close to her.
“Hm… I think you have been given a rare opportunity, Nora,” Penelope mused thoughtfully, before she turned Nora to face her, both hands braced on Nora’s shoulders.
“The way I see it, he has added himself to your list of potential suitors. This is an excellent opportunity to see if he would make a suitable husband!”
Nora balked, shocked and appalled by the thought.
“Absolutely not. The man was as appealing as a wall made of ice. He is so… bland and unfeeling. It is rather disturbing how little emotion he shows.” She complained.
“All the more reason to give it a shot. You are familiar with his personality, so it should not take too much to get him to open up to you. If he is going to be around you all the time, you will have ample chances to try to attract him. Are you not at all curious as to what sort of man he would be when he’s smitten with you?
He is such a mystery. I feel as though it would be quite an experience to witness him as a suitor.
And he fell right into your lap! You should consider it.
” Penelope said, looking rather pleased with herself.
Penelope’s idea was as wild as her tongue was, but Nora understood where her friend had gotten her wild ideas from.
Godric had not appeared so publicly in years, and he was widely known as a man who did not care much for the requirements of society.
He lived his life privately and conducted his business discreetly.
The most anyone knew about him was his name and title, in most cases.
Attempts that had been made to foster some sort of connection to him failed, as he coldly dismissed whoever showed him any sort of interest. And as much as Nora did not wish to admit it, he intrigued her, and clearly, her friends as well.
Almost immediately, she recalled how he had cornered her against that wall, how he had towered over effortlessly in all his imposing glory. She remembered how his touch had left a burn in her mind, the warmth that lingered afterwards following her into her dreams.
That interaction left an odd sensation within her, one she had refused to name – out of stubbornness or reluctance, she would not admit to herself.
Nora continued to glare at her, wondering what on earth her friend could be thinking. She felt a tug on her hand and looked to the side to see Jane smiling softly at her.
“I am sorry that you are so upset, Nora. I imagine that you are quite frustrated at the fact that your plans were thwarted before you could even put them into motion. There must be a way for you to convince the duke that his efforts – though appreciated – are wholly unnecessary.” She said in a gentle, imploring tone.
“How?” Nora questioned helplessly. “I tried my best yesterday, but he is so stubborn – ugh! It makes me so angry thinking about it.”
“Well, firstly, you must calm down. He will not think you can be trusted to be relied on if you seem to be hotheaded and liable to turn every conversation into a fight. You must prove that you have the bandwidth of an adult. Secondly, you can try to reason with him. Cecil is overprotective – which is to be expected because he is your only older brother and you are his precious younger sister. It is in his nature to want to shield and protect you from any harm that might come your way. However, the duke has no reason to be. He bears no relation to you, and therefore, he might not understand Cecil’s reasoning behind his request. If you told him as much – gently, with emphasis, I beg of you, Nora, do not start a fight with the duke – he will see that you do not need that kind of protection.
And he might feel inclined to give you some space, at least.”
Jane’s words bore a lot of wisdom. It would be best to implore him to give her some breathing room. He is an educated man, and perhaps if she laid out her points clearly, he would listen to reason.
“All right then. I’ll do it.” Nora nodded with conviction.
“You’ll seduce him?” Penelope piqued with a grin.
“Yes – what? No! I meant – I’ll talk to him again. And try to reason with him to perish this whole ploy to follow me about as though he is my lost shadow.” Nora said resolutely.
“And remember, be calm and clear. He is less likely to give you the time of day if you are gearing up to start a fight with him. Additionally, any form of reproach will only reinforce the idea that you are too childish to be left alone. Be firm.” Jane advised, holding up a fist in encouragement.
Nora was touched by the support of her friends – even if Penelope’s advice was as ludicrous as it was unhelpful – and she pulled them into a hug.
“You do act a little like a child sometimes,” Penelope teased, stroking Nora’s hair gently. “But we would always trust you to do what is best for yourself regardless.”