Godric continued to watch her until she cleared her throat, signaling that she had said all she needed to. She could only hope that he heard about the reason in her words.
The duke blinked slowly and gave her a curt nod.
“That was… a very reasonable argument, Miss Nora. And you are right. You are not a sniveling child that I need to follow closely. And although your father fails to be an… adequate guardian for you, I suppose it is true that his presence does help you behave well enough. You have shown me in your actions that you have a rather wild side —” Nora clenched her hand into a fist on top of the table to prevent herself from speaking out of turn at that. “But the efforts you have made to set up this… impromptu meeting also tell me that you can behave yourself properly.”
That was likely the best form of approval she would ever get from him. Just as her heart had begun to soar with hope, Godric added,
“However, I have a promise to uphold. A deal was made, and I must deliver on my end of the bargain. Be that as it may, I see no reason the arrangement between us cannot be tweaked in yourfavor. If you give me your word that you will be on your best behavior, I will be discreet in my efforts to watch after you. I will be close, but I will not interfere in your life unless I deem it absolutely necessary.”
The outcome was not satisfactory at all. Nora would have preferred that he swear off coming near her at all, leaving her completely to her own devices.
But she could tell that this was the best she would get and did not want to waste her efforts by starting another argument that would lead her right back to square one.
So, she raised her head and nodded firmly, holding her hand out.
“Deal.”
Godric’s gaze fell on her hand and then raised to meet her eyes. Slowly, he raised his hand and wrapped it around hers, shaking it gently. His fingers enveloped hers completely, and she was struck by how… warm his touch was.
How could a man who was so cold feel so warm?
Her mind wandered back to Penelope’s words about how he would be as a suitor. Against her will, she could not help but wonder how he treated women he was interested in.
“Anything else, Miss Nora?”
Nora jumped as his deep voice shattered her thoughts and pulled her hand away.
“N-No. That’s all. Thank you for your time.” She stuttered, rising to her feet. “I will take my leave now.”
The duke nodded, and she curtsied quickly and left her brother’s house, her heart thundering in her chest.
His warmth around her hand lingered all the way back to her home.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Iam so delighted that you could join us, Miss Nora.”
At the earnest words of Penelope’s mother, Nora beamed happily, squeezing the older woman’s hand gently.
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Waverly. I am thrilled to share this wonderful experience with you.”
“Leave her, mother. We must find our seats before the show starts. You can fuss over the daughter you wished you had afterwards.” Penelope complained, ushering her mother down the aisle.
Mrs. Waverly tutted in annoyance but complied, not without complaints of her own.
“I wish you would not be so callous with your manners. Why can’t you be more ladylike? Look at Nora, ever poised and calm.Or even dead Jane! One would think she was mute with how rare it is to hear her speak. All you do is snap at everyone.”
Penelope sighed, clearly used to such remarks from her mother.
“If everyone did not act so ridiculously, I would not need to snap, would I? Father, please get Mother to settle down quicker. We’ll hold up other people if we don’t sit down soon.”
Mr. Waverly paled, clearly not wanting to be involved in yet another argument between his wife and daughter. But with his wife’s attention now on him, he gently steered her in the direction of their seat.
“You can sit here, my darling. I know you find the seats closer to the aisle more comfortable.”
“Why, thank you, darling,” Mrs. Waverly smiled at her husband, letting him lead her to her place.
“I wish we could have come by ourselves,” Penelope sighed tiredly, taking her own seat.
