Nora nodded, some of the colors returning to her cheeks as she sniffed. Isobel was about to ask her where she had been going when she felt, but she was cut off by rapid footfalls.
“Nora! There you are! I have been searching for —”
The boy who came into view looked only a little older than Nora, but the way he looked at Isobel spoke of strength and wisdom beyond his years.
“You’re…Valerie’s twin. The one papa asked to act like her while she sleeps.” He said, regarding her curiously.
Isobel nodded. “My name is Isobel. It is nice to meet you, Cecil.” She glanced down at Nora with a smile. “And you, Nora.”
Neither child seemed surprised that she knew their name, and Isobel thought it was endearing how adorable they were, especially when Cecil stepped forward and declared.
“I want to help. Whatever you need — whatever it takes to keep Valerie safe. I will not allow whoever hurt Valerie to go without being punished.”
It was a noble declaration, clearly made out of love, and not for the first time, Isobel felt as though she had missed out on something wonderful by not getting to witness Cecil’s growth.
She loved being the youngest of her siblings, loved being doted on and cared for consistently.
But she often wondered what it was like, having younger siblings. She wondered what it would have been like to have a little boy or girl trail after her, and she had trailed after Graham. She wondered how many of her mannerisms they would pick up and embody, what they would have in common, and what would set them apart.
Cecil’s desire to avenge his sister told Isobel all she needed to know about his upbringing, and she couldn’t help but wonderwhat other spirited journeys he would have to make as he grew older.
She smiled at him, beckoning him closer. He stepped towards her without hesitation, and when he was close enough, she reached up to Pat his hair.
“That is very brave of you. You would be very popular among the ladies in Scotland.” She teased with a grin. “They value chivalry and a strong, brave heart. I can tell you possess all of those fine qualities.”
Cecil looked confused for a moment, then he asked,
“Was that where you lived? In Scotland?”
Isobel nodded. Nora and Cecil exchanged expressions of surprise.
“What was it like?” Nora questioned, her injury long forgotten.
“It was beautiful. It still is. The people are loud but honorable and good at heart. It is a lovely place, I would love you to visit sometime.” She told them wistfully.
“Do you miss it?” Cecil asked softly.
Isobel thought of the days before her father’s passing, the joy they shared after Catherine and Margaret married and returnedto Scotland to visit. She recalled the warmth that always filled the house, no matter the weather. She thought of the laughter, the games they played, and the songs they sang, each one of them excited to have air in their lungs and blood in their veins.
It was a simpler time, and although the moments that came after contained grief, she would not trade any of it for anything in the world.
She looked down at Cecil, at his innocent, bright-eyed face, and silently longed for her own youth to return.
“All the time. I miss it all, constantly.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Ineed to have a word with you,” Isobel said as she walked into her father’s study.
Isobel noted rather quickly that things were not going as planned. Not only has she been caught by three people already, but she has also made little to no progress when it came to finding any clues on who had poisoned Valerie.
The wedding was approaching, and Valerie had still not woken up, and as such, all of Isobel’s efforts to help felt rather futile.
She was tired and angry, angry at her father for not doing more to assist her on a quest he had insisted that she take. It was frustrating, and she was not sure how much more she could take.
And so, after she had put Nora to bed — the little girl had refused to leave her side for the rest of the evening — she waited until most of the household had retired for the night, and then she snuck out of her room and made her way to Gregory’s study.
Softly, she knocked at the door and stepped in when he prompted her to come in.
