AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Four
Arthur wasn’t having the best day. First, Nora had insisted to go out and his blasted carriage had almost run over a woman.
And thenthatdamned woman. Arthur memorized her features, unable to take his eyes off her. He had the strangest urge to get down from the carriage and speak to her. He didn’t even mind apologizing to her.
Then everything had gone to hell. “It’s a music hall,” she said standing outside the window. The word swirled around in his head and seemed to close in on him. His hands shook as he looked down at his lap, trying to regain his breathing. His heart thrummed erratically, and he almost lost the sensation in his hands as they grew more and more sweaty.
He saw the woman frown at him while Nora continued to badger him to go to the show. He adjusted his cravat, trying to breathe better, the flyer crumpling in his hands. He wanted to get out of there immediately. Just when he thought things would get worse, they took off.
Nora sitting on the seat opposite him continued to pout. “You could have been nicer to her.”
Arthur raked a hand through his hair. This was precisely why he rarely left the house. He didn’t know which sound or sight would set him off. After that, he was barely aware of what was happening around him. Arthur hated that he absolutely had no control over his body.
Nora looked at him with some concern. “Are you all right? You look like you might be sick, Papa.”
Arthur didn’t answer her and instead concentrated on breathing deeply. A few moments later, he tided over his overwhelming feelings.
“Father?” Nora called out. She wobbled against the carriage’s jerk and took the empty seat next to him, throwing her arms around him. “You’ll be okay.” She didn’t understand his condition any more than Arthur himself did, but that didn’t stop her from comforting her. With Nora’s arms around him, Arthur started to feel better already.
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” he said patting her hand.
“Are you certain?” Nora asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I’m sorry for not getting out of the carriage. I’m feeling a little under the weather.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Nora said in a reprimanding tone. “You need to be in bed. Once we get home, I’ll ask the matron to cook some nice chicken broth for you. That will make you feel good in a jiffy.”
“Thank you, Nora. That sounds amazing. I would love that.” When the darkness grew too dark in his life, she was the shining light at the end of the tunnel.
When they reached home, Ramon met them at the door to take away his overcoat. “I hope you had a good afternoon, sir.”
Arthur winced at the thought. “As good as it can be. Ramon, fix me a scotch.”
Ramon raised an eyebrow, but he knew better than to contradict his master. “Yes, of course, Your Grace.”
The governess arrived to take Nora away, but she wasn’t ready to leave yet. “Papa why can’t we go down to the music hall? I want to see them perform.”
Arthur sighed. He didn’t know how to explain everything to her without telling her what had happened that awful night. “The truth is, I don’t care for music.”
“You don’t like it?” Nora asked. “Not even when I play?”
Arthur swallowed. The truth was that he had never heard her play. Arthur didn’t want to deprive Nora of her music lessons but whenever he heard the faintest sound of music, he would lock himself in the other wing of the house, away from everyone else so that he wouldn’t be able to hear any sound. So far, it had worked to calm his rising panic.
Arthur didn’t know how to tell her the truth without hurting her. “Of course, I like it when you play.”
“Which song?” she asked.
Arthur swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“Which song did Mrs. Cooper teach me last week?” Nora asked, looking up at him expectantly.
Arthur looked at Mrs. Cooper for an answer but the older woman was looking at him expectantly too. He almost withered at the collective gazes of both. Arthur cursed under his breath.
At last, Arthur was forced to admit the truth. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean?” Nora asked. “Surely you must have heard me playing. You never leave the house.”
“I’m not around when you play,” Arthur said, looking away.
