Chapter 2 #2
In the aftermath of losing their parents and becoming wards of their older brother, they’d all found ways of coping; but they hadn’t all been healthy.
Jasper’s need to control. Moria’s biting tongue.
Noelle’s morose and withdrawn demeanor. Olivia’s pranks.
Noelle supposed that was why they couldn’t keep a governess or companion, whatever title one wanted to call the woman who was to prepare them for and chaperone them during the pending season in London.
Moria had gone back to practicing a piece by Mendelssohn. Olivia had retreated into an article in a scientific journal. Noelle looked to their brother, the patriarchal figurehead of the family, as he settled into the worn armchair. She could almost hear his inner thoughts as he glowered at the page.
Noelle looked down at the throwing knives that lay forgotten on the table.
She picked one up, toying with it in her hands.
It was so much easier to strike true this time, into the heart of the target, without anyone’s eyes boring into her.
Noelle gave a satisfied smile at the sound it made when it tore through the fabric, right in the center.
That was the very same moment the butler’s droning voice announced Jasper’s twin sister, Lady Kathleen Fleming, Marchioness of Thorne.
“I won’t ask which one of you is to blame for that,” Kathleen said, turning a haughty and judgemental brow on both brothers.
Noelle didn’t know whether to feel chastened or encouraged at her sister’s words; but loosed a breath of relief at the sight of her eldest sister.
Her red-blonde hair was swept into a braided chignon, a bright smile adorning her familiar face.
Noelle wasn’t sure why Kathleen had come, but her presence was like long-anticipated sunshine just the same.
She was either here to prepare for the season, or to share her regrets in her current state.
All five siblings stood to greet Kathleen. Jasper walked over to kiss her familiarly on both cheeks. “Always a pleasure to see you, Kitty.”
Kathleen motioned to the doorway behind her; and the nanny entered, leading two raven-haired toddlers by the hand.
Noelle bent down and held her arms out as one of her nieces toddled over to her.
Her pulse raced with nerves, feeling like her fate lay in the hands of her older siblings; but the little girl’s firm, chubby grasp and toothy smile of recognition quelled her anxiety.
Jasper leaned down to glance at the space between him and his twin sister. “And hello niece or nephew,” he said, addressing her enlarged abdomen. “Hopefully there's only one of you in there this time,” he added, glancing at Kathleen’s two small children clinging to her skirts.
Noelle took a step closer to her brother as the small child held her arms out for her uncle. He laughed as Abigail’s paunchy arms wrapped around his neck. Abigail’s twin sister, Bree, still hid behind Kathleen’s skirts.
Lady Thorne called for the nursemaid, who took both children’s hands in hers before making an exit.
Abruptly, Bree ran back for a hug from her uncle, who bent down to scoop her into his arms and cradle her tightly before letting her dart back to the nursemaid.
Noelle and her sisters looked at each other in amusement.
“You have a surprising way with children, Jasper,” Kathleen lauded, taking a cup of tea on a saucer that Olivia offered her; as well as the recently vacated and most comfortable armchair.
Every minute pleasantries were made, Noelle felt her hopes for the season floating higher up in the air, slipping through her grasp like a recalcitrant balloon.
Noelle’s chest felt tight, seeing her older sister sitting in their mother’s chair, looking so very much like her.
“I ought to be a veritable prodigy with children the way I’m besieged with youth at every turn,” Jasper retorted. Kathleen accepted a biscuit heavily laden with jam as Moria placed it on the saucer balanced on her belly.
“If you say so, I won’t argue semantics,” Kathleen retorted.
“Not to be rude-” Jasper said; but Kathleen cut him off.
“Then don’t.”
Jasper ceremoniously cleared his throat and took a seat opposite his twin. “It isn’t my intention to be curt or overly inquisitive, but what brought you here?”
Noelle choked on a gasp. Her brother had voiced the words she hadn’t had the nerve to. Kathleen took her eyes from Jasper to look at her three younger sisters with searching eyes, then a dimple held up a half-smile on one side of her face.
The sound of footsteps and doorknobs permeated the silence. Noelle turned toward the carved double doors as they opened. The butler re-emerged, followed by a woman in her mid-twenties.
“Miss Bridget Kelley,” the butler announced, then made a bow and swift exit. Noelle held a hand to her mouth and stifled the urge to laugh at her sister and her immaculate timing. Or, rather, Miss Kelley’s timing; whoever this woman was.
“My lord,” the woman said, bowing, “ladies.”
The copper coils of her hair neatly arranged atop her head bounced as she dropped into a curtsy.
She was adorned in a smart and demure mauve gown, and of taller than average height.
Jasper seemed to rock on his heels. Noelle glanced back and forth between them all, unwilling to be the first to break the silence.
Kathleen made the introductions. Miss Kelley, it seemed, had been dispatched to prepare them for the season and act as chaperone.
Noelle sucked in a breath with a surge of relief.
With Kathleen having to enter confinement soon, the younger sisters’ season had been in jeopardy.
Noelle had tried to be happy for her sister; while still feeling like she had to get to London to publish Adelaide, or to make an acceptable match.
A pair of the bluest eyes she’d ever seen flashed in her memory.
They offered apology and consolation when she’d been bereft.
Warm hands that found hers in one of her saddest moments and let her hope.
Had he let her hope for nothing? She’d never find out here in the country. This governess had to stay.