Then, he rested his fork on his plate, rose from his seat, and walked toward her. He leaned close, enough for her to smell his breath. It smelled of peppermint and butter. He reached for her face, his thumb tracing her jaw.
“You’ve always had such pale, translucent skin,” he murmured, his eyes trained on her cheek. “You are the most beautiful thing in Marsleigh and all of London, Lucy. I worry about you all the time. This world is too harsh for you. It will do anything to leave a stain on you. Destroy you.”
Lucy shivered. It was a strange feeling to have at her brother’s touch. She reminded herself that this was Joshua. He could be a little too much, but she was always safe with him. He just made her feel trapped at times. Well, most of the time.
“I am not the most beautiful woman in London, and you know it, Joshua,” she scolded him. “Have you seen my friends, Victoria and Daphne? I am not made of porcelain, do remember that. I am your sister.”
“You’ve just said the words I wanted you to remember,” Joshua said, grinning, but his eyes looked different. They were hard for some reason.
What was going on with her brother? Did he take their mother’s and father’s deaths harder than she had originally thought?
“You are my responsibility, Lucy. You are my pride and what is left of our family. Anyway, I’ve prepared your tea. Drink it.You need it to keep your strength. Do not fade away just like everything else in this family.”
Lucy obeyed. She didn’t really have a choice. That was the feeling she sometimes had in her brother’s presence. It was why she wanted to rebel even for just one night and shed her delicate persona.
Her movements were mechanical and stiff, and for good reason. Every time she sipped from her teacup, his eyes were on her.
Did he have to check if she was drinking everything as if she were a child? His devotion was suffocating, and she had to choke back a sob. She told herself that she was fortunate to have a brother who cared about her, while others might have been off looking for other things—vices, women, and other preoccupations. Joshua did not forget his family, or what was left of it.
Lucy dropped her napkin, and Joshua was already reaching for it before she could retrieve it. He handed it to her, much to her surprise and bewilderment.
Then, she heard heavy footsteps approach. It was the butler. Lucy silently thanked the heavens for small mercies.
“My Lord, My Lady, the Duchess of Hawksford is here for Lady Lucy.”
“Her Grace is here at this hour? It is still time for breakfast,” Joshua grumbled, his face darkening at the thought of receiving Lucy’s friend too early. He liked taking it slow in the morning.
Lucy might agree with him up to a point, but she was happy to hear from Victoria, especially at that moment.
Victoria swept into the room, as regal and confident as ever. Joshua could no longer protest, with the whirlwind of silk, lace, and buzzing energy entering without the need for permission.
“My Lord, forgive me for intruding on your breakfast, but I am here to seek your sister’s assistance on a matter of great importance. Our dear Melody is inconsolable this morning and wants to see Auntie Lucy as soon as possible. My daughter misses my dearest friend’s doting.”
Joshua stood up and gave a perfunctory bow, but was immediately on the defensive.
“Good day to you, Your Grace. Lucy is feeling a little poorly this morning. She looks a little delicate, and a noisy nursery visit may not be what she needs at the moment,” he declared, a frown still marring his face.
Victoria was completely unaffected by his mood, though. She laughed heartily, but her eyes issued a challenge.
“Absolute nonsense! What Lucy needs is fresh air, combined with the laughter of a child she adores. Those are the bestmedicines for someone who is always locked up in her own home. However, I do respect her time and will bring her back before nightfall. I am certain that you won’t be a hindrance to a toddler’s wish, My Lord?”
Joshua’s jaw was set, and his eyes narrowed on Lucy for a few more moments before he finally nodded.
“Very well. She may have to wear a heavy cloak to brave the elements.”
And that was that.
Soon, Lucy was in Victoria’s carriage, letting out a breath that had been trapped in her chest for too long.
“Your brother was not pleased to see me at all, Lucy,” Victoria said softly. “He shouldn’t think that you’d break anytime you have to leave Marsleigh. It isn’t healthy.”
Lucy sighed, shaking her head. Her mind was still fixated on what had happened the night before. She also did not want to linger on her brother’s eccentricities.
“I’d rather not talk about Joshua. I already spend so much time with him,” she complained.
“Oh, that’s absolutely fair. Daniel was also strict to a point, but not quite like that. My brother simply felt guilty about not having been there to protect us from our cruel father, but he gaveus enough freedom. Then again, there are five of us. Perhaps that was the reason he was not quite as restrictive,” Victoria mused. “I still don’t understand your brother.”
After the short rant, the carriage fell into silence.
