“Understood, Your Highness,” Cecil teased, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Do not worry. All will be well.”
Nora managed to muster a smile as she looked up at him and she said,
“I am glad you are home. I have missed you terribly.”
“Oh, I am sure you did,” Cecil told her with a self-assured grin. “Though I am surprised to hear that Godric wasn’t better company for you. Did he simply brood as he followed you about? Perhaps that was how the suitors were scared off.”
At the mention of the duke’s name, Nora’s heart sank and she lowered her gaze, mumbling quickly,
“He was sufficient company. That was really all there was.”
“Are you sure? If he did not hold his end of the bargain, I might have to collect my offering, seeing as I spent quite a bit –”
“I am sure, Cecil. Let us not speak about it anymore.” Nora snapped, still refusing to look at her brother.
Cecil patted her head gently and pulled her even closer to his chest.
“All right, sister. You are all right. Do not worry about a single thing henceforth. I am finally home.”
Nora burrowed herself further into her brother’s arms, relishing in the warmth and security he offered and within minutes, she fell asleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Isobel told me that you kept father from interfering with my seasons.”
Cecil paused for a moment, the fruit on his fork falling back into his plate as he cleared his throat and sat back.
“You went to see her?”
Nora shrugged, pushing her food around on her plate. She could barely muster up enough energy to eat still, but she did not want to worry Cecil any more than she already had. When he proposed they have a simple brunch together so he could tell her all about his travels, she begrudgingly agreed, only because it would serve as a good distraction for a while.
She had truly missed her brother, and his presence made her feel as though everything would be all right in the end.
However, there was a twinge of guilt that was growing with every passing moment, because she wondered if she should have told him everything. Not necessarily the details of what had transpired between the duke and her, but more of what she had heard.
But could he stop Godric? Would Cecil be able to interfere in the plans of the duke? Would it be wise to send her brother forth to get in Godric’s way if he had already admitted that the relationship they had was merely a means to an end? What did that make them now?
“I had some time on my hands, and I thought it would be better served getting to spend some time with my dear family. We had an enlightening conversation when I mentioned that it was rather surprising how father had managed to remain absolved of all matters regarding my season. And then our dear sister told me that you all had to speak with him in order to ensure that things would be as I knew them.” Nora said, picking up her cup of tea.
After a sip, she grimaced at the lukewarm temperature and refilled her cup from the tea pot.
“Father claimed that unlike things with Valerie and Isobel, it was important that you received some assistance with finding a match. We stated that the matter was none of his concern and that you should be allowed to make whatever decisions regarding the whole affair – your seasons, how you wish to interact with your suitors and who it is you decided to choose – on your own. But he was adamant that he could offer you afiner choice than you could choose for yourself. To our surprise, he had already contacted a few prestigious friends who were either looking for a bride or had sons in need of wives in hopes of crafting another beneficial alliance as he had with Valerie. That was when we drew the line. Valerie and Isobel pledged to cut off all the support they sent to him if he interfered beyond necessary. I said that I would have you live at the Hadleigh manor with me, and as such there would be no reason for them to support the upkeep of this blasted place regardless. Father wisely knew that he had nothing to counter us with, so he relented.” Cecil explained casually, before popping a grape into his mouth.
“I wish you had told me,” Nora said quietly.
“Why? What point would that have served, other than to devastate you further? Have you realized… you are the only one who loves him still? Valerie and I have long since lost all respect for that old gambler. Any hope Isobel had in him was dashed by his own efforts when he had her risk her life in Valerie’s stead and never showed any concern for her well-being. For better or worse, you are all he has, but he does not acknowledge that fact, as though he cannot see it. We did not want to disappoint you during what was meant to be the most exciting – and albeit stressful – time of your life. You had more pressing matters to deal with – especially after that disgrace Tobias Crane had tried to pull a fast one on you. We simply wanted you to be happy.”
Her brother’s words were comforting, but at the same time, they pointed out that she had single handedly ruined things by herself. If only she had focused on finding a match like she hadintended to, then perhaps she would not have gotten so deeply entangled with the duke.
But she had been intrigued by him, curious to know more about him than he was willing to let on, desperate for more of him once she had gotten a taste. She allowed herself to be consumed wholly, gave up her reality and dreams because she felt there was nothing more, no one more than him.
And slowly, she felt herself fall deeper and deeper under his spell, until she inevitably fell for him. It was ironic, how her family had fought for her to be able to make her own choice on who she wished to spend the rest of her life with, and she went off to choose an impossible love to obtain.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I… I wish I had been able to make you proud by finding a proper match. I-I tried. I really did, Cecil. But I just couldn’t. Nonetheless, I am immensely grateful to you, for your trust in me and your help.”
Cecil waved a hand in the air nonchalantly. “Do not be ridiculous. You are my little sister. If I do not fight for you, if I do not covert the best the world has to offer for your sake, then my life would be useless. You deserve the best this world has to offer and this little hiccup you have faced this season has only proven that such perfection does not exist on this side of the world. You deserve someone who will worship the ground you walk on, someone who will undoubtedly choose you and your well-being each time. And it is my honor to care for you until then.”
Nora nodded, fighting back tears. She was truly blessed to have such wonderful family. And it made her wonder if she had been greedy in her search for more out of life.
