Cecil laughed nervously and took a step back as he glanced between them.
“Well, you see — it is rather funny when you think about it.”
“I do not appear to be laughing, brother. What have you done?” Nora demanded, folding her arms.
Barely ten seconds of her glare, and her brother relented, admitting sheepishly to the duke.
“I might have… forgotten to mention our arrangement to her.”
Godric scoffed. “Unbelievable.”
“It skipped my mind! Time has gotten away from me at an alarming rate lately. You know, with preparations for my journey and such. Speaking of which — I must take my leave now. Unfortunate, but I cannot afford to miss my shop!” Cecil said, standing straighter.
“But—” Nora tried to protest as he pulled her closer into a quick embrace and a kiss to her cheek before he ran out of the room.
Nora stared off at the empty doorway, confused and annoyed by her brother’s strange behavior. Then she faced the duke expectantly, raising an inquisitive eyebrow without speaking.
Godric, in turn, lifted his eyes to the ceiling, clearly wishing he were elsewhere at the moment. But Nora would not relent, clearing her throat and folding her arms stubbornly.
With a sigh of resignation, the duke said,
“I believed he would’ve told you, long before he requested my assistance. But then again, I suppose he intended to leave all his duties to me. Miss Nora, in return for that,” he pointed at the painting, “Your brother asked me to look after you for the duration of his grand tour. It is my understanding that you will participate actively in the season’s events. I am to accompany you and keep you safe during those times, all the while temporarily inhabiting your brother’s estate. To be… close to you.”
He gave her a cool look, his dark eyes raking over her form swiftly as he added,
“As I said earlier, it is an arrangement neither of us orchestrated. But I am sure that we can coexist peacefully.”
CHAPTER THREE
“Ibeg your pardon?”
The words were out of Nora’s mouth before she could think, and they only served to further fuel her anger.
She could not believe her brother had done such a thing — what’s more, without speaking to her about it.
Cecil might look as though he never took anything seriously, but he was the most purposeful person Nora knew. Her brother took deliberate steps every day, made concise decisions that would tie in perfectly with his well-being and that of his family — Nora especially. He was not one for casual choices, so she knew he had decided this long ago.
And had deliberately failed to inform her, so as to leave her with no other choice.
“This is unacceptable. He cannot simply put a stranger in charge of me as though I am some — some sort of pet that needs to be watched closely! I am neither a pet — nor a child! I do not need you or anyone fawning over me like a governess. I have long since begun to take care of myself, and I fully intend to do so, even in his absence. It was one thing for him not to trust me enough to do that, and another thing entirely for him to entrust me to your care.”
Nora was breathing heavily now, still not done speaking but feeling somewhat satisfied, following her outburst. She had expected to be interrupted or scolded for raising her voice at the duke. But he had simply watched her silently — almost patiently, as though he were waiting for her rambling to end.
His silence filled her with unease and heightened her rage as well. How dare he make her look childish with her complaints? Surely, he had better things to do than to spend his days following her about. There had to be a way to appeal to his senses to leave her to her devices, as she was meant to be.
“I do not need a guardian. I am not engaging in any activities that would risk my life. I am not going to war, for Christ’s sake. So, the whole arrangement was wholly unnecessary.” She added, her breathing starting to calm down.
Godric waited until it was clear she did not intend to speak up again. Then he parted his lips to address her,
“I agree completely, Miss Nora.”
Nora blinked at him, surprised by his easy admission.
“Y-You do? Really?”
Godric nodded sagely.
“Certainly. You are not an infant child whose movements need to be monitored so closely. You do not appear to be in any immediate danger, nor are you a person of interest in any legal cases — that I am aware of — and as such, it is rather much imposing such a detail on you. I do wish your brother had at least spoken to you about it beforehand, so that a decision would have been reached together. It is rather unfair — to you who must endure this outcome.”
