And suddenly she missed the heat of Godric’s touch and even his disinterested manner of speech.
I must be mad, Nora thought.How is it that I want to cause him immense pain and anger for all he has put me through one moment, and in the next I long for him?
Scarcely had that thought settled when the masters of ceremony appeared by the entrance to the ballroom and announced,
“Introducing, His Grace, the Duke of Ironwell.”
It was as though the world around her had fallen silent and still as Godric walked through the doors. He looked infuriatingly handsome and a little too pleased as he made his way towards her, stopping when there was a single foot of distance between them.
“Good evening, Miss Nora. My apologies for my tardiness. I had personal matters to attend to.” He told her in a voice that was far too innocent to mean well.
“I do not even know why you bothered to come at all,” Nora said, seething. “No one wants you here. I cannot fathom why you consistently refuse to understand that.”
“That is simply not true. I did receive an invitation to this gathering. And if I were absent, then I wouldn’t be able to monitor you close enough. We both know you tend to get yourself embroiled in trouble. It really is best to ensure that you are looked after.” Godric leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Constantly. Otherwise, how am I to expect you to behave when it that you cannot be trusted to dress appropriately?”
Nora stepped back, her eyes flashing angrily.
“I still fail to see how my clothing choices concern you, Your Grace.”
Godric’s gaze swept over her slowly, the glance seemingly going on for eons until his eyes met hers again and he said,
“I can promise you, Miss Nora, you will soon discover why everything you do is my concern. For now, I implore you to enjoy your evening — whilst keeping in mind that you are not to do anything that I would not approve of. If you can manage that, I will keep my interference at a minimum.”
The duke glanced at the man she had been speaking to and when he scrambled forward, likely to greet him, Godric simply walked past him without even a nod of acknowledgement.
“I’m — I am sorry,” Nora apologized, unsure what for as she curtsied and walked back to her friends.
As soon as she was close enough, she asked Jane,
“Why is he here? He said he was invited. Previously he had escorted me according to the invitations I had graciously — and begrudgingly — extended. I did no such thing this time and yet here he is! He even says he has an invitation!”
It was all she could do to keep her voice lowered and her tone even, and she hated how easily the duke riled her up, how quickly she lost the battle of reason when he was around.
“I-I did not know – my mother had mentioned wanting to invite him, due to the recent public sightings of his attendance at other social gatherings! And I did not think she would go ahead to do that much because she sounded unsure. If I knew, I would have told you as much. I promise.”
Nora inhaled shakily, taking her eyes off her friend momentarily to follow Godric’s confident steps across the ballroom, making up her mind instantly.
“No matter,” she said, straightening her posture. “I will just revert to my original plan. I will make him regret trifling with my affairs. I had promised to give wrath that is akin to war. I must ensure that I remain a woman of my word.”
It was time he understood the same class of anger he had given her.
The evening progressed smoothly and just as Nora had expected, Godric had stayed as close to her as possible, which put him in the most ideal place for her ire.
When Jane’s parents; Mr. Robert Fenwell and Mrs. Beatrice Fenwell walked up to them to appreciate the duke’s presence at their dinner party, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, prepared to do what she needed to.
“Your Grace, it is an honor to have you in our humble abode.” Robert greeted with barely restrained glee, as he and his wife bowed slightly.
“The honor is mine. I appreciate your invitation greatly.” Godric nodded curtly.
“You are certainly a welcome sight among us simple folk. I believe that we have used up whatever good fortune we were meant to have for the rest of the year,” Beatrice smiled.
“I would not count my chickens just yet, Mrs. Fenwell. The duke carries something of a dark cloud with him wherever he goes, so if I were you, I would prepare for an unexpectedly underwhelming evening. His presence might sparkle, but he makes for boring company.” Nora scoffed, daintily fluttering her eyelashes in Godric’s direction.
“That is not a nice thing to say, Nora,” Beatrice scolded. “Do not insult our guest in such an uncouth manner.”
“I am afraid she is quite right,” Godric admitted calmly, much to Nora’s surprise and dismay. “My social skills are quite… disappointing. Which is why I am thankful to have been given the honor of chaperoning Miss Nora for her season. She has taught me a thing or two on relating with others, though I still have much to learn.”
“I fear you are shaping up to be a hopeless student, Your Grace,” Nora sighed, her tone saccharine. “Perhaps it would be best for you to simply stay out of sight, like some horrific creature condemned to the walls of his tower.”
