“I’d rather take my chances without you anywhere near me,” she hissed angrily.
His eyes flashed with anger, and he leaned closer.
“Perhaps I just need to show you how sincere my feelings are then.”
Horror struck Nora, and she pushed at his chest, trying to get him away from her. Suddenly, he was pulled back and tossed to the floor, an exclamation of pain and surprise leaving his lips.
Nora blinked in surprise, even more shocked to see Godric grab Tobias by his collar, his other hand pulling back in a fist to strike –
“No, don’t! Stop!”
Godric froze, and then he straightened, his hand falling from Tobias’ neck. The man scrambled to his feet and ran away in fear, leaving Nora with the Duke.
She exhaled in relief, feeling drained now that it was over. Vaguely, the aria’s voice echoed around the hallway, andNora absentmindedly wondered if they had missed her stellar finishing bit.
“I must say, Miss Nora, you are doing a rather poor job of convincing me that you do not need protection. I would say that this especially doesn’t help matters.” Godric said grimly.
Nora hung her head, feeling chastised even though he did not raise his voice.
“He is the only one who would do such a thing. Just as I thought, he could not get viler. What an irritating man,” she tsked, trying to walk past the duke.
But he immediately stepped in her path.
“This seemed more serious than a man’s attempt to be irritating. Who was he?”
Nora had hoped she would not have to discuss it, but she owed him an explanation after his assistance. With a sigh, she admitted,
“He was my betrothed.”
“And what did he want?”
“For me to reconsider breaking our engagement.”
Godric raised his eyebrows. “You broke it? What happened?”
Nora had only told her friends and Cecil what had happened. Her father has received an abridged version of events that simply claimed that Nora felt as though they were too different and a marriage between them would not work.
He had not pressed further, much to her relief and slight dismay.
And now she would have to relive the events that brought her here.
“He was everything I could want and more at first. I was utterly smothered by his charming wit and attentive nature. He brought me flowers every time we met, and he spoke at length about how he could not see a future for himself without me. Now that I think about it, I was more smitten with the idea than I was with him. Still, I enjoyed the moments we spent together, and I looked forward to what the future held for us. Then one evening… we had been dancing together at a ball, and he left to get us both drinks to refresh ourselves. I waited and waited, and when he did not return, I went to find him. And although a part of me wished I had not, I am glad I found out the truth about him before our relationship progressed further.”
Nora exhaled, feeling more exhausted as the moments passed. She has committed to telling this story because she wanted to remind herself why it was important that she moved on.
“I found him in the garden, with another woman in his arms. They were… kissing. Maybe even more than that, soon after,because his hand went up her skirt moments later. I broke out engagement the next day. I never explained why to him because I knew he was only going to lie about it to me once more. He tried to contact me, but apparently, it seems Cecil had been blocking his efforts.” She said, with a nod of finality.
Godric turned his head, staring in the direction Tobias had gone, and when he faced her again, he began to approach her. For the second time that night, Nora found herself backed against a wall again, only this time, she was not terrified about the outcome.
“This is why your brother had requested that I stay as close to you as possible. This situation is where his concern stemmed from because that man had the audacity to try to approach you again. Do not put yourself in situations that would grant him access to you. Do not wander off by yourself again. Not without me. Do you understand?” Godric questioned sternly.
Nora knew it was due to his promise to her brother that he felt inspired to desire her safety. She understood that much, but now… with him this close, close enough for her to smell the earthy warmth of his cologne, she couldn’t help but wish he had other motives.
“Do you understand?” he repeated, quieter this time.
“Y-Yes. I do.” She mumbled.
His eyes drifted between hers, studying for something she imagined only he knew, and his face drew even closer.
