“You will watch your tongue around me. I am not one of your simple-minded friends that you can speak to so callously. If this is how you treat your guardian, then perhaps your brother made the right decision after all. You certainly need someone to watch over you this season, so you do not ruin things for yourself once more. Henceforth, I will be keeping a close eye on you at all times.” He said darkly, his eyes staring deeply into hers.
With an air of finality, he pulled away and left the room.
Nora felt her lungs release air she had not been aware that she was holding, and she dizzily slumped to the floor, her skirts pooling around her.
She could not believe this. All her plans, her aspirations, and hope for the season had been dashed.
It was all completely ruined.
Godric heard exactly when Nora left her brother’s house. It was rather difficult to ignore with the way she had slammed the front door shut.
He sighed, settling into a chair tiredly. He had begun to regret agreeing to do this for his friend. It was clear that his sister was quite… erratic, which was likely why Cecil had wanted someone to look after her closely. And with an absent father and sisters who were preoccupied with their own lives, it was no wonder his friend had no one else to turn to.
Still, he wished someone else had been chosen. He did not have the time to follow her about, not when other important tasks beckoned.
But perhaps… perhaps this would serve as a useful advantage.
With a hum, he returned to the drawing room in which he had argued with Nora moments ago. His eyes were drawn to the painting that hung high on a wall instantly, and he felt something in his heart settle.
In the lower right corner, initials had been signed.
A.D. Arnold Dexter.
A famous artist whom Godric’s mother admired. For her birthday, his father had gotten her one of his works, which he had won at an auction for her. The day he presented it to his darling wife was the day Godric had learned that tears were not necessarily a sign of grief and pain.
His mother had looked so… beautiful as she wept, her lips pulled into a smile she had worn for the rest of the day. Godric had wanted to see her smile like that again, and he pledged to find more of Arnold’s paintings and gift them to her.
She had laughed and told him she felt blessed to have such a family that loved her so much, while his father grumbled about his role being challenged by his own son.
But… he had never gotten to fulfil that promise.
Godric had mentioned in passing that his mother had been fond of Arnold’s works to Cecil. He had not expected his friend to remember, much less procure him one of the artist’s pieces.
He ran his fingers along the bottom of the wooden frame, his heart growing heavy within his chest.
“I wish you could see it, mother. It is a spectacular piece. I can see why this artist held your admiration.” He whispered, before stepping back.
At some point, the loss of his parents stopped being a glaring pain that threatened to consume his entire being and hadbecome a dull ache that existed within him. No matter how much time passed, it never seemed to fade.
Nor did he want it to.
The ache served as a reminder of what he needed to do. And he planned to do everything in his power to ensure nothing got in the way.
With a last look at the painting, he turned around and left the room, returning to the guest room that had been prepared for his stay. His things had already been brought in by the staff and arranged in an orderly manner, but he could not help but feel as though his mind was in disarray.
His thoughts wandered back to Nora, her fiery eyes and fierce spirit, and he felt drained already by her bothersome nature.
It would seem that when his friend spoke about her innocence and naivety, he failed to mention her stubbornness.
But no matter. Godric would do what was necessary and fulfil his role.
He had given his word, after all.
CHAPTER FOUR
“That is the third time you have sighed in the last five minutes. There is clearly something bothering you, Nora. Out with it already.”
At Penelope’s demand, Nora let out a groan, hating not only how deeply her current predicament bothered her, but also how she could not help but show her upset.
