“There’s apparently a certain kind of fabric the dress needs to be made from. It’s not like a normal party dress,” Norman elaborated.
He came from a barony, just like the Clayburns, so it was unlikely he would have more than one royal audience in his life. He knew that a person granted an audience with the king was supposed to wear attire that was both elegant and subdued, but a lady’s dress code was far outside his purview. But he was quite certain that it would take a lady much longer than a man to prepare.
“Are the jewelry and shoes also special?” Cecilia asked.
“Probably, yes. There might even be rules for hairstyle.”
“Oh dear. This is all completely over my head…” Cecilia’s voice trailed off weakly.
“Same here,” he murmured in sympathy.
There were also likely numerous other restrictions beyond the dress code that Norman was unaware of, and every matter must be tended to in preparation. A royal audience was a joyous affair, but for a common baron, it was a heavy burden; there wasn’t nearly enough time to prepare.
Norman and Cecilia sat there, looking troubled, but Hans said cheerfully. “That’s why the Marchionesses of Colet and Heyward are assisting Miss Fiona in every way possible. They have truly saved us.”
“Really? Well, that’s good news. Her father will be relieved to hear that,” Norman said.
“Yes, but they have to give her lessons in decorum and arrange her attire, hence the necessity of her staying at the estate That is what has delayed her return.”
“Well, if that’s the way it is, then I suppose there really is nothing I can do to help.” Cecilia sounded like she had accepted the situation, though a little tension had returned to her voice. She was upset that Fiona couldn’t come home right away, but she would have been even more upset if Fiona was insufficiently prepared and unable to hold her head high in the royal palace.
Hans shot Cecilia an affectionate, fatherly look, proud of her for putting her sister’s circumstances above her own loneliness.
“I’ll bet the pressure is getting to Fiona too,” Norman said.
“Oh, no, my sister will do just fine! But, Hans, if I bake something, will you take it to my sister along with a letter?”
“Of course. I know she will love that.”
“Then I’ll do just that. Hmm, what should I bake…”
Reassured by Cecilia’s bright smile, Hans left the parlor to tend to more preparations. Oblivious to the fact that she and Norman were now alone, Cecilia began to plan what she would put in Fiona’s care package.
“You’re so sweet, Cecilia.”
“I’m sweet?”
“For giving her the stuffed bunny and baking her treats.”
Looking back, in spite of her loneliness, everything Cecilia did had been with Fiona’s best interests in mind. The bunny she had sent along with Hans was one of Cecilia’s greatest treasures, and Norman was sure she would prioritize Fiona’s preferences in whatever she baked. Fiona wasn’t the type to cuddle with a stuffed animal while she slept, but the gesture certainly demonstrated how much Cecilia cared.
Yet Cecilia cast her gaze downward in discomfort. “I’m not at all sweet. The truth is, I wish she would ditch the royal audience and just come home.”
“I’m sure Fiona feels the same way.”
“Wouldn’t she rather be praised by the king?”
“This is Fiona we’re talking about. Oh, then again, she would love to see the art hanging on the palace walls. Can’t you just hear her tell the king, ‘In lieu of your kind words, please let me revel in all your paintings!’”
“Oh, Norman, you big goof! But actually…” She giggled. “Yes, she’d definitely say that.”
Noticing the cheer in her eyes and voice, Norman finally relaxed, but before long, Cecilia frowned again in worry.
“You know,” she said slowly, “talking about all this is making me a little scared.”
“Huh? Why scared?”
“I just wonder if I’m going to be okay. Oh! Um, I know that has absolutely nothing to do with my sister’s audience…”
“Ah, you’re talking about next year’s debut.”
Preparations for Cecilia’s coming of age were proceeding under Fiona’s primary supervision, and Mrs. Bennett was making her dress. Cecilia knew she would stand out, wearing a dress made by one of the most popular dressmakers in the capital; she didn’t need to worry about her attire being inadequate.
Rather, for her entire life, Cecilia had rarely left the house. The only people she interacted with outside of her family were her tutors and the citizens of the barony. She also had few interactions with youngsters her own age. This was likely what worried her.
“Fiona and your father will probably pick out the parties you’ll attend. You don’t need to worry yourself over a thing, Cecilia,” he said. Fiona and her father would never push anything on Cecilia that would burden her. Still, Norman understood why she would feel anxious. “All you need to focus on is your health.”
“Really?” Cecilia looked as though she didn’t believe him.
He gave her a resolute smile. “Besides, your father will be your escort, won’t he? So even if you trip and fall, you’ll be just fine.”
“But I might step on my father’s foot and injure him badly.”
“If that happens, I’ll take his place.”
“Huh?!” Cecilia’s cheeks burned red. A lady’s escort for her debut into high society was always either a family member or a fiancé.
“So don’t worry,” he said gently. “No matter how many times you step on me, I’ll still be able to dance. I’ll be the perfect escort until the very end.”
“Um, N-Norman, I—”
“But I wouldn’t want to make you walk if you were ill with a fever, so unless you don’t mind me carrying you in my arms in front of everyone, be sure you don’t catch a cold, and don’t push yourself too hard. Got it?”
“Y-yes,” she replied meekly, her eyes swimming. Cecilia hung her head, her cheeks turning even redder.
Damn. She’s adorable.
In that moment, Norman truly believed that the mysterious feeling in his heart was nothing more than brotherly love.