Her eyes lowered to his lips, and perhaps in a bout of wonder, she couldn’t help but think he might kiss her.
The wait seemed eternal, and after what felt like ages, he did not close the distance like her heart had begun to anticipate. Instead, he stepped back and walked away, leaving her alone at the end of the hall.
Nora blinked, vaguely aware of the heat rising in her cheeks as she felt frustration rise within her.
“Honestly,” she muttered, making her way back to the theatre. “What sort of man is he?”
She did not know the answer, but now she felt more willing to find out.
CHAPTER SIX
Godric was thankful the night had ended without incident as he watched Nora walk up the stairs into her father’s house from his carriage.
Once he was certain she had made it inside safely, he instructed his coachman to take him to his current home down the street, letting out a breath of relief.
As dramatic as he believed his friend to be, it was clear that Cecil’s heart and mind were in the right place, seeing as Tobias Crane was determined to be a pest in Nora’s life. Godric had fully intended to teach the man a lesson before Nora stopped him, even without knowing the full story.
But now that he knew just what Tobias had done, how he had forced Nora to bear the shame of his actions because she was the one who ended their engagement, he would not be satisfied. Not until that man had a few broken bones, enough to remind him that there would always be consequences for his actions.
And Nora… she had every reason to be vengeful and angry at her former betrothed. But all she was trying to do was move forward, onto the next man who would treat her better.
Godric was not certain that disappointment would be far from her, but he felt committed to protecting her from that too, if he could.
“At least I was there today,” he mused quietly to himself as the carriage drew to a stop in front of the house.
He disembarked, eager to gain some rest after what had been a hectic evening.
Godric had stayed out of the public eye for so long that he had forgotten how bothersome it could be when they were fixated on something or someone. It was clear he fascinated them, and his presence filled them with curiosity. He could only hope their interest in him would soon fade, as he had much to do, and the attention would only prove to be a hindrance.
He had started up the stairs to his room, but stopped, turning around and heading down, his feet taking him to that drawing room that held the painting.
Once he was before it, the flurry of restless thoughts within him seemed to calm, and he traced his eyes over the brush strokes of paint. He had forgotten to ask Cecil what the painting was called and had not done any research on it. And strangely, he was content not knowing. He preferred the mystery, felt as though it depicted his life currently.
He had so much to do, seemingly so little time. And he could not help but feel as though, for all his planning and efforts to scheme and account for every detail, things might not go the way he intended.
A knock at the door shattered his focus, and when he grunted, the butler walked in.
“There is someone here to see you, Your Grace. A Mr. Luther Millington.”
“This late,” Godric sighed, his words not coming out as a question but more like a remark. “Bring him to me.”
The butler bowed. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Moments later, his uncle walked into the drawing room, his expression somber and drawn.
“Good evening, nephew.”
“Evening, uncle.”
Luther joined him in front of the painting, his gaze skimming over the piece.
“An authentic work of the great Arnold? How did you procure such a piece? Your mother loved his works.” He observed.
“I know. I had someone find it for me,” Godric removed his gaze from the painting to shift his attention to his uncle. “What brings you here, uncle? So late, no less.”
Luther turned away from the painting and walked over to the settee to settle down. Then he raised his gaze to Godric, his eyes hard as he said,
“I have not heard from you in a few days. I was surprised to hear that you will be staying here for the time being.”
