Page 2 of The Duke's Goddess

“Well, it’s simple. It’s because you’re our leader. We follow you. You’re the oldest,” Nobi replied.

“In that case, you should be next Nobi,” Bodi pointed firmly to Zenobia.

“Well…erm…that is to say…I’m not sure I’m the best candidate.” A flush had flanked Nobi’s terse lips and she grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed. Clutching it to her chest, almost as if she were hiding behind it, she blinked hard a couple of times in wait.

“Why is that?” Mimi asked.

“I’m just not ready yet.” Nobi’s grasp on the pillow tightened. She twisted the corners in the opposite direction and Joan thought the pillow might pop. Though, between the pillow and Nobi, she wasn’t sure which might explode first, especially since Mimi was not letting up on the questions.

“I’m going to need more than that to satisfy my questions.” Point in case.

Nobi’s hands flew to her face still gripping the pillow, and for a second Joan thought she might break down into tears.

“It’s Christopher.” She inhaled deeply. “I can’t just walk up to my best friend and say I love you.”

“Yes, you could actually.”

Of course, Mimi would say that. She was the brash one. If she wanted to say something, she just did it. Perhaps because she was the youngest and laughed at the idea of consequences.

“I can’t, Mimi. It’s not that simple. What if he says no.” Joan watched the tension laced in Nobi’s eyes. Hereyebrows were drawn together. Her lips were tight. And the crinkles in the corner of her eyes were cast downward.

“Well, he wouldn’t say no in response to what you just said. It’s not as if you’ll say,” —Mimi’s voice took on a high-pitched almost mocking tone— “Ooooh Chris, I love you. I always have and always will. And then he’ll just say,” —and then her tone dropped an octave for one word— “no. Don’t be ridiculous, Nobi.”

“I’m not being ridiculous, Mimi. You are. He might not feel the same way, and then I’d be devastated. I can’t lose him.”

“You’d rather have him as a friend than a lover?” Mimi pushed.

The red in Nobi’s cheeks darkened. “Yes.”

Mimi propped her hands on her hips and glared at Nobi. “You’re telling me right now that you would rather be friends with Chris, for a few years at most, until he marries someone else and then you lose him as a friend all together?” She stuck her finger in the air to cut off Nobi’s protests. “And in all that short time, you prefer never having been intimate with him? Not even once. Not one single kiss.”

“Mimi!” Bodi scolded for the second time in their gathering.

Mimi turned to her eldest sister, “Bodi, I’m the only one willing to tell her the truth. To paint a realistic picture for her. She needs to know what she’ll be losing.”

In a timid voice, Nobi spoke up, “We could still be friends.”

“Pfft. Nobi. Please be honest with us. We’re your sisters.” Mimi threw her hands up in the air when Nobi remained silent. “If you’re not going to be honest with us, then be honest with yourself. You cannot be his friend when he marries and starts having children. He’s a good man. Whoever he marries will be his best friend. There will be no place in his life for a female best friend who is not related to him.”

Joan would normally allow her sisters to discuss and come to their own conclusions, but seeing the tears brimming at Nobi’s eyes, she had to say something. “You’ve said your piece, Mimi. Let Zenobia think about it now. She’s already agreed to the dare, as we all have. Maybe she just needs more time.” And then Joan turned to her sister and caught a small nod from Nobi.

“That just means you’re next then, Joan.” Mimi announced.

Right. That. Why had she agreed to the asinine duke dare again? Oh, yes. Because she wanted everyone around her to be happy. She wanted to see her sisters succeed in life. Land a duke. That sounded like the best possible plan for each of them. Mostly because it ensured that Nobi finally took her chance with Chris. It would have been ideal if Nobi had gone first. But somehow they had convinced Bodi to lead them. Now, it made the most sense for Nobi to take her turn. Then, if the other sisters (her included) didn’t go through with the duke dare, at least the underlying objective had been accomplished.

Joan had her own objectives she was more concerned with, like the clandestine business she wanted to grow.

“Even though you’re looking to increase the numbers of commissions you get, you’ll have to spend a little less time hammering out daggers and a little more time hammering down a plan to snag a duke. It was the dare we all agreed to.” Mimi said. And Joan couldn’t help but notice a trace of smugness about the little one.

“And why don’t you go next, Mimi?” Joan asked.

“I’m too young,” Mimi said, crossing her arms.

“And a few weeks will make a difference?” Joan couldn’t help challenging her. It could be the one question that might buy her some time.

“We can only hope a few weeks would make a difference,” Bodi murmured.

“I heard that,” Mimi stuck out her tongue.

---